Dead Poets Society [DVD] [1989]

Robin Williams stars as an English teacher who doesn't fit into the conservative prep school where he teaches but his charisma and love of poetry inspires several boys to revive a secret society with a bohemian bent. The script is well-meaning but a little trite, though director Peter Weir (The Truman Show) adds layers of emotional depth in scenes of conflict between the kids and adults. (A subplot involving one father's terrible pressure on his son--played by Robert Sean Leonard--to drop his interest in the theatre reaches heartbreaking proportions). Williams is given plenty of latitude to work in his brand of improvisational humour, though it is all well-woven into his character's style of instruction. --Tom Keogh

Peter Weir’s entry in the "coming of age" teen movie genre, Dead Poets’ Society is a more than usually emotive tale of one teacher and the students he inspires. Robin Williams plays the radical English teacher in a stuffy New England prep school who tries to make a difference. His unconventional methods and love of poetry make him a hit with the repressed teens under his tutelage, and they in turn form a secret society for the pursuit of freedom, truth, beauty and other bohemian ideals. Much soul-searching ensues, not least from the doe-eyed Neil (Robert Sean Leonard) whose sensitive aspirations to pursue a career in the theatre are scuppered by his prosaic father with tragic consequences.

True, the script is clichéd at times and the battle between adults and teens is hackneyed, but no one can deny the emotional power of the "Captain My Captain" scene, where the class defiantly stand on their desks, or the moment when Williams inspires his class with the motto "Carpe Diem". Indeed it is the relationship between Williams and his pupils that enables Weir to raise the film above what could have been over-sentimental slosh, with Williams’ trademark improvised monologues injecting humanity (even in a relatively serious role) into the central character. The result is an inspirational story that stands up to repeat viewings.

On the DVD: Dead Poets’ Society is anamorphically enhanced for this special edition and the changing seasons of New England are beautifully recreated with rich earthy tones dominating the location scenes. Special attention has been paid to the audio track with the dialogue crisp and clear throughout. Extras are good, including retrospective interviews with cast and crew in the "Scrapbook" feature, an unedited scene that was originally part of a planned montage, the trailer and a couple of featurettes, both dealing with the technical aspects of the shoot. There’s also an audio commentary from director Weir, John Seale and screenwriter Tom Schulman.--Kristen Bowditch

DVD Special Features:

Scrapbook
Raw Takes
Alan Splet Tribute
John Seale's Master Class
Audio Commentary
Theatrical Trailer

Languages in Dolby Digital 5.1: English, Spanish
Languages in Dolby Digital Mono 2.0: English
Subtitles: English, English for the hearing impaired, Spanish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Icelandic
Widescreen format 1.78:1

Robin Williams' memorable turn as inspirational English teacher John Keating is presented on Blu-ray disc for the first time. Humour, tragedy and the complexities of growing up are poignantly presented in Peter Weir's coming of age drama about a group of New England prep school students inspired to "seize the day" by Keating's unconventional teaching methods. As each member of the resurrected "Dead Poets Society" challenges the status quo in their own way, their lives are changed forever.

When charismatic English professor John Keating (Robin Williams) arrives at a strict boys academy, his unconventional teaching methods breathe new life into the curriculum steeped in tradition. With his wit and wisdom, Keating inspires his students to pursue individual passions and make their lives extraordinary.

"Carpe Diem, lads! Seize the day. Make your lives extraordinary!"