"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, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life, but poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for."... My favorite quote of Mr. Keating.

Ethan Hawke did an interview not too terribly long ago and he talked about this movie. He said Robin was always on and spent his time trying to make everyone laugh. But Ethan refused to laugh. He wanted to prove to everyone he could be a real serious actor and didn’t want to be seen screwing around. After the film came out he received a phone call. It was Robin’s agent and he said he was calling because Robin had told him the kid was going to be something special and he signed Hawke as a client.

When Robin Williams died..the news anchor(woman) of the main German news (Caren Miosga) was pretty sad ....then on air she got onto her table and said "Oh Captain! My Captain"...I´ll never forget that

An important scene, that I think get overlooked too often, is at the end when Mr. Keating is packing his things, he looks outside and sees the Latin teacher outside with his students teaching his students. So it's not only some the students that Mr Keating changed, he changed some of the staff as well.

Proud to say I was fired by a school like this. I taught off the syllabus and encouraged them to disagree with me. The students made a petition to keep me. It's framed and means more to me than my degree. Now, as a therapist, it's both inspiring and heartbreaking to see how many of the students I see are living in fear of their parents' expectations yet still trying to be true to themselves. A parents' role is to set you on your way, to empower you to grow beyond them.

14:43 And many years later Robert Sean Leonard would go on to ACTUALLY play a Doctor in House.

Many moons ago when I was in 7th grade, my English teacher noticed that I already had an above-average grasp of grammar and spelling which was what was on the syllabus for the class. She also noticed that I loved reading and had a gift for creative writing. She petitioned the powers that were to allow her to replace the grammar and spelling material for me and replace it with literature and writing. They said no because it wasn't fair to the other kids. By mid-term, the entire school was required to take general education tests, which came back with percentages for each student about the material. In reading and comprehension, my score was so high that the line that marked the height of the percentage results literally ran off the page. She tried once again to get the powers that were to consent to her making a different syllabus for me, using my test scores to show her reasoning. They still said no. Then, that courageous, amazing teacher took me aside and said if I wanted to, she would give me the vocabulary and spelling words list on Mondays just like the other students, and on Fridays, I would show up and take the vocabulary and spelling tests just like the other students. However, from Tuesday to Thursday, I would go next door to an empty classroom and do work out of a high school literature book that she gave me. I was also to write whatever I liked, short stories, poetry, non-fiction, whatever and give it to her on Fridays as well, which she would take home and grade and write tips on the paper to give back to me on Mondays. I knew, even then, that she was taking a HUGE risk by doing this. Even as a 12-year-old, I understood that she was a special and exceptional teacher and that I was very lucky to have her. The second half of my seventh-grade year I received the first inklings of what I was meant to do in this world. She was a young teacher, so it is possible she is still around, and I wish I could find a way to tell her just what an impact she had on me. I now hold a Master's degree in creative writing and am a published poet and short-story writer. I've also had the good fortune to be able to work as an assistant teacher as well, where I tried to give back what she gave me. I never had to battle the powers that be like she did, but her legacy carried down in everything I was able to teach over the years. Teachers like this are rare, but they do exist, and it is always my hope that they are given the space to have such a powerful influence on other children, the way that mine did for me.

Peter Weir (the director) is an under-appreciated Master. The Truman Show, Master & Commander, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Witness, Year of Living Dangerously... all A+

My mother was an English teacher, and one time a student of hers was watching this movie with his mother. After the movie, the mother said something like "Wouldn't it be amazing to have a teacher like that?" and the student said he DID have a teacher like that and said it was my mother. My mother considered that to be the greatest honor she ever received in her teaching career.

My high school English teacher (I had him several times) was the only teacher that ever encouraged us to be daring. If you had an insane idea for an assignment, he would DEMAND you flesh it out. He would also jump up on the desks and jump from desk to desk as he asked us questions. Really kept everyone engaged. EVERYONE wanted to have him for English. Among many other things he influenced for me, he made me look past the antiquated language of Shakespeare and Marlowe and appreciate the beauty of the stories and the prose. I'm 54 now and it's fair to say no other person has ever influenced my love of literature more than he, and I'm sure no-one else ever will. He provided much of the joy of my high school experience.

