The History Boys

Name: The History Boys
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: November 21, 2006
Duration: 109 min
Rating: 74
Cast: Clive Merrison, Frances De La Tour, Richard Griffiths

2006

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 59 Ratings

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6.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 59 Ratings

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The History Boys

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Movie Details & Credits

Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: November 21, 2006 | R

Starring: Clive Merrison, Frances De La Tour, Richard Griffiths

Summary: The History Boys tells the story of an unruly class of bright, funny history students in pursuit of an undergraduate place at Oxford or Cambridge. [Fox Searchlight]

Director: Nicholas Hytner

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 109 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Michael Sragow

In The History Boys, as in all of Bennett's work, irony is what the characters live and breathe - and I mean irony in its truest sense, of using language to present opposite and often sly alternatives to accepted wisdom. Read full review

Carrie Rickey

Vibrates with exuberance and erudition. Read full review

Stephen Holden

The current of intellectual energy snapping through the ferociously engaging screen adaptation of Alan Bennett’s Tony Award-winning play feels like electrical brain stimulation. Read full review

Rick Groen

This is a piece engineered to run on the high octane of clever dialogue. It's chatty, it's wordy, but a passion for the well-written word lies at the thematic heart of the thing, and cinematic flourishes would only clog the arteries. Purists can rest assured -- there's no clogging. Read full review

Kirk Honeycutt

If you liked the play and the compelling ideas Bennett kicks around, the movie makes for an intellectually invigorating couple of hours. Read full review

Stanley Kauffmann

At the last, despite the modern touches in Bennett's screenplay, The History Boys fills the traditional bill. Wellington would probably not be too upset by it. Eventually it tells us that Waterloo is still in pretty good hands. Read full review

William Arnold

With the original stage cast, the film is doggedly faithful to the play but has failed to translate it into much of a film. Read full review

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User Reviews

IgbyE.

Apr 22, 2007

The History Boys carries with it a wit and charm unmatched by few movies. It uses language to woo you, excite you and move you. However, most of all, entertain you in a delightfully sly and British way.

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Jun 6, 2007

Just saw same on video and just felt some of the criticisms of the film need correcting. first, the film does not state that the teacher's rather pathetic gropings are ok. neither is everyone ok with it. indeed, the teacher's best friend, the woman teacher is rather saddened toJust saw same on video and just felt some of the criticisms of the film need correcting. first, the film does not state that the teacher's rather pathetic gropings are ok. neither is everyone ok with it. indeed, the teacher's best friend, the woman teacher is rather saddened to learn of it. and he is about to be fired for same. that said, the boys are 18 not 17 as the voice-over in the extra features makes clear. this extra term in preparing for university was abolished in the early 80s, and it was set before then. the boys find it all rather boring; they have bigger concerns. if one can look beyond the sex and longing and sadness, this is a fascinating discussion about what makes for the best teaching: facts, argument, or interest. but, as the comments suggest, few look past the sex. great acting, too.… Expand

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Satiricalewok

Nov 8, 2014

Equal parts heart-warming and hilarious. This film features a star-studded cast, from before they were stars, with the best performances coming from Dominic Cooper, Jamie Parker, and although in a smaller role Russel Tovey.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JohnO

Apr 14, 2007

Too overtly romanticised and camp (cringingly so at times) to be believable as a portrayal of British school life. It is nonetheless a brilliantly witty, endearing and provocative comment on the function and purpose of education. Its just a shame Bennett chooses to convolute the story with Too overtly romanticised and camp (cringingly so at times) to be believable as a portrayal of British school life. It is nonetheless a brilliantly witty, endearing and provocative comment on the function and purpose of education. Its just a shame Bennett chooses to convolute the story with redundant homoerotic musings on teacher/boy relationships, because there is a very poignant theme to the film that this overplay seeks to demerit.… Expand

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JimG

Jan 7, 2007

Unfortunately, I am not well read enough to have enjoyed the full effect of the literary and cultural references in this work, but there was plenty to enjoy. Though it is a much better film adaption of a stage play than others I have seen, there was still a little uncertainty of flow, but Unfortunately, I am not well read enough to have enjoyed the full effect of the literary and cultural references in this work, but there was plenty to enjoy. Though it is a much better film adaption of a stage play than others I have seen, there was still a little uncertainty of flow, but that was easily overcome by wonderful acting.… Expand

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RobertI.

Dec 10, 2006

Despite moments which invoke the genuine joy of the liberal classroom, the film drifts toward the maudlin and the sentimental, with a final third that borders on clotted cream. Too bad, for people and performances that promised so much more.

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UmbertoS.

Jan 16, 2007

I HATED this movie. It was excruciating to sit through. Tedious. Ugh. The rest of the small audience was about 65 years old and laughed at things that were just not funny. I would rather be stabbed in the leg with a fork than sit through it again.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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