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Avg. Critic Score: 79 out of 100 Generally favorable reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
13 OK for kids 13+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 100
    Mr. Showbiz |

    One of Australian director Peter Weir's most sensitive films. Read full review

  • 100
    San Francisco Chronicle |

    Hurrah! Poetry and passion, comedy and tragedy are fused into one absolutely marvelous affirmation of independent spirit in Dead Poets Society. [2 June 1989, Daily Notebook, p.E1] Read full review

  • 90
    Washington Post | Desson Thomson

    Sure, the heroes and villains are arranged in a convenient moral gallery. But the performances, Weir's adroit direction and John Seale's superb cinematography take care of that banality. Read full review

  • 90
    Variety |

    Sings whenever Williams is onscreen. Read full review

  • 80
    Washington Post | Rita Kempley

    It's a literate though strained uplifter. Read full review

  • 80
    Los Angeles Times | Michael Wilmington

    Commands respect and affection. [2 June 1989, Calendar, p.6-1] Read full review

  • 75
    USA Today | Mike Clark

    Williams is impressively restrained as well as funny, so fans need not fret. It only means that instead of Good Morning, Preppies, we're given a bittersweet, even eerie Goodbye, Mr. Hip. [2 June 1989, Life, p.1D] Read full review

  • 75
    Chicago Tribune | Gene Siskel

    A refreshing if obvious drama. [9 June 1989, Friday, p.A] Read full review

  • 70
    Time | Richard Schickel

    Williams, who has comparatively little screen time, has come to act, not to cut comic riffs, and he does so with forceful, ultimately compelling, simplicity. [June 5, 1989] Read full review

  • 50
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    Not the worst of the countless recent movies about good kids and hidebound, authoritatian older people. It may, however, be the most shameless in its attempt to pander to an adolescent audience. Read full review

View more reviews for Dead Poets Society on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 13+ Inspiring, intense story of a teacher and his students.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this movie has very uplifting messages especially for teens about seizing the day and embracing poetry as a way toward thinking for yourself and positive self-expression. But it also deals with the suicide of one of the main characters (the gunshot isn't shown, but the parents are shown holding their son afterward, hysterical). Everyone smokes a lot (mostly a reflection of the time mixed with teen rebellion) and one main character drinks shots at a high school party.
  • Families can talk about poetry. Did this movie inspire you to read more, be more creative, or even "seize the day"?
  • What movies inspire you? Why? What about teachers?
  • Families can also talk about Neil, his oppressive father, and his irreversible decision. What help is out there for those contemplating the same actions? What are the warning signs that someone needs help?
The good stuff
  • message true4 Positive messages: Lots of nuggets of wisdom mostly spoken by Professor Keating: think for yourselves, savor words and language, "words and language can change the world," and that you should constantly look at things in a different way.
  • rolemodels true3 Positive role models: Almost goes without saying that kids pushed like crazy to succeed will rebel. The boys here smoke quite a bit and sneak out of the school repeatedly, but they sneak out to read poetry and bond. One boy lies to his seemingly heartless father so he can perform in a play. Professor Keating clearly cares a lot about his students. Authority figures in the school stoop to scapegoating one teacher and pitting students against him in order to keep order after a tragedy.
What to watch for
  • violence false3 Violence: One of the lead boys commits suicide off-screen via gun shot; parents are shown afterward hysterical as they hold him. One boy gets beat up, his nose bloodied. One character says of his beau,"if I don't have Chris I'm going to kill myself." One student gets paddled by headmaster as punishment.
  • sex false2 Sex: One of the teens shows a (somewhat obscured) Playboy centerfold, plus a few jokes about virginity, and teen couples kissing passionately at a party.
  • language false3 Language: Kids call Welton school "Hell-ton" frequently. "S--t" is said about a half dozen times, plus a smattering of "damn," "Goddamnit," and "Jesus."
  • consumerism false-1 Consumerism: Sunmaid Raisins make a cameo.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Period smoking -- lots of it. Both pipes and cigarettes smoked by adults and snuck by teens. A high school party includes plenty of drinking -- Knox does whiskey shots with new acquaintances.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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