Dead Poets Society (1989)

Maverick teacher John Keating uses poetry to embolden his boarding school students to new heights of self-expression.

Director:

Peter Weir

Writer:

Tom Schulman

Stars:

Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke

Top Rated Movies #216 | Won 1 Oscar. Another 19 wins & 18 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robin Williams	...	John Keating
Robert Sean Leonard	...	Neil Perry
Ethan Hawke	...	Todd Anderson
Josh Charles	...	Knox Overstreet
Gale Hansen	...	Charlie Dalton
Dylan Kussman	...	Richard Cameron
Allelon Ruggiero	...	Steven Meeks
James Waterston	...	Gerard Pitts
Norman Lloyd	...	Mr. Nolan
Kurtwood Smith	...	Mr. Perry
Carla Belver	...	Mrs. Perry
Leon Pownall	...	McAllister
George Martin	...	Dr. Hager
Joe Aufiery	...	Chemistry Teacher
Matt Carey	...	Hopkins

Storyline

Painfully shy Todd Anderson has been sent to the school where his popular older brother was valedictorian. His roommate, Neil Perry, although exceedingly bright and popular, is very much under the thumb of his overbearing father. The two, along with their other friends, meet Professor Keating, their new English teacher, who tells them of the Dead Poets Society, and encourages them to go against the status quo. Each does so in his own way, and is changed for life.

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Plot Keywords:

english teacher | professor | education | suicide | poet | 

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Taglines:

He was their inspiration. He made their lives extraordinary.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Tom Schulman's script was partly based on his own experiences at Montgomery Bell Academy, an all-boys preparatory school he attended in Nashville, Tennessee, and his professor there, Samuel F. Pickering Jr.

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Goofs

At the beginning, after the procession arrives where the headmaster is, we can see the two first boys going to sit. Then, when the man holding the candle approaches the pew, we can see them going to sit again.

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Quotes

Todd Anderson: Mr. Keating! They made everybody sign it.
Mr. Nolan: Quiet, Mr. Anderson.
Todd Anderson: You gotta believe me. It's true.
John Keating: I do believe you, Todd.
Mr. Nolan: Leave, Mr. Keating.
Todd Anderson: But it wasn't his fault!
Mr. Nolan: Sit down, Mr. Anderson! One more outburst from you or anyone else, and you're out of this school! Leave, Mr. Keating.

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Alternate Versions

TV version shown on USA Network (and released on laserdisc) includes 14 minutes of extra footage not included in the original theatrical release.

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Connections

Referenced in Make or Break TV: The New Adventures of Beans Baxter (2008)

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Soundtracks

Ridgeway Fight Song
Written by Jerry Rehberg

User Reviews

Poetry on the screen

Not only will this movie touch your heart and bring tears, it will inspire you to be a better teacher to others and to follow your dreams no matter what the boundaries may be. It is truly poetry on the screen... a great story and a touching social commentary on humanity and life's greatest challenges. If you haven't seen it yet, rent it now. It has taken my love of poetry to an entirely new level!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Latin

Release Date:

9 June 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

La société des poètes disparus

Filming Locations:

Everett Theatre - 47 West Main Street, Middletown, Delaware, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$16,400,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$340,456, 4 June 1989

Gross USA:

$95,860,116

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$235,860,116

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures, Silver Screen Partners IV, A Steven Haft Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min 140 min (laserdisc)

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby Stereo (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1