Dead Poets Society

At a strict New England boarding school, a charismatic English teacher arrives with a passion for poetry and independent thinking. John Keating encourages the boys to look at literature with fresh eyes, challenge conventional authority, and seize the day. He nudges them to find their own voice, even when that means defying long-standing rules. The students secretly form the Dead Poets Society, meeting in hidden spaces to read aloud, dream aloud, and support one another's ambitions. As the campus atmosphere tightens under a stern headmaster, the boys must weigh the cost of rebellion against duty and family expectations, all while learning that poetry can change how they see themselves. Its quiet authority rests in the way it listens to its students.

Directed by Peter Weir, Dead Poets Society adapts Tom Schulman's screenplay from an original story. Released in 1989, the film pairs Weir's measured direction with a stirring ensemble led by Robin Williams, delivering performances that linger long after the scene.

The screenplay earned the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, a recognition of Schulman's intelligent, cleanly drawn dialogue and structure. The win is widely cited as a turning point for screenwriting history. Its crisp pacing and accessible themes helped popularize intelligent dramas in schools and among young audiences.

Its legacy includes the phrase 'Oh Captain My Captain' and the image of students reciting poetry with bold defiance, which has echoed in later films and school plays. The movie is often cited as a touchstone for free thinking in education, inspiring classroom conversations. Its influence extends into classrooms worldwide.

Critics praised the film for its warmth and seriousness, balancing humor with a sober look at pressure and conformity. Audiences respond to the honest performances and the treatment of adolescence as a crucible where language and friendship shape identity, testing ambition against family expectations.