The History Boys

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The History Boys

R

2006

1h 49m

Comedy

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

66%

Tomatometer

103 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

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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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

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Bruce Westbrook

Houston Chronicle

The film becomes a sermonette on tolerance. But with its one-sidedness, it fails to practice what it preaches.

Rated: 2/4

Dec 22, 2006

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Terry Lawson

Detroit Free Press

The History Boys is a movie that asks questions like 'What is education really for anyway?' and asks them in an altogether witty, brainy way. It turns history into what it really is, the story of our lives.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 22, 2006

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Geoff Berkshire

Metromix.com

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

Rated: 3/5

Jul 6, 2010

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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

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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

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P K

One of my favorite coming of age films. Very British, full of amazing actors and heartfelt storylines. Well worth the watch

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/20/25

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Leo V

Well, first of all it is written by Alan Bennett, and directed by Nicholas Hytner . Then there is the cast, which is intact after runs in London, Australia and New York (Where I saw it). We are lucky to have it available and as the years tick by we can recommend it to our grandchildren, which is what I am doing in April of 2025.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

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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

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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

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Audience Member

Phenomenal film start to finish

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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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

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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

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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
Producer: Kevin Loader, Damian Jones, 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
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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