Dead Poets Society [1989]

True, the script is cliched at times and the battle between adults and teens is hackneyed, but no one can deny the emotional power of the "Captain My Captain" scene, where the class defiantly stand on their desks, or the moment when Williams inspires his class with the motto "Carpe Diem". Indeed it is the relationship between Williams and his pupils that enables Weir to raise the film above what could have been over-sentimental slosh, with Williams' trademark improvised monologues injecting humanity (even in a relatively serious role) into the central character. The result is an inspirational story that stands up to repeat viewings.

On the DVD: Dead Poets' Society is anamorphically enhanced for this special edition and the changing seasons of New England are beautifully recreated with rich earthy tones dominating the location scenes. Special attention has been paid to the audio track with the dialogue crisp and clear throughout. Extras are good, including retrospective interviews with cast and crew in the "Scrapbook" feature, an unedited scene that was originally part of a planned montage, the trailer and a couple of featurettes, both dealing with the technical aspects of the shoot. There's also an audio commentary from director Weir, John Seale and screenwriter Tom Schulman.--Kristen Bowditch

Dead Poets Society is set in post-depression 1950's America and is the story of six teenage boys at one of the top high schools in the country as they reach the end of their education. As the saying goes "boys will be boys" but they have never really been allowed an outlet for this boyish spirit and expression. The characters we see at the beginning are self-assured and cocky but underneath they are just insecure little boys who need something to hold onto. This however is before the arrival of Professor John Keating, marvellously portrayed by Robin Williams, who takes the boys as their new English teacher. The boys first, and probably most memorable meeting with Keating is in their first lesson with him as their teacher. He enters the room and tells them to turn to a page in their books before promptly telling them to tear it out because it is nonsense. This has a profound impact on the boys whose usual lessons call for conformity and adherence to all rules and this is all turned on its head and blown away by a figure of authority. By this point the group realise that this man means business and they also realise that they might just be interested. He then tells the boys to gather round him before uttering the immortal line "We are all part of a beautiful play, you will have a chance to contribute a part, what will it be?". Dead Poets Society is full of small carefully thought out touches such as this, which make it the beautifully ambient film that it is. This film really does glow with an almost tangible atmosphere created by the combination of true believability and circumstances so terrible you dread to think that they could really happen.

However the film takes on a rather darker tone towards the end. After all the inspiration and reason for life that Professor Keating has given the boys an event takes place that rocks the foundations of all they have come to learn and believe. This is an excellent choice of plot over the altogether overused and boring route that the film could so easily have taken by keeping the plot unchallenging and open to a "wider audience". Or in other words to able to make more money. It is ironic that the very thing that makes this film appealing is the fact that it wasn't designed to be appealing.

Dead Poets Society is an inspiring and thought provoking film from director Peter Weir. The superb acting of the boys played by Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke and Gale Hansen brings this epic script to life and gives the film the emotional credibility that makes it outstanding. Weirs intimate directing style draws you into the story so that you almost develop a bond with the characters and you really care what happens to them. It is both uplifting and devastating. It is this mixture of emotions that the film conjures that makes it so enjoyable. The artistry of the film in its portrayal of the characters progress from insecure boys with no meaning to their lives to independent and loyal men who have a passion for life is, at worst, magical and at best breathtaking, awe inspiring and brilliant all at once. When watching the film one almost feels like one of Keating's students in the classroom, being enlightened and inspired, discovering a new vigour for life, a new reason for getting out of bed in the morning and seizing the day. I recommend this film to anyone, old or young, who feels that they have lost there way on the path of life and needs setting straight again. Carpe Diem - seize the day and go and see this film and I guarantee you will be crying and laughing and making magnificent plans for doing things that you've always wanted to do but never really saw a reason for, and now you will know that reason, simply that you have the day so go out and seize it!


Make your lives extraordinary   April 5, 2006
Harry Parsons
22 out of 22 found this review helpful

I still remember fondly seeing this at the cinema back in 1989. It's as fresh now as it was then and still totally inspiring. Every time I watch this it leaves me feeling inspired and ready to grab life by the horns. "Make your lives extraordinary boys" says Robin Williams. It serves as a constant reminder that one day you'll be gone and quite probably forgotten, so make the most of your life and seize the day. The ending still kills me even now. An often overlooked classic.


