Dead Poets Society (1989)

One of the Best!

This movie is, by far, one of my favorite movies of all time. It was so well written, directed and has some of the best actors (i.e. Robert Sean Leonard-Dr. Wilson himself!). Moving score as well. I hate to say this but it was because of this movie that I became interested in poetry. And I saw this at the movies when it came out in 1989. I was 20. I hadn't known what I was missing not reading poetry. Better late than never! Watch this movie, open your mind and you'll be pleasantly surprised! Peace. October 23, 2008

On my all time top 10 movie list

I have seen this movie so many times I think I have everyone of Robin William's lines memorized. Everytime I watch this movie I wish I had been a teacher. The cast of teeneage boys are tremendous in their rolls and Robin Williams is electrifying as the off beat instructor who dares to challenge the rules in the traditional school where he was once a student. Part coming of age part tragedy the story is filled with drama and sprinkled with humor but more than anything always makes me want to do more with my own life.

If you have never seen this movie rent it or buy it now. September 30, 2008

Moving Inspiration

I first saw this movie in my 11th grade english class and I didn't get to see all of it so I bought it for myself. I have to say, it is a moving piece of art and is a movie that everyone should watch regardless if they are familiar with Whitman, Thoreau or Emmerson. August 8, 2008

The tragedy of the rigorous and mindless enforcement of conformity

This is one of the most inspiring and saddest movies ever made. Robin Williams stars as John Keating, an inspirational and unconventional English teacher in an atmosphere of strict conformity. The school is one that rigid, simplistic parents send their young men to, and they expect the education to be formal, complete and without deviation from the prescribed path.
Williams arrives at the school and teaches the boys the joy of breaking with the mass lockstep and thinking for themselves. A group re-forms the Dead Poets Society, where they sneak out of their dorm rooms and meet in an Indian cave and read classical poetry. It is a club like those formed by young men since they first existed, a chance for them to rebel against their restrictions and branch out into new and forbidden areas.
However, when one of the boys chooses to act in violation of his father's edicts, the father responds with an ultimatum. When the boy chooses suicide over giving up acting, a scapegoat must be found and Keating is the "logical" choice. The boys are forced to sign statements blaming Keating for the death of their friend, with some being completely shameless about it. In a touching scene at the end, the most rebellious of the boys stands on his desk and says to Keating, "Oh Captain! My Captain!", from a poem of the same name penned by Walt Whitman and dedicated to the memory of the assassinated Abraham Lincoln. Others follow his lead and only the most heartless of us can watch that scene and not generate a teardrop.
In my opinion, this is the best movie Williams has ever done; his character is forceful, imaginative, and creative and pays dearly for his excellence. As an educator operating at the college level, I know that situations like this happen more often than non-educators realize.
June 12, 2008

Stays with you.

Dead Poets Society is a heartbreaking but memorable film. Robin Williams is perfection in his role as a literary professor looking to inspire his wayward students. The ending is sad but profound. Robert Sean Leonard and a young Ethan Hawke also star. I highly recommend it! April 27, 2008

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