"What will your verse be?" I can not overstate how much I ADORE this film.

I love George's comments about Neil’s dad. He's the first reactor I've ever seen that puts his reactions in the appropriate historical context. The dad's reaction makes perfect sense given the time in which he was born and raised. He’s almost certainly a WW2 veteran, and is old enough that he likely came of age during a time of extreme impoverishment-the Great Depression. He probably literally does think that his son being a doctor will keep him alive-he’ll always have work if another depression hits, and he’ll be out of the immediate line of fire if another war hits. He loves his son, it’s clear from his reaction to Neil’s death, but his idea of safety and protection has been altered by his experiences. He discounts what his son says not because he doesn’t care, but because of his greater awareness of life’s miseries. Teenagers and young adults often interpret events only through their own context. They assume that the pressures they were raised with are universal, but a lot can change in a generation. The tragedy of Neil’s suicide isn’t just that a promising kid died-it’s that it happened despite his father’s best efforts to protect him. The dad's incapable of seeing his own role in the matter, but the older I get the more I ache for both of them instead of just Neil.

There were two teachers who really made a difference for me. The first noticed that behind the annoying, hyper, socially maladjusted 10yo was a curious mind, a child yearning for encouragement and to be more than an annoyance to somebody. If it wasn't for her, I don't think I would have had the courage to pursue academic interests. The other teacher taught classes in literature, ethics, and history. He was really formative during my last 4 years at school before going to university. The discussions we had in his classes were a wonderful way to discover the subjects and topics... and his influence contributed a lot to my decision to study (and graduate in) philosophy. I am so very grateful for these two people. And this movie is a beautiful reminder of what teachers like these can be for others.

In high school, my favorite teacher taught history. In my senior year, he taught a History of Russia class at 7:00am. Just ten students and the teacher, bullshitting about communism, the weirdness of the tsars, and WWII. He let us keep the textbooks, since it was last year of the class. I still have it. It was as close to this movie as I ever got.

"O Captain - my captain" *loses it*

Neil did finish medical school after all. And became Dr. Wilson.😅

I'm a combat veteran who is struggling to find purpose in regular life. I feel that life has no value. Both the "gather ye rosebuds" scene and the "you may contribute a verse" scene are very helpful to me. So are "get busy living or get busy dying" from Shawshank and "all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us" from LOTR. Regardless of whether or not life has purpose, we are only here for a short time and what we choose to do with that time is what gives it value. Life is too short to waste having an existential crisis. Be depressed about the fragility of life later, when you're dead. For now, while you're alive, make every moment meaningful. Live deliberately, so that when you die, you will not discover that you have not lived.

This movie was the movie that made people realize that Robin Williams could actually be a serious actor. People were stunned by his performance here. Also, Simone nailed it when she said "A bit of both"

A clever bit of symbolism at the beginning of the film (where the students are walking in with the school flags), if you rewatch the scene, you'll notice how TRADITION was the first flag displayed by the boarding school (@1:57) and EXCELLENCE (being the "best you" you could be) was dead last @2:10. Illustrates the school's priorities. Great symbolism, subtext, direction and script!

"started out silly, but then it got real" ...coulda been the tagline for this entire movie.

I especially like that in the end, not every student stood on his desk for Mr. Keating, and that one of the ones who did was the extra nerdy kid with the perpetually runny nose.

Robin Williams was the type of person that if he was still around, if he saw this video, saw how you personally felt about him and how he impacted your life, he would probably go completely out of his way to go and see you in person himself. I miss him so much. Also, this film should be shown in EVERY CLASSROOM ACROSS THIS NATION.

My first year in uni. Huge film... "Oh Captain! My Captain!" How we miss him.

This fim actually inspired me to be a teacher. The bit that did it for me was Keating standing on the table and saying 'I do this to remind myself to always look at things a different way.'

I went to a Catholic, all boys school like this - but not a boarding school - in the late 80s. The faculty was completely the opposite of what was portrayed in the film: the vast majority of my teachers demanded that we think outside the box. It was really some place special. I'm still connected to many of those teachers, as well as many of my classmates, via Facebook. I've been extremely fortunate for that experience.

I often joke about the longevity of certain actors. I like to say that in this film we see Norman Lloyd way, way back when he was only 103.

