The History Boys

R

Released Nov 21, 2006

1 hr. 49 min.

Comedy

Drama

LGBTQ+

List

65%

104 Reviews

Tomatometer

70%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

An unorthodox teacher (Stephen Campbell Moore) and his colleagues (Richard Griffiths, Frances de la Tour) at a British grammar school try to prepare gifted young charges for the upcoming Oxford and Cambridge entrance exams. The students absorb the facts and figures thrown at them by academia, and in the process, they also learn a little about life.

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Critics Consensus

While not quite having the impact of its original stage version, The History Boys nevertheless is a witty and involving school drama.

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Audience Member

This is one of the worst films I've ever seen dull and boring . With the overrated james Corden. Peodo teacher awful

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I was expecting this film to be great, based on reviews. However, I was very disappointed, mainly due to it being set in the wrong time. It was supposedly set in 1983, but the school and characters were clearly better placed in the 1950s. The weird teacher-pupil relationships creeped me out, and the blatant snobbery from the outset made it impossible for me to finish watching.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Phenomenal film start to finish

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Tried watching this twice now, got the furthest the second time. The pupil actors are unbelievable as non-public school pupils. The sex story between pupil and secretary is also a bit of a stretch as is the interplay between the homosexual general studies teacher and the pupils. The dialogue is insulting to the achievements of people who do work hard to get into Oxbridge yet also manages to insult all pupils who get into other Universities .... this is through the tone. I bet Bennett wrote it better, I appreciate his work, but this totally fails to be convincing and realistic, which is critical when we are being shown a famiiar Universe.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A witty script full of quips that go beyond today's typical "dumb humor." The film's main theme questions the real meaning and purpose of education, while also addressing the difficulties of homosexuality and possible outcomes of individual choices throughout different life stages.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Eu realmente acho que essa história deve ter funcionado como uma peça, mas como um fillme nem tanto. É um Clube do Imperador só que maçante. Os atores são todos bons, tanto que é vários têm boas carreiras atualmente.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

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Nicholas Hytner

Director

Richard Griffiths

Hector

Frances de la Tour

Mrs. Lintott

Stephen Campbell Moore

Tom Irwin

Samuel Barnett

Posner

Dominic Cooper

Dakin

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Robert Hanks

Independent (UK)

Rated: 3/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Stephen Garrett

Time Out

Rated: 3/6

Feb 3, 2007

Full Review

Toddy Burton

Austin Chronicle

If you like your British movies quick, raunchy, reflective, and bittersweet, then The History Boys is for you.

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 30, 2006

Full Review

Geoff Berkshire

Metromix.com

The play's the thing -- the only thing -- here

Rated: 3/5

Jul 6, 2010

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

In attempting to absolve the perverse actions of a teacher on the basis of his apparent tutoring skills, Alan Bennett has created a dubious work of fiction that is beyond empathy or humor.

Rated: C-

Apr 15, 2009

Full Review

Betsy Bozdech

Hollywood.com

The History Boys is much less about lighting and composition than it is about Bennett's sharp, insightful script.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 20, 2008

Full Review

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Synopsis

An unorthodox teacher (Stephen Campbell Moore) and his colleagues (Richard Griffiths, Frances de la Tour) at a British grammar school try to prepare gifted young charges for the upcoming Oxford and Cambridge entrance exams. The students absorb the facts and figures thrown at them by academia, and in the process, they also learn a little about life.

Director: Nicholas Hytner
Screenwriter: Alan Bennett
Distributor: Fox
Production Co: BBC, Free Range Films, DNA Films
Rating: R (Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 21, 2006, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.7M
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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