Dead Poets Society
At an elite, old-fashioned boarding school in New England, a passionate English teacher inspires his students to rebel against convention and seize the potential of every day, courting the disdain of the stern headmaster.
Audience Sentiment
O Captain! My Captain! - Standing ovation
Neil's tragic suicide
The dramatic plunge from Neil's triumphant stage performance (8.4) to his devastating suicide (5.9), followed by the soaring finale where students stand on desks (9.8) - a 3.9 point swing that takes audiences from despair to transcendence
Dead Poets Society delivers a powerful emotional journey that starts strong with Robin Williams' inspiring teacher introduction, maintains high engagement through character development and unconventional teaching methods, then devastates audiences with Neil's tragic suicide before culminating in one of cinema's most uplifting and cathartic endings. Despite the heartbreaking low point, the film's message of seizing the day and thinking for oneself resonates deeply with viewers, earning widespread critical acclaim for its performances, direction, and lasting inspirational impact.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 51
Robin Williams
John Keating
Robert Sean Leonard
Neil Perry
Ethan Hawke
Todd Anderson
Josh Charles
Knox Overstreet
Gale Hansen
Charlie Dalton
Dylan Kussman
Richard Cameron
Allelon Ruggiero
Steven Meeks
James Waterston
Gerard Pitts
Norman Lloyd
Mr. Nolan
Kurtwood Smith
Mr. Perry
Carla Belver
Mrs. Perry
Leon Pownall
McAllister
George Martin
Dr. Hager
Joe Aufiery
Chemistry Teacher
Matt Carey
Hopkins
Kevin Cooney
Joe Danburry
Jane Moore
Mrs. Danburry
Lara Flynn Boyle
Ginny Danburry
Colin Irving
Chet Danburry
Alexandra Powers
Chris Noel
Crew
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