I spent about half of your reaction wiping my eyes. This movie came out during my third year of high school, it meant a great deal to me (and still does). Very pleased that you both enjoyed it so much.

LOVE this movie. Typing through tears. I always saw his acting as a metaphor for being gay, or whatever would cause him to be rejected by his family. Acting itself was an act of rebellion that was unimaginable for his family. I was out of it incredibly heartbreaking

This came out between my junior and senior years of high school, and my entire AP English class as seniors took the name Dead Poets Society and used it in our activities area in the yearbook that year. It had a really big impact on me, and is still my favorite Robin Williams film (and I love most of his films). George, your thought about all the students becoming like Keating is pretty cool. In fact, I had a hope for a long time that someone would take the character of Todd Anderson, and continue his story...either in a film set ten or so years after DPS with Ethan Hawke playing the role, or a TV series. Anyway... - Won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar, and was the second Best Actor nomination for Robin Williams. - Simone, you're right, Josh Charles (Knox Overstreet) was on the Good Wife. He was also in Aaron Sorkin's first TV series Sports Night. Recently, he reunited with Ethan Hawke for the video for Taylor Swift & Post Malone song "Fortnite" (they play scientists in a brief cameo). Ethan approached Josh after Ethan's daughter Maya Hawke (a friend of Taylor's) approached Ethan on Taylor's behalf. Since the song is from Taylor's recent album, The Tortured Poet's Department (the title inspired by Dead Poets Society), it makes sense. - I thought that Robert Sean Leonard (Neil Perry) would have been recognized since he was on the series House. Shortly after this film, Robert was offered the role of Claudio in Kenneth Branagh's film adaptation of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, which also co-starred Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Imelda Staunton, and Kate Beckinsale in her film debut as Hero, Claudio's love interest. If you guys ever start doing Shakespeare movies, this should be one of the first, it is superb! - During the filming, Ethan Hawke, who had no representation when cast, considered himself a very serious actor, and in his later years called himself pretentious about it. However, on set, being very serious, he really tried to not let Robin Williams get under his skin and make him laugh. He was adamant about not breaking character. This caused Williams to focus intensely on Hawke during filming, doing whatever he could to get a laugh. After the film wrapped, Hawke got a call from an agent. Specifically, Robin Williams's agent, and the agent was coaxed by Williams to take on Hawke as his client because Williams felt that Hawke had a bright future as an actor. So, Hawke got his breakout role and an agent that I think is still representing him today. - Pitts, the first student Keating calls on is James Waterston, son of Sam Waterston (Law & Order, Grace and Frankie), and half-brother to Katherine Waterston (Tina Goldstein in the Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them spin-off films set in the Harry Potter universe). - Mr. Nolan, the headmaster was played by Norman Lloyd, who is a bit of a legend, having acted in every media since he started in 1923. Stage, screen, radio, and television.He was a member of the Mercury Theater under Orson Welles, and appeared in films for directors like Alfred Hitchcock, Charlie Chaplin, and Martin Scorsese. He retired in 2015, and lived to age 106, passing in 2021.

This is one of those movies I showed my kid when he was about 14-15 as it opens up for some deeper talk to some hard subjects. Brilliant movie.

i watched this movie in my grade 9 English class. when the bell rang everyone seemed to get up nonchalantly and leave, meanwhile I was sitting at my desk straight up WEEPING. this movie changed my life.

I saw a movie theater marquee that was advertising this movie and The Karate Kid. The theater was showing the Karate Kid and then The Dead Poets Society later on that night. Whoever did the marquee had a bit of a sense of humor. They showed the time for the Karate Kid and then the Dead Poets Society, but they didn't have enough of the correct letter to spell it all out. It read: 7 Karate Kids with 900 Dead Poets So much senseless killing. 😒

Simone's sus of Cameron early on is pretty amazing.

If you want to see the MOST somber Robin Williams performance ever..... watch his movie "What Dreams May Come". That movie.... it gets me every time.

Fun thing about this movie is that the actor that plays Charles has a KZfaq channel and uploaded some behind-the-scenes footage he had filmed during the making of this movie. Like early vlog style of the boys running around the city.

"Ethan Hatchling." I tip my hat to you, sir.

