The History Boys
Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: November 21, 2006
6.1
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 59 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
32
Mixed:
13
Negative:
14
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
8
BGDec 8, 2006
I would disagree with DW. I don't think most of the reviewers are gay, just intelligent. I saw the play in London and it's brilliant, if for language and ideas alone. We don't have a tradition of all male schools in this I would disagree with DW. I don't think most of the reviewers are gay, just intelligent. I saw the play in London and it's brilliant, if for language and ideas alone. We don't have a tradition of all male schools in this country, so it's interesting how certain reviewers in this country can only see this play in light of homosexual panic. Too bad.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
GaryC.Jan 17, 2007
This is one of the best movies I have seen. It is sharp, witty and intellegent. The cast is flawless with superb acting all around. It provoked much discussion after leaving the theater. I just wish I had experienced that kind of interaction This is one of the best movies I have seen. It is sharp, witty and intellegent. The cast is flawless with superb acting all around. It provoked much discussion after leaving the theater. I just wish I had experienced that kind of interaction between teachers and students when I was in High School.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
BillI.May 20, 2007
An excellent adaptation of the smash play from London. You may hear that's its about a pederast teacher, but it's really about how education has detiorated in quality in the modern day (and the pederast is the best educator of all An excellent adaptation of the smash play from London. You may hear that's its about a pederast teacher, but it's really about how education has detiorated in quality in the modern day (and the pederast is the best educator of all the story's teaching characters). Sweet, sad, touching, funny and thought provoking.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
NKJun 6, 2007
Just saw same on video and just felt some of the criticisms of the film need correcting. first, the film does not state that the teacher's rather pathetic gropings are ok. neither is everyone ok with it. indeed, the teacher's bestJust saw same on video and just felt some of the criticisms of the film need correcting. first, the film does not state that the teacher's rather pathetic gropings are ok. neither is everyone ok with it. indeed, the teacher's best friend, the woman teacher is rather saddened to learn of it. and he is about to be fired for same. that said, the boys are 18 not 17 as the voice-over in the extra features makes clear. this extra term in preparing for university was abolished in the early 80s, and it was set before then. the boys find it all rather boring; they have bigger concerns. if one can look beyond the sex and longing and sadness, this is a fascinating discussion about what makes for the best teaching: facts, argument, or interest. but, as the comments suggest, few look past the sex. great acting, too.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
MarkW.Mar 4, 2009
Almost turned it off after the first 15 minutes but it really grew on me.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
ClaytonT.Dec 20, 2006
It has that rare factor where it stays with you long after you have seen it.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
Mr.EOct 14, 2007
I had fun watching this film, despite my unfamiliarity with the play itself. The cast shone in each of their respective characters. A great story addressing some themes rarely combined for adolescents; coming of age, homosexuality, right and I had fun watching this film, despite my unfamiliarity with the play itself. The cast shone in each of their respective characters. A great story addressing some themes rarely combined for adolescents; coming of age, homosexuality, right and wrong... I know what I'll be talking about in my classes Monday morning.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
JohnOApr 14, 2007
Too overtly romanticised and camp (cringingly so at times) to be believable as a portrayal of British school life. It is nonetheless a brilliantly witty, endearing and provocative comment on the function and purpose of education. Its just a Too overtly romanticised and camp (cringingly so at times) to be believable as a portrayal of British school life. It is nonetheless a brilliantly witty, endearing and provocative comment on the function and purpose of education. Its just a shame Bennett chooses to convolute the story with redundant homoerotic musings on teacher/boy relationships, because there is a very poignant theme to the film that this overplay seeks to demerit.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
IgbyE.Apr 22, 2007
The History Boys carries with it a wit and charm unmatched by few movies. It uses language to woo you, excite you and move you. However, most of all, entertain you in a delightfully sly and British way.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
ShannonP.Jun 8, 2007
The dialog is entertaining, and not overly literary as some reviews suggest. The main flaw in the film is that the actors are too old to be playing even the oldest high school students, and the things they do and say are likewise more what The dialog is entertaining, and not overly literary as some reviews suggest. The main flaw in the film is that the actors are too old to be playing even the oldest high school students, and the things they do and say are likewise more what you would expect from young men in their 20's. I suspect this was largely based on the writer(s)' college experience, grafted onto a high school setting. It almost works, and is worth watching despite this flaw. While this is hardly a "pro-homosexual" or "pro-pedophile" movie, it addresses these issues in a more complete and realistic context than is usually the case.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
JaneH.Dec 2, 2006
Thoughtful, entertaining, well-acted. Asks the question what is truth, history and and what is knowledge. What is education for? Is it just to get ahead? Presents two views.."old school" love of literature and knowedge for its own sake, Thoughtful, entertaining, well-acted. Asks the question what is truth, history and and what is knowledge. What is education for? Is it just to get ahead? Presents two views.."old school" love of literature and knowedge for its own sake, modern relativistic view, knowledge and poetry as "gobets" to be exploited for one's own end.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
PaulettaR.Apr 19, 2007
At once highly memorable and utterly charming. So very British yet so very accessible. And so much better than Hollywood tripe like "Dead Poets Society."
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
MB.Dec 9, 2008
A sadly misunderstood film that aims to teach about the value of knowledge in itself, as opposed to the growing modern emphasis on grades and exams. Seeing this through the experiences of the teenagers also gives insight into the many issues A sadly misunderstood film that aims to teach about the value of knowledge in itself, as opposed to the growing modern emphasis on grades and exams. Seeing this through the experiences of the teenagers also gives insight into the many issues most young schoolboys will run into in their lives, and immediately makes them easily identifiable characters. Personally I did not feel their performance was lessened any by their age (go complain about Daniel Radcliffe being too old for harry potter if you want-I'd like to see you try to find an acceptable replacement that would not be abhorred by the fans!) and felt that the original actors from the play were very effective - so effective in fact that once I stopped consciously focusing on their age, I forgot the issue entirely! The exploration of homosexuality is another theme the majority of schoolboys will come across, however little they may admit it, and i felt this film explored the issue well. There is a trend for Hector to be labeled a pedarist when the point was that the boys themselves allowed this to happen as an act of sympathy towards a suppressed man who had very few real pleasures in life. This man is in fact more admirable than anything else, as it is this man, who upon such a short description would appear as a corrupt, lecherous character, who teaches them the real value of learning and knowledge. The various teachers embody different aspects of learning too, and i especially noted the headmaster, more concerned with the grades students get than the students themselves, a trend sadly more common these days. All in all, I feel this film has been too harshly slated by those who only see what is on the surface, and ignore what the film is actually trying to say.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
EnriqueDec 22, 2006
Stagy at some points but superbly acted and directed drama. Unforgettable. Certainly not for homophobics.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
SatiricalewokNov 8, 2014
Equal parts heart-warming and hilarious. This film features a star-studded cast, from before they were stars, with the best performances coming from Dominic Cooper, Jamie Parker, and although in a smaller role Russel Tovey.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
ryu9376Nov 13, 2018
This was surprisingly better than I expected... & that ending is just eating at me... being that I had never seen the play, the whole film played out as new... and I won't forget that film for a quite a while... with impressive performances by all.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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