Oh Captain, my captain   June 30, 2005
Mr. D. A. Cure (Droitwich)
16 out of 17 found this review helpful

This has to have one of the best endings in film history. Robin Williams is brilliant as the rookie English teacher who persuades disillusioned school kids to re-capture their thirst for life and creativity. If you're ever feeling at a loss, or frustrated, just watch this to give you a kick in the right direction!


Carpe Diem!   August 12, 2005
L. Erin (Doncaster, UK)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

This film is - with out a doubt - one of the most touching films I have ever seen! I don't want to give away the ending, but I can't watch it without crying! I think Neils Father is a bit extreme - but I wasn't around in 1959 so I don't know how people acted - but I sure as hell wouldn't put up with it!
My fave character is Charlie Dalton a.k.a. Nwanda! I love his comedy - and I love it after he picks up that phone in the assemby - I laugh my head off every time! I also like it after he is punished for it, and neil calls his name and he says - "Dammit Neil! The name is Nwanda." I thought that was brilliant!
Anyway - you have to go and buy this film it is really really good! So watch it! You won't be dissapointed!


"And what will your verse in the poem of life be?"   November 17, 2002
Themis-Athena (from somewhere between California and Germany)
15 out of 18 found this review helpful

"I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." (Henry David Thoreau, "Walden.")

Hands up folks, how many of us discovered Thoreau after having watched this movie? *Really* discovered I mean, regardless whether you had known he'd existed before. How many believe they know what Thoreau was talking about in that passage about "sucking the marrow out of life" cited in the movie, even if you didn't spend the next 2+ years of your life living in a self-constructed cabin on a pond in the woods? How many bought a copy of Whitman's poems ... whatever collection? (And maybe even read more than "Oh Captain! My Captain!"?) How many went on to read Emerson? Frost? Or John Keats, on whose personality Robin Williams's John Keating is probably losely based? Few movies have as powerful an appeal as this one; few people who have watched it did not feel compelled to go out and "seize the day" every single day, ever after. And justifiedly so: despite the fact that charismatic Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard), one of the movie's main characters, tragically falters in the pursuit of his dreams (even in the wake of apparent triumph), ultimately this movie is a celebration of free will, independent thinking and the growth of personality; embodied in its closing scene.

Of course, lofty goals such as these are not easily achieved. Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke) in particular, the last scene's triumphant hero, is literally pushed to the edge of reason before he learns to overcome his inhibitions. And Thoreau said in "Walden:" "If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; That is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them." Anyone who takes this movie's message to heart (and Thoreau's, and Whitman's, and Emerson's, Frost's and Keats's) knows that success too easily won is often no success at all, and most of our truly important accomplishments are based on focus, tenacity and hard work as much as on anything else. And prudence, too ... dashing Charlie Dalton (Gale Hansen) pays a high price for his spur-of-the-moment challenges of authority; although of course you just gotta love him for refusing to sign Keating's indictment. "Carpe diem" - live life to its fullest, but always know what you are doing, too.

You won't enjoy this movie if you are afraid of letting your mind and your feelings run free. Shot on the magnificent location of Delaware's St. Andrews Academy, "Dead Poets' Society" is visually stunning, particularly in its depiction of the amazingly beautiful scenery (where the progression of the seasons mirrors the progression of the movie's story line), and it is as emotionally engaging as it invites you to mentally reexamine your position in life. Robin Williams delivers another Academy Award-worthy performance (he was nominated but unfortunately didn't win). Of course, Robin Williams will to a certain extent always be Robin Williams ... "Aladdin's" Genie, "Good Morning Vietnam's" Adrian Cronauer and "Good Will Hunting's" Professor McGuire (the 1997 role which would finally earn him his long overdue Oscar) all shimmer through in his portrayal of John Keating; and if you've ever seen him give an interview you know that the man can go from hilarious and irreverent to deeply reflective in a split second even when it's not a movie camera that's rolling. Yet, the black sheep among Welton Academy's teachers assumes as distinct and memorable a personality as any other one of Williams's film characters.

Of its many Academy Award nominations (in addition to Robin Williams's nomination for best leading actor, the movie was also nominated in the best picture, best director [Peter Weir] and best original screenplay categories), "Dead Poets' Society" ultimately only won the Oscar for Tom Schulman's script. But more importantly, it has long since won it's viewers' lasting appreciation, and for a reason. - As the Poet said: "Camerado! This is no book; Who touches this, touches a man" (Walt Whitman, "So Long!"), this is no movie; who watches this, watches himself!