Ethan Hawke was annoyed by Robin Williams comedic antics on set because he wanted to be a serious and professional actor. After the film was released he got a call from Robin’s talent agent. The agent said he was urged by Robin to sign him. Ethan has stated he owes his career to Robin. ❤

When Robin Williams passed, Jimmy Fallon did a beautiful tribute by standing on his desk and said, "O, captain! My captain! You will be missed."

I had an amazing teacher named Mrs. Fath in high school. I believe her name was Edna. I didn't know I was on the spectrum at the time because I don't think i twas a diagnosis yet (Aspergers). She tolerated my weirdness, and in fact encouraged it. Then we went away for Xmas break and when we came back she was gone. I assure you EVERYONE in my class was disappointed. She was replaced by the angriest younger woman I have ever seen, who had no business teaching. I mean don't they give these people psych exams? Anyway, Mrs. Fath is someone I always planned to track down to tell her how amazing she was, but as time went by I never did. I finally did an exhaustive internet search last summer and believe I found that she had retired in Virginia and passed away. Sadly I will never get to tell her how special she was.

This is the first time I've seen George cry... I mean poke himself in the eye 😛 I'm also trying to imagine Simone as gangster in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Also ironic and sad that Robin Williams met the same fate and his parents weren't even to blame for it.

I’m always sad to hear when someone I don’t know dies, but I never cry. But, I swear to you, when Robin Williams died, I weeped…i weeped like I had just found out a friend had died.

I understand Neil COMPLETELY, when I was 15 i tried to take my own life and failed, I had an essay in class the next period and I wrote about it. My parents were called to the school and they get angry and shouted at me because in that essay I scored a failure. That day I learned I wasn't safe.

I must believe that Mr Williams took his role as lead actor in this film seriously, as a true mentor to these phenomenal young actors. ❤

The screenwriter, Tom Schulman, based the story on his own experience attending a boarding school and having an inspirational teacher there. If I were to guess, I'd say Todd, the Ethan Hawke character, is probably meant to be a young Schulman. Todd started out extremely shy, was inspired by Mr. Keating to come out of his shell and you could easily imagine him growing up to become a writer.

Never had a teacher fundamentally inspire me. But my 8th grade homeroom and math teacher Mrs. Stumpf (the daughter of my 3rd grade homeroom teacher Mrs. Campo), had a shining spirit that came through in her smile. She wanted to be happy at her job and us to be happy while learning. She never said that. It just came across in her everyday vibe.

Not only did they film in chronological order for the sake of the young actors, but Peter Weir also had them live together for a few weeks before filming started, so they could bond earlier. He also gave them specific music to listen to while they were living together and preparing for their roles. Music from the time period that the movie was set in. Also, the scene where Todd is crying out in the snow after Neal‘s death, that was originally filmed inside one of the buildings. But after they did it, take of it inside, the Director noticed it was snowing outside and decided on the fly to do a takeout side. They got it done in one take and it immediately stopped snowing after he yelled cut. It was literally a perfect shot. This is definitely in my top 10 favorite movies. And it’s one that I think about quite often. A few times a year at least. Rest in peace, Robin. Thank you for all you did. You are greatly missed. 💙💙💙

One of my favorite movies of all time and really important for kids in high school to watch to be honest. It took many times watching to catch onto this, but Todd found his voice, his YAWP in Neil's death while out in the snow. It is his name that gives him his voice. Such a powerful movie. This movie makes me have an urge for you two to watch Mr. Holland's Opus because it deals with teachers too. Has a lot of similarities to this movie, but different.

Another great movie featuring a soft spoken Robin Williams is “Awakenings”. He plays an anxious psychiatrist who makes a nearly miraculous breakthrough with patients that had been left as supposedly untreatable. The movie also features Robert De Niro as one of the patients and both he and Robin give fantastic performances. I would LOVE to see you guys react to it.

