Dead Poets Society

Name: Dead Poets Society
Genre: Drama
Released: June 16, 1989
Duration: 128 min
Rating: 79
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, Robin Williams

1989

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 294 Ratings

See All

8.3

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.3	Your Score
8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 294 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Dead Poets Society

Now Playing: Dead Poets Society

Movie Details & Credits

Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: June 16, 1989 | PG

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).

Director: Peter Weir

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG

Runtime: 128 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Pauline Kael

The picture draws out the obvious and turns itself into a classic. [26 June 1989]

100

Mr. Showbiz Rick Schultz

One of Australian director Peter Weir's most sensitive films.

100

Judy Stone

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]

Rita Kempley

It's a literate though strained uplifter. Read full review

Mike Clark

Williams is impressively restrained as well as funny, so fans need not fret. It only means that instead of Good Morning, Preppies, we're given a bittersweet, even eerie Goodbye, Mr. Hip. [2 June 1989, Life, p.1D]

Gene Siskel

A refreshing if obvious drama. [9 June 1989, Friday, p.A]

Rick Groen

Beneath the polished surface, Dead Poets Society is moribund at the core - too pat, too safe and too hypocritical, as conformist as the conformity it so easily decries. Read full review

SEE ALL 14 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

PedroA.

Oct 26, 2005

Iv'e seen thins movie dozens of times and on all of them the magic is allways there.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

FilipeNeto

Mar 4, 2018

In this film, the life of a conservative school for rich young people is changed by the arrival of a poetry teacher with ideas and unorthodox methods. Directed by Peter Weir, has a screenplay by Tom Schulman and features Robin Williams in the lead role. It won the Oscar for Best OriginalIn this film, the life of a conservative school for rich young people is changed by the arrival of a poetry teacher with ideas and unorthodox methods. Directed by Peter Weir, has a screenplay by Tom Schulman and features Robin Williams in the lead role. It won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and is regarded as the consecration film of Williams' career.

For me, its one of most moving and uplifting films I saw. In a world where the task of teaching is often undervalued by parents, pupils and even by governments, this film shows how a teacher can change the thinking and life of a student, for the best or the worst. In order to teach its enough to know, but to be a good teacher you must have passion. And it is precisely this love of the act of teaching (and what is taught) that transforms and captivates students. Another powerful message that this film conveys is the importance of thinking in an original way, according to our own head, instead of thinking according to what others preach. Finally, the film draws attention to the limited time we have to be better than we are, "seize the day, and make your lives extraordinary".

The cast were up to the challenge but Robin Williams holds the whole audience with an accurately and deeply moving performance. The sets and costumes are good, managing to perfectly recreate the atmosphere of schools of rich and privileged students. Photography is regular. The soundtrack is good and makes a good accompaniment of the film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Rachel

May 22, 2007

It is probably the most influential movie I've seen in my life. I was truly inspired to change. Everyone should see it. CARPE DIEM!

1 of 1 users found this helpful

GregePorter

Aug 31, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Bottom line: Dead Poet Society is a powerful and unique motivational movie that I will almost certainly see again.

We open to an opening ceremony held in the chapel of a very old, very traditional, all male, prep school named Welton Academy. Led by a young man playing bagpipes, a line of boys walk to the front of the chapel. Four of them hold banners which state the four pillars of the school: tradition, honor, discipline, and excellence. This staunch tone is reflected in the students (and their parents) of the school. One student, Neil Perry (Leonard), has a domineering father who dictates the course for his son’s life; Neil will go to Welton, then to medical school, then become a doctor.

A new English teacher, John Keating (Williams), was hired to replace the one who had retired. His methods are unorthodox. For one of the first few days of class, he has his students read an excerpt from the introduction of the official poetry textbook. It states that one might plot a graph whose x and y axis is meter and importance, respectively. The “greatness” of a poem can be defined by its placement on that graph. Keating vehemently opposes this notion and, in the spirit of rejection, he has his students tear it out of the book. They are dumbfounded but comply.

Poetry isn’t something you can measure like a height and weight, Keating says, poetry is life. So to teach them about poetry, Keating is teaching them how to live and how to seize the day. His students, in each their own way, are touched by his teaching. Neil Perry, for example, comes to realize that he has always wanted to act and he works to make his dream a reality despite his father’s opposition.

