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The History Boys [DVD] [2006]
 
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The History Boys [DVD] [2006]

DVD ~ Richard Griffiths
3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (83 customer reviews)
RRP: £19.99
Price: £3.98 & eligible for Free UK delivery on orders over £5 with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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  • This item: The History Boys [DVD] [2006] DVD ~ Richard Griffiths

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The History Boys [DVD] [2006] 3.4 out of 5 stars (83)
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Product details

  • Actors: Richard Griffiths, Stephen Campbell Moore, Frances De La Tour, James Corden, Sacha Dhawan
  • Directors: Nicholas Hytner
  • Format: Anamorphic, PAL
  • Language English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: 15
  • Studio: 20th Century Fox
  • DVD Release Date: 5 Mar 2007
  • Run Time: 100 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (83 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B000M2DLIY
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 947 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

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Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Based on the acclaimed play of the same name, The History Boys is a faithful, intelligent piece of cinema, even if it is a little reluctant to stray from its theatrical roots.

Penned by Alan Bennett and set in 1982 Yorkshire, The History Boys follows a group of ‘A’ Level students as they’re schooled through their attempts to get into Oxbridge. Under the tutelage of Richard Griffiths’ liberal Hector and Campbell Moore’s Irwin, there’s plenty here to admire. Firstly, the script crackles along, with snappy dialogue and characters well worthy of your interest. Secondly, the performances from the predominantly young cast are well worthy of note. And then there’s the deft directorial touch of Nicholas Hytner (The Madness Of King George, The Crucible), all of which lifts The History Boys into a film of real merit.

There are questions to be asked over whether you’re expected to sympathise with one or two characters in the film, of course, and there’s the aforementioned issue that it’s far too faithful to the source play (which results in an overlong running time). But ultimately, The History Boys is a witty, challenging and testing film, whose qualities outweigh its problems. --Jon Foster

Synopsis
A group of history pupils at a boys’ grammar school in Sheffield pursue a place at Oxford or Cambridge, where they are subjected to contrasting styles of teaching. Adapted from Alan Bennett’s (THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE) immensely successful play of the same name, THE HISTORY BOYS focuses on the experiences of eight history students at a grammar school in northern England in the mid 1980s as they attempt to get a place at the top two universities in the country; Oxford and Cambridge. The headmaster of the school is keen to send as many of his pupils to Oxbridge as possible and employs supply teacher Irwin (Stephen Campbell Moore, BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS) to teach them the tricks of trade concerning how to get into Oxford or Cambridge. This style of teaching is contrasted sharply with that of the boys’ eccentric and maverick English teacher Hector (Richard Griffiths, WITHNAIL AND I) and the facts and figures based teaching style of their history teacher Mrs Linnott (Frances De La Tour, HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE). THE HISTORY BOYS primarily focuses on the state of the education system in the 1980s and what the teenage boys learn about life, love and education along the way and succeeds in being a hugely entertaining film about growing up and the different approaches to life one can take.

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Customer Reviews

83 Reviews
5 star:
 (31)
4 star:
 (18)
3 star:
 (7)
2 star:
 (8)
1 star:
 (19)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.4 out of 5 stars (83 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Every bit as good as the stage play., 9 Sep 2007
By I. R. Scott (Hove England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
A brilliant film. Superbly acted by a cast who manage to project real emotion to the screen. Having seen the stage play twice, I was doubtful that the film could be as good. Fortunately the temptation to sensationalise some parts were avoided and the resulting film is excellent. Isn't is funny how those who object on moral grounds only seem worried by the homosexuality. Of the critical reviews I have read, not one condemned the headmaster for his groping of the school secretary!. Modern day standards or just discrimination?
I viewed the DVD on rental and purchased it the following day. Can not recommend it highly enough..
Ian Scott
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43 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The History Boys, 8 Jun 2007
By Malc Toll (London, UK) - See all my reviews
I have bought many DVD's through Amazon, but having seen this film on the stage, at the cinema and now on a rented DVD, I decided to share my views with others for the first time. Perhaps being a little biased as I think everything Alan Bennett writes is worth reading or looking at, I must disagree with those reviewers who feel it is too faithful to the stage play. If it hadn't been then I think it would have diminished the quality of the production.
I've shared the film with any friends of a variety of ages, from 17 to 87 and there has not been one who hasn't found it a very enjoyable experience. A film well worth taking the time to look at.
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Education matters, 27 Aug 2007
By Fred Porlock (London, UK) - See all my reviews
It's clear from the wide range of review comments that this film is not for everyone. If you don't see the point of education, forget it. But the film raises an issue that for many people is very important today -- just what is education for? -- and answers it on two different levels. Explicitly, "pass it on", which doesn't sound very much. But it's the implicit message that matters, which is that education is essential for giving people confidence and fulfillment, as well as many other things.
The film differs in one significant respect from the stage play which was so successful at the National Theatre. Posner, whom Alan Bennett says had much of his younger self in, no longer ends up as a psychotic loner but becomes another teacher. This changes the balance of the moral, as well as increasing the gay emphasis. Bennett has also excised the puzzling opening of the play in which Irwin is seen as a spin-doctor. Yes, the younger actors were getting a bit old for 18-year-olds by the time the film was made, but the visual settings are splendid, and I'm sure I'm not the only viewer who finds the ending -- in either version -- moving.
If your're remotely interested in why people should learn beyond functional necessities, you should see the film or the play, doesn't matter which. If you're not -- why not?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking but enjoyable
I enjoyed this film very much. I identified with many aspects as I attended an all boys school myself. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Mr. L. Rayner

1.0 out of 5 stars The hero is a teacher who sexually abuses schoolboys!
It's a mystery to me why this is seen as somehow okay.

Imagine if the 60 year-old schoolteacher was groping girls, or if a 60 year-old Catholic priest was groping... Read more
Published 28 days ago by Berwell

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best movies ever
The History Boys was so engaging that I didn't even notice how long the movie was until after I finished watching. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Ms. S. Grant

3.0 out of 5 stars Pass it Over
Interesting film, actually made me miss the deep thinking I did in high school and college. But I'll never miss the sexual prowess that is such a part of that age. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Kimberly Wallis

5.0 out of 5 stars Great production - one for my library
I am sorry I missed the stage play. The film on the big screen was realy engaging. Low key but maintained attention throughout. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Downsman

4.0 out of 5 stars Schoolboy banter
I thought this was a highly enjoyable film and one to be recommended on two counts. Firstly, the script was entertaining: the dialogue was intelligent and witty. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Phillipa Brookes

5.0 out of 5 stars like it
Not much time to write this well, written and nice use of french and historical references ,characters believable if a little well mannered i really like it
Published 11 months ago

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must See
Set in 1983 and featuring a rough and ready group of working class, gifted and quite charming teenage boys as they prepare for their Oxbridge entrance exams and interviews... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Ian Bates

4.0 out of 5 stars History boys, take a bow...
A friend told me about this film and I'm sure I would have enjoyed it less had I not known that it was previously a successful West End play. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Eclectic Reader

5.0 out of 5 stars Provoking but thoughtful
I do like the French lesson with the prostituée and the switch to "un hôpital en Belgique avec des soldats mutilés". Wry humour, homosexuality, it's all there to provoke us. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mr. Michael Domnin

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