This is one of my favorite Robin Williams characters. People forget that he was a phenomenal dramatic actor. He will always be missed. If you like films that revolve around schools like this I highly recommend toy soldiers. Lords of discipline. Or TAPS. I have yet to see anyone react to these films and they're all phenomenal

When I was 8 I had a teacher I will never forget. I can't recall why exactly, but she assured us that you can float a needle on water... which I flatly refused to believe. The teacher then set the rest of the class to doing something while she spent close to an hour attempting to prove that you can indeed float a needle on water until, eventually, she did it. I remember the sense of awe and wonder that gripped me to see with my own eyes that ordinary needle floating unsupported, on the surface of the water, like magic. I doubt they tell you to do that sort of thing in teacher training, but I'm sure glad she did.

Finally! A reactor who recognized Josh Charles from The Good Wife. Most reactors recognize Robert Sean Leonard from House instead.

25:52 My 6th grade homeroom teacher, Mr. Matz, inspired and taught us through interaction, humor, games and really listening and understanding his students. I still fondly remember his class some forty years later.

George: "Wow.....dad cares." Simone: "It's so nice that he cares." ohhh, boy.......😬

"Headmaster! The boys are thinking for themselves!" "Dear god, stop them!"

This is why "Carpe diem" is on every wall. But "Captain, my captain." is awsome.

I've often wished I had a poster of that last scene from Mr. Keating's view looking at the boys standing on their desks. To me, that is one of the most beautiful shots in cinema.

When George asked if anyone in audience went school like this, I was like yeah, but... it wasn't school, it was army, so naturally no thinking and individuality was allowed... This movie breakes my heart. Robin Williams was so good in dramatic roles but he never got enough recognition until Good Will Hunting. Things like Dead Poet Society was nearly forgotten as is Fisher King (1991). Man... Robin Williams was so good with Jeff Bridges in that... and people barely talk about that film-

RIP Robin Williams. From Mork & Mindy to all his other work the man was amazing in everything he did.

That ending will always be one of the most touching moments I'll ever see. Rest in peace Robin. I wish you could have felt the joy you gave to so many others

I had one teacher, science 7th grade, Mr. Wiseburge. He was a funny guy. Made everything intresting, made you see things differently. When we were taking a test he'd walk on our tables and stamp his foot when you had something wrong. Just to give you a second chance at getting it. Awsome guy and Teacher.

Always enjoyed the visual metaphor of these men, literally standing taller because they met this man.

What I find gutting about this film is that you get the impression these people had a change at expressing their creativity through a job afterwards. My parents didn't stifle my creativity like the "Hawk's" dad here, they channeled it through university. It was everywhere else afterwards that's stifled it ever since, except KZfaq, and that started out as a social experiment.

25:51 Miss Klein. High School English teacher. Not only was she a wonderful teacher, but she was also good looking. The best of both worlds.

Directed by the great Peter Weir, who also directed The Truman Show, Witness, The Mosquito Coast, Fearless, Master & Commander, amongst others. Great director.

In the very early 80's in western Canada, in grades 6 through 8, we were still being threatened with 'the strap' for serious offenses.... this wasn't just in the 50''s. I remember we had just got our school's first computers, with old tape cassette drives, to learn basic computer functioning on. There was a lawnmower game on cassette that a few of us liked playing, and we had snuck into the school during recess, to play a bit. We got caught, and the principal brought us into the office an acted like he was going to give us the strap. He had the belt set out on his desk and everything. That was probably around '83 or '84, and that as the last time I ever remember there being physical discipline even mentioned in school. The use of “the strap” as a form of corporal punishment in Western Canadian elementary schools continued until the 1990s. However, it wasn’t until 2004 that the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that corporal punishment was an unreasonable application of force in maintaining classroom discipline. I think Eastern Canadian schools, like in Toronto, stopped the practice in the '70's

I was very fortunate to have a lot of inspirational teachers. Nobody like Robin Williams in this film, but just a lot of people who were actually passionate about the subjects they taught and tried to connect that enthusiasm to their students and who were willing to stick their necks out for them if it was in their best interest. I even went to school to be a teacher in the hopes that I could connect just one student to literature the way some of those teachers connected me to their subjects.

This is one of my favorite movies of all time.

I attended a religious school back in the late 80's. The school A/V club used to have a weekend movie night. One weekend, they showed Monty Python and the Life of Brian.' They got shut down for a whole year.

