Screenplay by
Genre
Runtime
Budget
First showings
Theatrical release
Shooting dates
Filming locations
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Tom Schulman
Drama
120 min.
$16.4 mil.
LA, NY, SF & Toronto, June 02, 1989
June 09, 1989
Nov 14, 1988 - Jan 15, 1989
St. Andrews School, Middletown, New Castle, Rockland (Delaware)
Silver Screen Partners IV
Touchstone Pictures
Robert Sean Leonard
Ethan Hawk
Josh Charles
Gale Hansen
Dylan Kussman
Allelon Ruggiero
Norman Lloyd
Neill Perry
Todd Anderson
Knox Overstreet
Charles Dalton/ Nuwanda
Richard Cameron
Steven Meeks
Mr. Nolan
Why do I stand up here?
Mr.Dawson
To feel taller.
Keating
No. [ding] Thank you for playing. I stand upon my desk to remind myself that we must constantly look at things in a different way. See, the world looks very different from up here. You don't believe me? Come see for yourselves. Come on. Just when you think you know something, you have to look at in in another way. Even though it may seem silly, or wrong, you must try. Now, when you read, don't just consider what the author thinks. Consider what you think. Boys, you must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all. Thoreau said:" Most men lead lives in quiet desperation. Don't be resigned by that. Break out. Don't walk just off the edge like lemmings. Look around you. Dare to strike out and find new ground. Now, in addition to your essays, I would like you to compose a poem of your own, an original work.
Class
Ooh!
Keating
Oef! La-ha-ha-ha-hum! That's right. You have to deliver it aloud, in front of the class on Monday.
Class
Keating
Ooh! Bon chance, gentleman. Mr. Anderson! Don't think that I don't know that this assignment scares the hell out of you, you mole.
Keating
We don't read and write poetry because it's cute.
We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race.
And the human race is filled with passion.
Medicine, law, bussiness, engeneering,
these are all noble pursuits, and necessaryto sustain life.
But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are where we stay alive for.
To quote from Whitman: "O me, O life of the questions of these recuring,
of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities filled with the foolish
What good amid these: O me, O life?"
The answer: That you are here. That life exists, and identity.
That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse.
That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse.
What would your verse be?
Keating
A man is not 'very tired'. He's 'exhausted'. And don't use 'very sad', use--Come on, Mr. Overstreet, you twerp.
Mr. Anderson
Morose?
Keating
Exactly! Morose! Now, language was developed for one endeavour, and that is--Mr. Anderson. Come on, are you a man or an amoeba? Mr. Perry?
Mr. Perry
Uh...to communicate?
Keating
No! To woo women. Today we're going to be talking about William Shakespeare. Oh, God. I know, a lot of you look forward to this about as much as you look forward to root canal work. We're gonna talk about Shakespeare as someone who writes something very interesting. Now, many of you have seen Shakespeare done very much like this: "O, Titus, bring your friend hither." But many of you have seen Marlon Brando, "you know that Shakespeare can be different. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears." You can also imagine maybe John Wayne as McBeth going, "Well, is this a dagger I see before me?"
Keating
Dogs, sir? Oh, not just now. I do enjoy a good dog once in a while, sir. You can have yourself a three-course meal from one dog. Start with a canine croquette. Go to your Fido Flambe for main course. And for desert a pekingese parfait. And you can pick your teeth with the little paw.
British Academy
Awards
Golden Globe
French Academy
of Cimema
Nominated
Nominated
Won
Won
Nominated
Nominated
Nominated
Won
Nominated
Nominated
Nominated
Nominated
Nominated
Won
Best Director (Peter Weir)
Best Picture
Best Screenplay (Tom Schulman)
Best Film
Best Actor (Robin Williams)
Best Director (Peter Weir)
Best original Screenplay (Tom Schulman)
Best Original Film score (Michael Kamen)
Editing Award
Best Actor in A Motion Picture (Robin Williams)
Best Film
Best Screenplay (Tom Schulman)
Best Director (Peter Weir)
Best Film