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Dead Poets Society
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Metascore
79 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.0 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 79 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, Robin Williams
  • Summary: Robin Williams stars as John Keating, an unconventional teacher at a conservative New England prep school who inspires his students and encourages them with the rallying call "carpe diem" (seize the day).

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Judy Stone
    100
    Hurrah! Poetry and passion, comedy and tragedy are fused into one absolutely marvelous affirmation of independent spirit in Dead Poets Society. [2 June 1989, Daily Notebook, p.E1]
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  2. Mr. Showbiz
    Reviewed by: Rick Schultz
    100
    One of Australian director Peter Weir's most sensitive films.
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  3. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    50
    Not the worst of the countless recent movies about good kids and hidebound, authoritatian older people. It may, however, be the most shameless in its attempt to pander to an adolescent audience.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 42
  3. Negative: 1 out of 42
  1. NatN.
    10
    Extremly good movie that explores our deepest desires and the situations that get in our way.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. grandpajoe6191
    8
    Although "Dead Poets Society" copies the original book with no prominent changes, It still lives as a classic movie.
    • 3 of 3 users said yes
  3. cyclecrit
    5
    For me this film works until the final 10 minutes were it descends into an implausible maelstrom of madness. If you decide to watch this, maybe take the ending with a grain of salt. This way you might get more enjoyment from the experience.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 42 User Reviews