My favorite teacher 10th english, she knew I had something special but it was stuck behind my own insecurities. She let me chew gum (gum was banned) she even gave me a pack in front of the whole class. 🎉🎉 senior year I graduated walked into her class and handed her a pack of gum in front of her students. They didn't get but she knew exactly what it stood for. ❤

I saw this in the theater while in high school thinking it would be a lighthearted Robin Williams film and dozens of 17-year olds left tearing....

It is hard for me to describe how much this movie meant to me. It played a big part in my decision to become a teacher, and rewatching it reminds me of the difference we as educators can make. An interesting thing I noticed about the ending. Neil died wearing a thorny crown, Dalton is expelled, Cameron gave them up and 10 people are standing up in the classroom as their inspiration leaves the school.

My second favourite Robin Williams movie (behind only Good Will Hunting, and it's close). Hilarious, heart-warming and heart-breaking, and with a brilliant supporting cast (a few stars early in their careers and Kurtwood Smith making Red Forman look like Howard Cunningham). O Captain, my Captain! 😢🥲

As of 2024, corporal punishment is still legal in private schools in every U.S. state except New Jersey, Iowa, New York and Maryland, legal in public schools in 17 states, and practiced in 12 of the states.

HOW do *_so many_* intelligent and perceptive reactors NOT pick up on the fact that Neil is _lying_ about having talked to his father???

Great point about the psychology of Neil's father. He probably did live through the depression & WWII. That's why he is the way he is.

I absolutely ADORE this film.. but the level of anxiety I felt approaching THAT scene was massive.

Fantastic film, you should also try another of his serious rolls, One Hour Photo.

I had an inspiring teacher like that in high school. After three years of having any love of the English language battered out of me, I took a creative writing class. The teacher was amazing. Taught us about life, about thinking differently, about the power that our words had. He helped me through some bad times dealing with the school administration, and set me on my eventual path. About a year ago I caught back up with him on social media and let him know I'd become an author. He was inordinately proud of me, and we still keep in touch. This movie always makes me think of him.

"Carpe Diem" totally was the YOLO of my generation (born 1979).

This is one of those movies that just made an impression when I was a teenager. Not even knowing why exactly, but I feel it. It relates so much❤.And even more now that Robin Williams isn't with us anymore

This was my favourite film of all time from about the age of 11 and in high school I had a teacher that I could tell had watched this, because he did certain things that were fairly similar to Mr Keating, and I loved this teacher so much! He was my favourite of all time - great teachers really can make a difference to kids lives!

I LOVE that it wasn't all the students, at the end, because it wouldn't be, but definitely enough.

I used to be heavily involved in creative writing and poetry when I was in high school. I write a ton of stuff. An ode to the four seasons that took me a decade to fully work out all four parts. Many short poems that would eventually become song lyrics in an old band that I sang for. This was one of the cooler pieces though... I wrote this first intro when I was 18, and have worked on a planned series of 10 parts, over the years and decades, to build upon the story begun here: "The Lives of Din Kincade" The sign of the old gypsy wagon hung by broken latches swinging in the wind it rattled; paint worn off in patches The rain came down in blinding sheets, the newsman promised more It was this night, a frightful sight, that HE walked through her door Chilled to the bone and dripping wet, he wiped he forehead dry "I saw your sign, " he said in time, "as I was passing by." "Come in", she whispered, "warm your hands, and sit right by the fire" and hobbled to the hearth to build the flames a little higher "You have a question, that I see", she turned her sunken eye, to gaze at him, a knowing look... her smile followed nigh He tried to speak, but words escaped; his mind a bitter mess "I've not a reason why I'm here...just simple chance I guess." She moved her chair across the floor to sit aside of him then reached her wrinkled hand to his, her face - a placid grim She turned his hand so she could see the lines along his palm then traced her fingers down a one ridge, her face spelled something wrong She frowned a slight then moved her light, a rusty lantern, near Her mumbled words soon filled the air, he bent on in to hear She pointed to the line that cut a deep ridge, side to side "See this one here", she spoke quite low, "Here's where the troubles lie." "It's called your life line, for it tells your life with every bend" "The trouble is", her face turned white, "yours doesn't seem to end" His eyes grew wide, voice set aside, he couldn't help but stare then gazed on down, a sturdy frown, replaced his forehead bare "Here is your birth", her finger stopped, "you're second to this mother" Then moved her finger farther back, "But here...there is another" She traced the line on back through time, her mouth moved once again through wrinkled lips she uttered this, "You've not one life...but ten" For here begins the tale, told me, even though I've been forbade to pass along this legend called 'The Lives of Din Kincade" ..each part planned to tell the story of each of his 10 lives, through the ages.

