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Dead Poets Society

Play trailer 2:35 Poster for Dead Poets Society PG Released Jun 2, 1989 2h 8m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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85% Tomatometer 65 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
A new English teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams), is introduced to an all-boys preparatory school that is known for its ancient traditions and high standards. He uses unorthodox methods to reach out to his students, who face enormous pressures from their parents and the school. With Keating's help, students Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard), Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke) and others learn to break out of their shells, pursue their dreams and seize the day.
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Dead Poets Society

Dead Poets Society

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Critics Consensus

Affecting performances from the young cast and a genuinely inspirational turn from Robin Williams grant Peter Weir's prep school drama top honors.

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Critics Reviews

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Kurt Jacobsen Chicago Reader We never are privy to Keatings’s personal life, nor do we quite grasp why such a talented individual is devoted to pedagogy. Rated: 1/4 May 11, 2022 Full Review Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune A refreshing if obvious drama. Rated: 3/4 Aug 23, 2017 Full Review Hank Gallo New York Daily News On the surface Robin Williams appears to be giving his standard performance as Prof. Keating - witty, sincere and lovable. But there's much more here. Rated: 3.5/4 Jun 1, 2016 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Though it’s marginally overlong, the script is absorbing. Rated: 8/10 Sep 16, 2024 Full Review Rachel Wagner Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) It's extremely manipulative but it still works Aug 28, 2024 Full Review Lyric Waiwiri-Smith The Post NZ An achingly beautiful story of high school boys who give up the guards of their masculinity and family expectations to believe in something beautiful and real. Oct 28, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Nia F The Dead Poets Society is a 1989 coming-of-age drama by Peter Weir, following a group of students and their new teacher. It is a charming and poetic film set in the autumn of 1959 at the fictional Welton Academy for boys, which received Academy Award nominations for Best Picture and Best Director, BAFTA Awards for Best Film and Best Music. The story is both humorous and heartwarming. John Keating, played by Robin Williams, is a new English literature teacher at a prestigious American college known for its ancient traditions and high standards. He stands out from the traditional teachers with his easy-going demeanor, eccentric behavior, and disregard for the curriculum. One day, he reveals the secret of the Dead Poets Society to his students. Neil Perry, Todd Anderson, and others, with Keating's help, try to find their own voice in a faceless choir. They learn to see the world around them by leaping over the gray school fence. The cast of the film is exceptional, with Robin Williams, Josh Charles, Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, Norman Lloyd, and others, with Williams delivering a standout performance as John Keating. Williams' portrayal is full of humor, warmth, and depth. The visual design is cozy, and the atmosphere is warm. In conclusion, Dead Poets Society is one of the best films I have ever seen. The movie masterfully conveys the beauty of poetry, showing how words can have profound meaning and transform the soul. The story teaches us to break free from our limitations and pursue our dreams. And remember: "Carpe diem! Seize the day! Make your lives extraordinary!" Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/19/25 Full Review James E One of the greatest films of its generation with messages that still hold up today. The whole cast, young and old are phenomenal and it is a delight to watch them all work. Few movies have as much raw emotion and talent as this film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/11/25 Full Review Ryland C Damn, I’m really surprised on how much I really enjoyed this movie. I relate to the characters a lot here in this film and it definitely related to me and my struggles as a teenager. Good movie and stuff. 👍 Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/04/25 Full Review Leprechaun K Great movie that addresses social injustice and discrimination. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/25 Full Review Charlotte S Absolute. Cinematic. Masterpiece. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/22/25 Full Review Audience Member Loved this movie,the character Richard cameron ruined it though. Other than that,good movie. Carpe diem! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/30/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Dead Poets Society

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Movie Info

Synopsis A new English teacher, John Keating (Robin Williams), is introduced to an all-boys preparatory school that is known for its ancient traditions and high standards. He uses unorthodox methods to reach out to his students, who face enormous pressures from their parents and the school. With Keating's help, students Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard), Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke) and others learn to break out of their shells, pursue their dreams and seize the day.
Director
Peter Weir
Producer
Steven Haft, Paul Junger Witt, Tony Thomas
Screenwriter
Tom Schulman
Distributor
Touchstone Pictures, Buena Vista Pictures, Touchstone Home Video
Production Co
Touchstone Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 2, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 9, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$94.5M
Runtime
2h 8m
Sound Mix
Surround, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Dolby
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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