Dead Poets Society Movie Review 1989

An idealistic English teacher inspires a group of boys in a 1950s' prep school to pursue individuality and creative endeavor, resulting in clashes with school and parental authorities. Williams shows he can master the serious roles as well as the comic with his portrayal of the unorthodox educator. Big boxoffice hit occasionally scripted with a heavy hand in order to elevate the message. The ensemble cast is excellent.

Distribution

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521-1120, Toll-free: 800-723-4763, URL: http://www.bvhe.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 128 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Prep School, Suicide, Teen Angst, School Daze, Coming of Age, Rebel With a Cause, Dedicated Teachers, Period Piece: 1950s

Screenplay

Tom Schulman

Cast

Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, Josh Charles, Gale Hansen, Kurtwood Smith, James Waterson, Dylan Kussman, Lara Flynn Boyle, Melora Hardin, Alexandra Powers

Cinematography

John Seale

Director

Peter Weir

Music

Maurice Jarre

Producer

Touchstone Pictures, Silver Screen Partners IV

Awards

Oscars 1989: Orig. Screenplay; British Acad. 1989: Film; Cesar 1991: Foreign Film.