My high school physics teacher was like Mr Keating. Passionate about the subject, funny, slightly unhinged, and very much cared about all the students. Also, if the administration saw how many uncontrolled explosions happened in his classroom, he would have been fired immediately.

I went to a school like this in Sydney for 5 years in the 90's. It had a boarding wing/house but I was a normal day student. Some teachers and staff were progressive & approachable but others were brutal. Hopefully those ones have all since died off. Was one of those schools though that really teaches you time management and punctuality to the minute. I ended up finishing highschool in the public system when my parents split but luckily was able to find a tame one.

One of my favorite movies that Robin Williams made. Everyone was very good, and he was outstanding as Mr. Keating.

This movie...Sitting in my living room alone crying my eyes out.

For 'dark Robin Williams', I heartily advise the dark comedy, "Death To Smootchy".

as someone who went to boarding school, this movie means a lot to me. You truly grow up with the people you go to school with and it's an incredible experience that I will miss forever. One of the students I went to school with passed away before she even graduated, Istill think about her all these years later.

Saw this in the theater when it came out...walked out sobbing. It really is just an incredibly amazing, touching, funny and emotional movie that just...*gets* to you.

I was a senior in high school when this came out and I can assure you that it was as inspiring for a host of us as Keating was to his. The pressure the kids felt was real for many of us, even in public school. And this showed us that we weren’t as trapped as we thought we were. I will forever be inspired and touched by this movie.

my senior english teacher was strict, but supportive and encouraging. She shows this movie to all of her students before they study poetry. She's awesome. She made me a better, more confident person, and made me feel seen

29:56 Sounds like the 90s Romeo+Juliet movie with Claire Danes and Leonardo Dicaprio.

O' Captain My Captain! I still get shivers.

A different version of the teacher guide trope is The Emperors Club with Kevin Kline. And Mr Holland’s Opus is another that’s well worth watching.

I had an inspiring math teacher Mr Mathis. I took 2 of his math classes my junior year and he said he thought I shoukd have skipped then both and went right to calculus. Later in life I saw him in Office Depot where I was working and he stopped me and asked, "Why are you here? You should be a professor by now." He truly made me find the love of math that I had lost before having him as a teacher.

I was in high school when this film came out ... in the honor's programs... pushed by my immigrant Chinese parents to "perform academically" and get perfect grades (anything less was failure) ... nothing else should matter more in my life than THAT (getting perfect grades). No distractions were allowed... no extra-curricular activities... no after-school clubs... no friends, honestly... because I was never given the time to spend with these friends outside of school - to build any of those bonds. After I saw this movie... I fought against my parents every single day of my teenage life because I wanted to LIVE and find the joy and happiness and connection to life beyond my textbooks. And my parents and I fought like tigers... they did everything they could to keep me in line and I did everything I could to fight back -- sure, I was still a nerdy little kid with WAY too many fears and anxiety to really get into any REAL trouble ... but I wanted to LIVE so, so badly! It wasn't until I became an adult (after several years away from home - where I barely even spoke to my parents) and came back to visit that I finally felt like my parents had grown to accept me for who I was. And treated me like a social equal. I struggled in life... didn't always have good jobs... nor steady relationships (Go figure, eh? The socially stunted immigrant child who was emotionally and physically abused has trouble making social connections and loving others because of the many years he spent not loving himself) ... but ... I survived... and I did take some positive lessons from my parents - their hard working, stubborn-ness... their desire to push forward for more and to try my best. I am a better person because I was inspired by movies like this one which showed me what it meant to LIVE and not just exist.

LOL! When I was in high school, we did The Taming of the Shrew set in the 60s. Theater teachers always try to shake things up.

One of my all time movies that I rewatch all the time. Thanks for the honest reaction! Rest in Peace Robin Williams

Samuel Pickering, the guy it's based on, taught at the University of Connecticut for a long time.