Perhaps the most beloved of Robin Williams' films.
we look back at Dead Poets Society, and how it nearly fell apart.
This piece contains spoilers for Dead Poets Society.
In fact, a few other high profile critics also confessed to not being bowled over.
And its a film that for many reasons is the most fondly remembered of Williams career.
Dead Poets Society, after all, is a film that means a lot to a lot of people.
That considered, though, itd be remiss to not see some of what Ebert had to say.
Theres something steadfastly straightforward about the narrative drive of the film, for example.
Theres a debate there about whether he breaks character with the former, or whether thats part of Keating.
But you know what?
The film gets people, and that in itself is no small achievement.
Whats more, I think it works.
I for one have always been fond of the film.
Furthermore, the version of the script that he eventually sent off was his very first.
It would prove a wise choice.
That said, getting the film to the screen wasnt straightforward.
But eventually, it hired Jeff Kanew the director ofRevenge Of The Nerds to helm the movie.
If youre thinking he sounds like an odd choice, then you might just be right.
Kanew not unreasonably had his own casting ideas.
Thus, Disney tried a hardball tactic to try and get everything moving.
For even then, after Kanew departed the film, Dustin Hoffman was next in line.
He in fact signed on both to play John Keating, and to helm the project.
Yet scheduling difficulties meant that he too ultimately had to pass.
Eventually, then, the film landed on the desk of eventual director Peter Weir.
He soon signed on the dotted line.
With Weir on board, things came together.
I think, on screen, the ensemble thatDead Poetsmanages to assemble is what helps makes it so special.
Take the character of Cameron as an example.
Cameron wouldnt do that, he argued.
It was an approach reminiscent to the one Francis Ford Coppola employed withThe Outsiders.
In fact, the only person who wasnt really ready come day one of shooting was Robin Williams.
As such, in the early days, his performance wasnt quite clicking.
Then, he found his feet.
Weir was open to improvisation beyond Williams, it should be noted, and generous with his cast.
As John Badham notes in his excellent books on film directing, the best directors listen.
The memorable moment, where Todd (Ethan Hawke) throws his deskset off the top of the roof?
That came from Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard just trying things to make the scene work.
They went away, worked on it together, and came up with the answer.
Yet the best directors treat people right.
On rewatchingDead Poets Society, one thing that quickly struck me is how good Weir is at world-building.
In this case, one school assembly and we pretty much know the rules here.
This frees him up to spend quality time with the films characters.
Still, there are many reasons I think whyDead Poets Societyresonates with so many people.
Kurtwood Smith, then.
But he did make himunderstandable.
At heart, hes a man with one son, who he wants to have the very best.
Sure, hes strict, harsh, and that bloke who tried to take down RoboCop.
But Kurtwood Smiths outstanding performance makes sure that Mr Perry is also a human being.
Look at his reaction although I never liked the slo-mo when he discovers his sons body.
A two dimensional bastard?
Far from it, even with relatively little screen time.
I like that bit a lot.
Shame he got expelled, though.
It feels like hes constantly front and centre of the film, but he really isnt.
As with most films, theres a lot ofDead Poets Societythat we ultimately didnt see.
Going through the extra scenes, its hard to quarrel with Weirs decision to cut them out.
Neil Perry wasnt the only character death in the original plan for the movie, either.
By Schulmans original script for the film, John Keating is said to be dying of cancer.
At one stage, the boys discover this.
This was a dying man, devastated by the loss of Neil.
And a sequence was shot too that would see Keating attend a meeting of the Dead Poets Society.
By deleting the latter, Keating still had some distance from his students.
Right here, in fact…
Terrific music, but a fuller release of theDead Poetsscore would still be appreciated.
I think most of us, though, are satisfied with what we ultimatelydidget withDead Poets Society.
Its a movie that doesnt need gimmicks, and doesnt overforce its drama.
Best skipDangerous Minds, though).
If Gerard Depardieu hadnt had a year-long wait for his services, Peter Weir would have madeGreen Cardinstead.
But thats the movies for you, right?
Continue to rest in peace, Captain.
