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| The History Boys [2006] | ![The History Boys [2006]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51rpo6BkzCL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Director: Nicholas Hytner
Actors: Richard Griffiths, Stephen Campbell Moore, Frances De La Tour, James Corden, Sacha Dhawan
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Category: DVD
List Price: £19.99
Buy New: £1.50
You Save: £18.49 (92%)
New (27) from £1.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  78 reviews
Sales Rank: 1590
Format: Anamorphic, Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Running Time: 100 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5039036029759
ASIN: B000M2DLIY
Theatrical Release Date: 2006
Release Date: March 5, 2007
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: cellophane still on
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
Based on the acclaimed play of the same name, The History Boys is a faithful, intelligent piece of cinema, even if it is a little reluctant to stray from its theatrical roots.Penned by Alan Bennett and set in 1982 Yorkshire, The History Boys follows a group of `A' Level students as they're schooled through their attempts to get into Oxbridge. Under the tutelage of Richard Griffiths' liberal Hector and Campbell Moore's Irwin, there's plenty here to admire. Firstly, the script crackles along, with snappy dialogue and characters well worthy of your interest. Secondly, the performances from the predominantly young cast are well worthy of note. And then there's the deft directorial touch of Nicholas Hytner (The Madness Of King George, The Crucible), all of which lifts The History Boys into a film of real merit. There are questions to be asked over whether you're expected to sympathise with one or two characters in the film, of course, and there's the aforementioned issue that it's far too faithful to the source play (which results in an overlong running time). But ultimately, The History Boys is a witty, challenging and testing film, whose qualities outweigh its problems. --Jon Foster
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| Customer Reviews: Read 73 more reviews...
 i already review this on play.com July 3, 2008
Seems similar to something i read before, blew me away perfect writing good french and i am part french, it is not like my stuff thats why i loved it although im not homophobic some gay and straight guys are sometimes mean there not in this though perhaps i like gay people but im straight, make sense of that if you can i cant, not good at this review stuff beautifully shot at Oxford believable characters well good writing having written before being my self almost does it but gets away with not to clever, my mum would like it but sometimes she does not like me as i dis-agree with her but like her i loved it
 History boys, take a bow... June 8, 2008
A friend told me about this film and I'm sure I would have enjoyed it less had I not known that it was previously a successful West End play. Written by the well known English poet and writer, Alan Bennett, it feels more like a play than a film - the characters are larger than life and the musical backdrop is a bit of a giveaway.
Set in Britain in the 80s/90s (judging by the music) the plot follows a group of state school boys who have qualified for admission interviews at Oxford and Cambridge Universities. The headmaster feels that despite the boys' obvious intelligence, they lack a certain `flair' against their public school competition. So he recruits a young Oxbridge graduate straight from teacher training school to polish the boys for the entrance exams and interviews.
In stark contrast to their existing teacher and mentor, Hector, (played by Richard Griffiths), this new teacher instructs them in the art of passing exams - paraphrased as: `the truth doesn't matter - as long as your answer is interesting'. This new style of teaching grates with Hector whose own lessons meander through acting out the antics of a Paris Brothel in French, reading poetry, and acting out modern film. Showing a total disregard for the syllabus or any other conventional teaching method, yet infusing the boys with a passion and interest in creative learning. Very Dead Poets Society.
Themes in the film include, the British class system, homosexuality, love, women's rights, coming of age angst, literature, and the passing on of wisdom - or as we call it the Education system. Hector: `Pass it on boys, pass it on'.
The cast of boys and teachers are great and play their characters with all the passion of the stage. If viewed solely as a film it could be seen as overacted but Bennett's clever script with constant subtext and sharp wit serve to remind us it's more than a film.
I can't believe I'm going to say this but I actually think it would be good to read as a play - not normally something that I'm in to.
The director, Nicholas Hytner, must share the praise - taking a successful play and making it into a film (in 30 days) is a great achievement - of vision and leadership and art. Watch the DVD extras for an insight into the journey from play to film and back.
My rating of 4 stars takes account that it's not my preferred genre, but a good piece of art nevertheless.
For more Alan Bennett, read (or watch) `Lady in a Van'.
Provoking but thoughtful May 28, 2008
I do like the French lesson with the prostituee and the switch to "un hopital en Belgique avec des soldats mutiles". Wry humour, homosexuality, it's all there to provoke us. The lesson from Hector is what we learn we should pass it on. When you watch this film, what will you learn about responsibilities, perverting children, but in the background and only hinted, the permissiveness of the head, the red tapes at Oxford. These last two points are just as malevolent as the blatant homosexuality of Hector.Because if his deviation is not to be condoned then the other flaws must be considered too.
What is in the background of this well-observed film? I was very moved by it. Our society is not only sick with sex and its deviation, but with many other things...
Fantastic March 26, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Marvellous film. I've just read Alan Bennett's book 'Untold Stories'. Perhaps that helped me understand the film, as I'm not very bright. There are better reviews than mine on this site but, for what it's worth, I thought this film was marvellous. Bennett is practical, clever, and has a sense of humour which, to me, is the most important thing in life. He can laugh at himself. It's these attributes which made him able to write such a good film. I wish him well.
 Obsessed March 22, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
An entertaining story spoilt by obsession with homosexuality. Bennett is typical of his ilk but in fact does his best work when he manages to stay away from sex as in the Lady in the Van. Had Yorkshire youth by the early 80s become so bold as to sexually proposition teachers for the fun of it? Perhaps only in Bennett's
scripts.
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