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The History Boys (2006)

 -  Comedy | Drama  -  13 October 2006 (UK)
6.7
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Ratings: 6.7/10 from 13,491 users   Metascore: 74/100
Reviews: 154 user | 109 critic | 32 from Metacritic.com

An unruly class of gifted and charming teenage boys are taught by two eccentric and innovative teachers, as their headmaster pushes for them all to get accepted into Oxford or Cambridge.

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Title: The History Boys (2006)

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Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 2 wins & 11 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Samuel Anderson ...
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Jamie Parker ...
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Clive Merrison ...
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Storyline

In 1980s Britain, a group of young men at Cutlers' Grammar School all have the brains, and the will to earn the chance of getting accepted in the finest universities in the nation, Oxford and Cambridge. Despite the fine teaching by excellent professionals like Mrs Lintott in history and the intellectually enthusiastic Hector in General Studies, the Headmaster is not satisfied. He signs on the young Irwin to polish the students' style to give them the best chance. In this mix of intellectualism and creative spirit that guides a rigorous preparation regime for that ultimate educational brass ring, the lives of the randy students and the ostensibly restrained faculty intertwine that would change their lives forever. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

school | headmaster | teacher | oxford | class | See more »

Taglines:

Meet The Boys Who Are Making History! See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and sexual content | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

13 October 2006 (UK)  »

Also Known As:

History Boys  »

Box Office

Budget:

£2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$100,803 (USA) (22 November 2006)

Gross:

$2,706,659 (USA) (23 February 2007)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scene following the reenactment of the final scene of "Now Voyager" with Bette Davis and Paul Henreid, a picture of Bette Davis is clearly visible over Hector's shoulder. See more »

Goofs

The locker room at the school has a passive Infra red detector clearly visible over one of the doors more recently used for intruder alarm systems. This type of device would not have been available until the early 1990s. See more »

Quotes

Mrs. Lintott: History is a commentary on the various and continuing incapabilities of men. What is history? History is women following behind with the bucket.
See more »

Crazy Credits

At the beginning of the film, the title - "The History Boys" - is taken letter by letter from random parts of an essay on the dissolution of the monasteries, a common history topic, Which the History Boys themselves write later on in the film. See more »

Connections

References The Mikado (1939) See more »

Soundtracks

"This Charming Man"
Written by Morrissey (as Stephen Morissey) and Johnny Marr
(c) Warner/Chappell Music Ltd / Universal Music Publishing Ltd
Performed by The Smiths
Licensed courtesy of Rhino UK
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User Reviews

 
Almost a First
17 October 2006 | by (UK) – See all my reviews

A very good film - not setting black against white but looking at flawed people and complex arguments. Also brilliantly funny.

Not quite as good as the play because some balance was lost - I think this was due to pressure of time, A lot of the classroom debate and argument was shortened, the glimpses into the present were omitted so that Irwin's descent into pure spin was not seen and a couple of the boys characters weren't fleshed out enough. This combined to throw the obviously shocking scenes, such as Hector's behaviour, too much into the centre of the film. The classroom performances also jarred as a bit too theatrical, whereas on stage they were believable, apt and very funny.

Worryingly realistic sets – I thought I'd put the smell of school classrooms well behind me - and memorable performances from the entire cast. Jamie Parker, Andrew Knott, Samuel Barnett and Frances de la Tour were the standouts for me, but I still can't decide whether it was their performances or the characters they played.


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