IMDb > Dead Poets Society (1989)
Dead Poets Society
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Dead Poets Society (1989) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 4)
Dead Poets Society (1989) -- English professor John Keating inspires his students to a love of poetry and to seize the day.
Dead Poets Society (1989) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   83,540 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
No change in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Tom Schulman (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Dead Poets Society on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 June 1989 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
He was their inspiration. He made their lives extraordinary.
Plot:
English professor John Keating inspires his students to a love of poetry and to seize the day. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 13 wins & 15 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(33 articles)
AFI's 100 Years ...100 Movie Quotes
 (From Extra. 4 November 2009, 4:45 AM, PST)

Trailer and Poster for Cracks Starring Eva Green
 (From Collider.com. 27 October 2009, 11:56 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
this movie is the greatest movie, with excellent cinematic techniques. more (373 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
128 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The phrase "carpe diem" is from Odes 1.11 of Q. Horatius Flaccus ("Horace"), 65BC-8BC. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: The literature anthology, "Literature: Reading, Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and the Essay", edited by Robert DiYanni, was published by Random House in 1986. more
Quotes:
Neil Perry: I just talked to my father. He's making me quit the play at Henley Hall. Acting's everything to me. I- But he doesn't know! He- I can see his point; we're not a rich family, like Charlie's. We- But he's planning the rest of my life for me, and I- He's never asked me what I want!
John Keating: Have you ever told your father what you just told me? About your passion for acting? You ever showed him that?
Neil Perry: I can't.
John Keating: Why not?
Neil Perry: I can't talk to him this way.
John Keating: Then you're acting for him, too. You're playing the part of the dutiful son. Now, I know this sounds impossible, but you have to talk to him. You have to show him who you are, what your heart is!
Neil Perry: I know what he'll say! He'll tell me that acting's a whim and I should forget it. They're counting on me; he'll just tell me to put it out of my mind for my own good.
John Keating: You are not an indentured servant! It's not a whim for you, you prove it to him by your conviction and your passion! You show that to him, and if he still doesn't believe you - well, by then, you'll be out of school and can do anything you want.
Neil Perry: No. What about the play? The show's tomorrow night!
John Keating: Then you have to talk to him before tomorrow night.
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009) more
Soundtrack:
The Battle of New Orleans more

FAQ

Where can I see the deleted scenes?
more
89 out of 114 people found the following comment useful.
this movie is the greatest movie, with excellent cinematic techniques., 19 March 2001
10/10
Author: Christine Harthcock (jchckid) from Oxnard, CA

The film Dead Poets Society is a film that explores the idea of "Carpe Diem" (seize the day) from the viewpoint of a classroom of young men at an all boys boarding school. Their teacher Mr. Keating (played by Robin Williams)helps them stretch their minds, and exercise their right to defiant acts of love for life and poetry, rebuttlng society. The director Peter Weir treats you with eye candy by using various camera shots of beautiful scenary, and neat techniques. Weir takes you on a roller coaster that leaves you gripping your seat, enjoying life, and thinking "Carpe Diem" in your own life. There are some very depressing scenes, but they are very artful, and teach you of appreciation for those brave members of society that dare stand up for their beliefs, and rights to wrestling around with life. I thought Ethan Hawke (Todd Anderson) gave a true life twist to the film, Robin Williams (Mr. Keating or also known as Captain my captain) added an element of excitement, and Robert Sean Leonard (Neil Perry)added passion that leaves you mesmerized. I just saw this film in English class, but I immediatly fell in love with it, as I know you will.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (373 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Dead Poets Society (1989)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
100 Things I learned from DPS no_no_girl72
Question about puzzle-story (slight spoilers) HSJDesign
A little disappointed with how things turned out lisacamillek
John Keating anyone? rashie92
did anybody else notice.. kellybeanh
Disappointing Film (Spoilers and a long rant with nitpicking) unbound_set_free
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The Emperor's Club The Virgin Suicides If.... River's Edge Notes on a Scandal
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.