I thoroughly enjoyed Dead Poet Society. This is a motivational movie that hit the spot and departed from what I’ve always associated with motivational subject matter. That is, it wasn’t about an athlete persevering despite physical, emotional, or political obstacles. Not that there’s anything wrong with athletics but Dead Poet Society is refreshing. The use of poetry to develop the idea of living is lovely. It isn’t about them writing poetry, mind you, it is about the students breaking from their repressive molds by learning to appreciate poetry.

Generally, I have mixed feelings about Robin Williams. Sometimes he can be a little much, but his performance as John Keating is fantastic. His antics are silly but not distracting. The acting overall is solid. It is really uplifting to see the students’ eyes light up as they develop a new outlook on life. I also really liked how the movie didn’t feel the need to give much if any epilogue. The students have a new perspective on life and that’s that. The movie doesn’t say “Student X went on to .”

I really liked the music and the cinematography. There is a shot of a fall morning with flocks of birds taking off. The camera cuts over to flocks of students filling the stairwells of the academy on their way to class. Later, after a couple weeks of Keating’s teaching, one of the boys rides his bike down a hill through a flock of birds, disrupting them and causing them to fly. It is a simple yet effective visual metaphor.

The only thing I didn’t really like is how, until obligatory sad portion, everything works out so perfectly. This isn’t anything major but I’ll describe why this is a pet peeve in my discussion post. Other than that, I had no issues with this movie. It got me pumped up and, I suppose, that’s the point of a motivational movie. I’d recommend this for any time, especially if you are feeling a little down.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

StaticSpine

Apr 2, 2015

A thought-provoking and emotionally-engaging drama about one simple fact: nobody can teach you how to live your life. A great performance by Robin Williams.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Spangle

Nov 26, 2014

An incredibly emotional and inspirational film, Dead Poets Society stands tall as a great film in the coming of age category. Robin Williams is absolutely brilliant. Truly a great performance on his part and his charisma really shines through. He is entirely believable and the inspirationalAn incredibly emotional and inspirational film, Dead Poets Society stands tall as a great film in the coming of age category. Robin Williams is absolutely brilliant. Truly a great performance on his part and his charisma really shines through. He is entirely believable and the inspirational and caring teacher. The performances from the younger actors is also good. The direction from Peter Weir, writing from Tom Schulman, and cinematography from John Seale, are also all great and all increase the impact this drama has on its viewers. It can get a little sentimental at times and it gets dark pretty quick at times, but overall, Dead Poets Society is a smash success that needs to be watched by all. If anyone ever says that Robin Williams is not a great actor, this in particular is a great film to show them to prove them wrong, because dammit is he great. His performance is one that stays with you for a while.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Broyax

Jan 11, 2017

J'ai du mal à m'en rappeler, car à chaque fois je pionce pendant tout le film comme un dimanche après-midi devant Drucker. Au moins ce bon vieux Michel a-t-il le mérite de me réveiller de temps à autre dès qu'il pose l'inévitable question à ses invités endormis : "vous aimez les chiens ?'J'ai du mal à m'en rappeler, car à chaque fois je pionce pendant tout le film comme un dimanche après-midi devant Drucker. Au moins ce bon vieux Michel a-t-il le mérite de me réveiller de temps à autre dès qu'il pose l'inévitable question à ses invités endormis : "vous aimez les chiens ?'

Alors je lui réponds que j'adore les chiens. A la broche. Le cercle des poètes disparus (heureusement qu'ils sont disparus, morts d'ennui sans doute !) me fait le même effet et déclenche une haine encore plus forte de tout ce qui touche à la poésie et autre pseudo-littérature intello-pleurnicharde. Un prof comme ce Robin Williams, ça donne des envies de meurtre. Au fusil de chasse. Dans la tête.

C'est la "philosophie de la vie" à la petite semaine, sirupeuse à souhait, tellement bon enfant gnangnan que je cours me réfugier chez Casimir pour qu'il me fasse un bon gloubiboulga. Casimir ne pérore pas, ne pontifie pas non plus comme cette troupe d'étudiants complètement schlass en admiration malsaine devant ce prof bêtifié qui raconte n'importe quoi pour remplir du vide.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

SEE ALL 50 REVIEWS