Movies about inspirational teachers are common, but in the 1989 film Dead Poets Society, that teacher was Robin Williams. And it takes someone very different to make studying poetry in prep school inspirational. William's character John Keating ecourages his students to think (and act) outside of the box, which draws the ire of school administration. Dead Poets Society was both critically acclaimed and a box office hit. Maybe you'd like to learn more about the making of Dead Poets Society.
6. The director gave the actors materials from the time period so that they knew how to alter their mannerisms.
Try to recall that this film was based in the 1950’s when the term “teenager” was first being used on a wider scope. It helped to understand just how such adolescents would act back in this time.
5. The film was based partly on the writer’s own experience in prep school.
This could be why it seems fairly accurate and doesn’t stray too much from the true experience of being in a prep school.
See more trivia behind Dead Poets Society at TVOM.