Tom Brown's Schooldays (2005) (TV)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Dave Moore

Writers:

Thomas Hughes (novel)
Ashley Pharoah (writer)

Release Date:

1 January 2005 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Punishment | Fight | Bullying | School | Boarding School

Cast

Julian Wadham	...	Squire Brown
Alex Pettyfer	...	Tom Brown
Stephen Fry	...	Dr. Thomas Arnold
Jemma Redgrave	...	Mary Arnold
Harry Michell	...	East
Joseph Beattie	...	Flashman
Gary Powell	...	Groom
Amanda Boxer	...	Matron
Georgia Moffett	...	Sally
Gerard Horan	...	Bill
Max Benitz	...	Huband
Ben Tillett	...	Speedicot
Tom Allen	...	Fothergill
John Carlisle	...	Mr. Lampard
Stephen Boxer	...	Mr. Smith

Runtime:

93 min | UK:120 min (including commercials)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | UK:12

Filming Locations:

Aldenham School, Elstree, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Company Pictures

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In the time period the movie was set, modern orthodontic braces had not been invented and therefore weren't used, but one boy is clearly seen wearing them during the rugby scene.

Movie Connections:

References The Shining (1980)

Brown, Flashman, East, Arthur and the Doctor return to strut their old-school stuff

Stories like Tom Brown's Schooldays are so timeless and touching that they deserve retelling for each generation; however they still need to be done justice. This adaptation is as good as any of the previous incarnations, although it brings more human qualities and perhaps a tinge of darkness to the story than its predecessors. Stephen Fry, cast into the pivotal role of the incoming headmaster Dr Arnold, is frequently bemused and bewildered by the chaos of Rugby school and how he might overcome it; this is a contrast to other Dr Arnolds who have demonstrated greater moral certainty and determination. Even Tom Brown himself shows a gritty and mean streak not before seen, although it's pleasing that the Flashman in this version is just as conceited and vile as he is anywhere else.

Tom Brown's Schooldays explores so many important themes: school, adolescence, bullying, thuggery, class hierarchy and eventually death. It's a busy narrative that doesn't dwell too long on any one storyline, whipping through subplots quickly but with sufficient panache. The Rugby school settings are not only authentic but atmospheric and suitably claustrophobic when they need to be, while the cast is both eager and energetic, but subtle when the script requires it. When this story is told well it almost leads you to feel you've been with Tom Brown all through his schooldays, and this telling certainly has that aura. I challenge anyone to sit through this and not to feel satisfied when Flashman is finally shown the door...