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Dead Poets Society

year 1989decade 80sdirector Peter Weirgenre Drama
host Bill Simmonshost Mallory Rubinhost Chris Ryan format 30th Anniversary
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The film

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Directed by Peter Weir · Drama

128 minutes

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Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

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
Alexandra Powers Chris Noel
Norman Lloyd Dr. Gale Nolan

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

17:43

Roger Ebert's review
In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 00:17:43Read transcript
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39:03

Half-Assed Internet Research

The deleted Keating leukemia story, chronological filming, the cast living together, Williams’s regard for the film a...

The deleted Keating leukemia story, chronological filming, the cast living together, Williams’s regard for the film and Peter Weir, Cameron refusing the final desk stand, Hawke’s tense relationship with Williams, Delaware locations, a failed first production, and several cast connections

In the discussion (15)
Approx. transcript time · 00:39:03Read transcript
  • The original script reportedly had Keating dying of leukemia, which motivated his carpe diem outlook. — Bill Simmons
  • Peter Weir removed the leukemia subplot, keeping Keating’s private life largely unexplained. — Bill Simmons
  • The actors playing the students reportedly all lived together to forge a sense of community and friendship. — Mallory Rubin
  • The movie was shot chronologically so the relationships could develop in order. — Bill Simmons
  • Robin Williams reportedly called it one of his favorite films and Peter Weir the best director he worked with. — Bill Simmons
  • Robert Sean Leonard later played a doctor on House, matching Mr. Perry’s demand that Neil become a doctor.
  • The actor who played Cameron vetoed having Cameron stand on the desk because it violated the character, and Weir agreed. — Chris Ryan
  • Colin Irving, who played Chet Danbury, is identified as novelist John Irving’s son. — Bill Simmons
  • Ethan Hawke believed Williams disliked him because Hawke resisted the improvisational joking while staying inside Todd’s reserve. — Chris Ryan
  • Williams’s teasing reportedly generated improvised classroom material while supporting Hawke’s character. — Chris Ryan
  • Josh Charles reportedly completed the bicycle ride down the hill in one take. — Bill Simmons
  • The production moved from Georgia to Delaware because fake snow was too difficult or expensive. — Mallory Rubin
  • The studio once wanted the story made as a musical called Sultans of Strut. — Mallory Rubin
  • A first day of shooting collapsed when Williams, whose deal was unfinished, did not appear; the constructed sets were then burned. — Chris Ryan
  • Josh Charles and James Waterston are reported as later appearing together in The Good Wife. — Bill Simmons
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1:04:32

Casting What-Ifs

Dustin Hoffman, Mel Gibson, and Liam Neeson were earlier John Keating possibilities; River Phoenix wanted Neil, Sam R...

Dustin Hoffman, Mel Gibson, and Liam Neeson were earlier John Keating possibilities; River Phoenix wanted Neil, Sam Rockwell auditioned for Charlie, and Lara Flynn Boyle’s role was removed.

In the discussion (7)
Approx. transcript time · 01:04:32Read transcript
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1:22:20

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Keating’s other classes and soccer role, his London relationship and age, the caller in Charlie’s God stunt, Chet’s f...

Keating’s other classes and soccer role, his London relationship and age, the caller in Charlie’s God stunt, Chet’s fate, Knox and Chris’s relationship, and Keating’s next job

In the discussion (8)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:20Read transcript
  • The panel asks whether Keating taught other classes and why only this class heard about the society.
  • Keating’s presence in the soccer montage prompts questions about whether he coached the team and how it performed. — Bill Simmons
  • The woman in London may be a wife or girlfriend, but the film leaves the relationship unresolved. — Chris Ryan
  • Keating’s age is debated as roughly thirty-four versus forty, with World War II service used as speculation. — Chris Ryan
  • The group asks who placed the call that enabled Charlie’s phone-from-God stunt. — Mallory Rubin
  • Josh Charles’s later view that Knox and Chris probably had one date supports doubts that the relationship lasted.
  • Chet’s threatened response to Knox remains an open sequel question. — Bill Simmons
  • Keating’s lost reference and the failed school production make another teaching job uncertain. — Chris Ryan
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1:26:41

Picking Nits

Keating retrieving belongings during class, Mrs. Perry missing the gunshot, limited blood, dog-treat evidence, Knox f...

Keating retrieving belongings during class, Mrs. Perry missing the gunshot, limited blood, dog-treat evidence, Knox finding Chris, and the school controlling the suicide inquiry

In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:26:41Read transcript
  • Retrieving personal belongings during the only class he teaches makes the final confrontation seem avoidably staged.
  • Mrs. Perry somehow does not hear the gunshot in her own home. — Chris Ryan
  • The study shows much less blood than the panel expects, though restraint protects the ending’s tone. — Mallory Rubin
  • The large number of dog treats leaves crunchy residue and creates its own risk of discovery.
  • A student at Chris’s school instantly supplies a room number, though Chris is actually at her locker. — Mallory Rubin
  • The school appears to conduct the post-suicide investigation without visible outside authorities. — Chris Ryan
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