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Dead Poets Society

  • 1989
  • PG
  • 2h 8m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
514K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
882
147
Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society (1989)
In the mood for tears? Whether you want a happy cry from 'Rudy' or a fast cry from 'Up,' we've got the perfect list of all the movies you should watch ASAP.
Play clip1:48
Watch What to Watch When You Need a Good Cry
8 Videos
99+ Photos
ComedyDrama

Maverick teacher John Keating uses poetry to embolden his boarding school students to new heights of self-expression.Maverick teacher John Keating uses poetry to embolden his boarding school students to new heights of self-expression.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
  • See production, box office & company info
    • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    514K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    882
    147
    • Director
      • Peter Weir
    • Writer
      • Tom Schulman
    • Stars
      • Robin Williams
      • Robert Sean Leonard
      • Ethan Hawke
    • 779User reviews
    • 122Critic reviews
    • 79Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Top rated movie #200
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 20 wins & 19 nominations total

    Videos8

    What to Watch When You Need a Good Cry
    Clip 1:48
    Watch What to Watch When You Need a Good Cry
    What to Watch When You Need a Good Cry
    Clip 2:25
    Watch What to Watch When You Need a Good Cry
    'Dead Poets Society' | Anniversary Mashup
    Clip 1:36
    Watch 'Dead Poets Society' | Anniversary Mashup
    Dead Poets Society: Blu-Ray
    Clip 1:17
    Watch Dead Poets Society: Blu-Ray
    Dead Poets Society: Blu-Ray
    Clip 1:26
    Watch Dead Poets Society: Blu-Ray
    Dead Poets Society: Blu-Ray
    Clip 1:48
    Watch Dead Poets Society: Blu-Ray
    Head Back to School With These Classic Movies and TV Shows
    Interview 3:06
    Watch Head Back to School With These Classic Movies and TV Shows
    When You Need a Good Cry
    Video 1:51
    Watch When You Need a Good Cry

    Photos228

    Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society (1989)
    Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society (1989)
    Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, Josh Charles, Gale Hansen, Dylan Kussman, Allelon Ruggiero, and James Waterston in Dead Poets Society (1989)
    Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Josh Charles, Allelon Ruggiero, and James Waterston in Dead Poets Society (1989)
    Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society (1989)
    Robin Williams and Dylan Kussman in Dead Poets Society (1989)
    Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society (1989)
    Robin Williams and Allelon Ruggiero in Dead Poets Society (1989)
    Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society (1989)
    Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Josh Charles, and Gale Hansen in Dead Poets Society (1989)
    Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society (1989)
    Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robin Williams
    Robin Williams
    • John Keating
    Robert Sean Leonard
    Robert Sean Leonard
    • Neil Perry
    Ethan Hawke
    Ethan Hawke
    • Todd Anderson
    Josh Charles
    Josh Charles
    • Knox Overstreet
    Gale Hansen
    Gale Hansen
    • Charlie Dalton
    Dylan Kussman
    Dylan Kussman
    • Richard Cameron
    Allelon Ruggiero
    Allelon Ruggiero
    • Steven Meeks
    James Waterston
    James Waterston
    • Gerard Pitts
    Norman Lloyd
    Norman Lloyd
    • Mr. Nolan
    Kurtwood Smith
    Kurtwood Smith
    • Mr. Perry
    Carla Belver
    • Mrs. Perry
    Leon Pownall
    Leon Pownall
    • McAllister
    George Martin
    George Martin
    • Dr. Hager
    Joe Aufiery
    • Chemistry Teacher
    Matt Carey
    • Hopkins
    Kevin Cooney
    Kevin Cooney
    • Joe Danburry
    Jane Moore
    • Mrs. Danburry
    Lara Flynn Boyle
    Lara Flynn Boyle
    • Ginny Danburry
    • (scenes deleted)
    • Director
      • Peter Weir
    • Writer
      • Tom Schulman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    8.1
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    8.3
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    8.6
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Robin Williams considered this movie one of his favorite films he did, and Peter Weir the best director he had ever worked with.
    • Goofs
      Keating's impression of Marlon Brando is not an anachronistic reference to The Godfather (1972) but to his role as Mark Antony in Julius Caesar (1953).
    • Quotes

      McAllister: "Show me the heart unfettered by foolish dreams and I'll show you a happy man."

      John Keating: "But only in their dreams can men be truly free. 'Twas always thus, and always thus will be."

      McAllister: Tennyson?

      John Keating: No, Keating.

    • 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.
    • Connections
      Edited into Everything Wrong with...: Everything Wrong with Battle Los Angeles in 18 Minutes or Less (2017)
    • Soundtracks
      'Water Music': Suite III in D 'Allegro'
      Music by George Frideric Handel
      Performed by Stuttgarter Kammerorchester (as The Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra)
      Conducted by Karl Münchinger
      Courtesy of London Records
      A Division of PolyGram Classics

    User reviews779

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    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!
    helpful•210
    49
    • chic1224
    • Mar 28, 2000

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    FAQ1

    • when does this story take place?Fall and Winter of the 1959-1960 The Dead Poets Meet in a Cave, Where John Keating and The Original Dead Poets Met. They spend Time taking Turns Quoting Poetry. After Neil Perry Commits Suicide, It's Snowing So Winter and The Film Opens on a New School Term So Fall, and Miss October 1959 is in a Playboy Magazine in one of the cave Scenes.

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 9, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Latin
    • Also known as
      • La société des poètes disparus
    • Filming locations
      • St. Andrew's School - 350 Noxontown Road, Middletown, Delaware, USA(school)
    • Production companies
      • Touchstone Pictures
      • Silver Screen Partners IV
      • A Steven Haft Production
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $16,400,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $95,860,116
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $340,456
      • Jun 4, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $235,860,116
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 8 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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