DEAD POET'S SOCIETY (1989)

By Mark Nobes, chief editor

Firstly, the video clip above features the original 1989 Dead Poets Society movie trailer. It was, of course, the comic genius Robin Williams who starred in this moving U.S. drama film. He played English teacher John Keating who inspires his students through poetry at the high class Welton Academy in 1959. The story is actually based on the script-writer's (Tom Schulmn) life at Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. 

The teachers at the academy are strict, cold and humourless. However, John Keating's teaching methods are much more engaging, if rather unconventional, and asking his students to address him as "O captain! My Captain!" (which referred to the poetry of Walter "Walt" Whitman) is one such example of his offbeat nature.
 
The story particularly focuses on two students. Todd Anderson is socially-awkward and constantly lives under the shadow of his successful and popular older brother. His room-mate, Neil, has a domineering father whose expectations are rather unreasonable. 
Robin Williams as teacher John Keating in Dead Poets Society
Reviews of the film were mostly very favourable, although there was pretty harsh criticism by the American film critic Roger Ebert, who, apparently, described the script as often "poorly constructed" and thought that Williams sometimes veered into his onstage comedian's persona.

Nonetheless, the movie won an Academy Award for "Best Original Screenplay" and two BAFTA's for "Best Film" and "Best Original Film Score" which was composed by Jean Michel Jarre's father Maurice Jarre.

Mark's View:

The student's lives are changed by John Keating, and William's plays the part with an intense energy that brings the script to life. He is inspiring not only to the fictional students, but also the viewing audience, too, showing us that there is a poet in all of us waiting to break out.
The script brings to the fore the importance of being inspired, being both compelling and engaging. Although the young cast is inexperienced, their performances are incredibly moving. If you have never watched the film because you believe it to be filled with yawn-inducing poetry, then you have missed out big time - watch it and be inspired - 9/10

The Cast

Robin Williams - Teacher John Keating
Robert Sean Leonard - Neil Perry
Kurtwood Smith - Mr. Perry
Ethan Hawke - Todd Anderson
Debra Mooney - Mrs. Anderson
Josh Charles - Knox Overstreet
Gale Hansen - Charlie Dalton
Norman Lloyd - Headmaster Gale Nolan
Dylan Kussman - Richard Cameron
James Waterston - Gerrard Pitts
Allelon Ruggiero - Stephen Meeks
Leon Pownall - McAllister
Alexandra Powers - Chris Noel
Kevin Cooney - Joe Danburry
Welker White - Tina
George Martin - Dr. Hager

Other Info:

Director: Peter Weir
Producers: Steven Haft, Paul Junger Witt and Tony Thomas
Script Writer: Tom Schulman
The film was produced by Touchstone Pictures and distributed by Buena Vista Pictures.
Released date: June 2nd 1989
Box Office Takings: Around $236 million