Dead Poets Society
At a rigid 1959 Vermont prep school, an unconventional English teacher awakens his students to poetry, self-expression, and the risks of resisting conformity.
Overview
A group of students discovers the power of poetry and individuality under the guidance of an inspiring teacher.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- sincere
- inspirational
- nostalgic
- reflective evening
- study break
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the young ensemble and Robin Williams's affecting, restrained inspirational performance, while some found the screenplay overly earnest and conventionally constructed.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Welton Academy's rigid traditions and disciplinary culture oppose Keating's encouragement of independent judgment.
John Keating uses poetry, performance, and unconventional classroom exercises to awaken his students' curiosity and courage.
The story is set at the fictional Welton Academy in Vermont in 1959, amid conservative elite-school values.
The students revive the Dead Poets Society and use literature, recitation, and theater to challenge prescribed identities.
Films like Dead Poets Society, and why
The History Boys
shared coming of age drama, inspirational teacher, and conflict between individual expression and institutional conformity
Good Will Hunting
shared prep school setting, adolescent friendship, literary idealism, and emotionally charged resistance to authority
Finding Forrester
shared youthful self-discovery, charismatic mentorship, and bittersweet pressure from family and society
Movie Details
- Director
- Peter Weir
- Release Date
- 1989-06-02
- Runtime
- 129 min
- Rating
- 8.3 / 10 (12997)
Cast
- Robin Williams
- Robert Sean Leonard
- Ethan Hawke
- Josh Charles
- Gale Hansen
- Dylan Kussman
- Allelon Ruggiero
- James Waterston
- Norman Lloyd
- Kurtwood Smith
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Dead Poets Society about?
- At a rigid 1959 Vermont prep school, an unconventional English teacher awakens his students to poetry, self-expression, and the risks of resisting conformity.
- What is Dead Poets Society like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dead Poets Society as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Dead Poets Society violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Dead Poets Society.
- What did critics think of Dead Poets Society?
- Critics broadly praised the young ensemble and Robin Williams's affecting, restrained inspirational performance, while some found the screenplay overly earnest and conventionally constructed.
- Which films are like Dead Poets Society?
- Films with a similar feel include The History Boys, Good Will Hunting, and Finding Forrester.
- How long is Dead Poets Society?
- Dead Poets Society runs 129 minutes.
- Where can I watch Dead Poets Society?
- In United States, Dead Poets Society is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
