The History Boys (film)

The History Boys (film). The 2006 film adaptation of Alan Bennett's acclaimed stage play, directed by Nicholas Hytner, follows a group of bright Sheffield schoolboys in the 1980s preparing for Oxbridge entrance exams. Retaining the original National Theatre cast, the film explores the conflict between utilitarian education and learning for its own sake against a backdrop of Thatcherism and adolescent discovery. It received widespread critical praise for its witty dialogue and ensemble performances, winning several awards including the BAFTA Award for Best British Film.

Plot

In 1983, eight academically gifted students at the fictional Cutlers' Grammar School have achieved top A-level results and now aim for places at Oxford University or Cambridge University. The headmaster, played by Clive Merrison, hires a young contract teacher, Irwin, to coach them in examination technique, clashing with the boys' beloved, eccentric general studies teacher Hector. Meanwhile, the boys navigate their own sexual awakenings, particularly Dakin who flirts with the headmaster's secretary, Fiona, and engages in a complex power dynamic with Irwin. The narrative builds towards the university interviews and a tragic event that forces the characters to confront the lasting impact of their formative experiences.

Cast

The ensemble features the original stage cast, led by Richard Griffiths as the inspirational but flawed teacher Hector. Clive Merrison portrays the pragmatic headmaster Felix, with Frances de la Tour as the weary yet insightful history teacher Mrs. Lintott. Stephen Campbell Moore plays the ambitious young tutor Irwin. The students are portrayed by Samuel Anderson as Crowther, Samuel Barnett as Posner, Dominic Cooper as Dakin, James Corden as Timms, Sacha Dhawan as Akthar, Andrew Knott as Lockwood, Russell Tovey as Rudge, and Jamie Parker as Scripps. Georgia Taylor appears as the secretary Fiona.

Production

The film was produced by BBC Films and DNA Films, with Kevin Loader, Nicholas Hytner, and Damian Jones serving as producers. Adapted by Alan Bennett from his own Tony Award-winning play, the project aimed to preserve the integrity of the original National Theatre production while opening it up for cinema. Director Nicholas Hytner shot on location in Yorkshire, including at Elland Road, the home of Leeds United A.F.C., and at a former grammar school in Watford. Composer George Fenton provided the score, while the soundtrack features period songs by artists like The Smiths and Tears for Fears.

Release

20th Century Fox distributed the film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2006. It received a general release in the United Kingdom on 13 October 2006 and in the United States on 21 November 2006. The film was later released on DVD and Blu-ray formats by Fox Searchlight Pictures, with special features including commentary from Nicholas Hytner and Alan Bennett.

Reception

The film was met with strong critical acclaim, holding a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers from The Guardian and The New York Times praised its intelligent script and powerful performances, particularly that of Richard Griffiths. It won the BAFTA Award for Best British Film and received nominations for the BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Richard Griffiths. The film also earned a Goya Award for Best European Film nomination and performed modestly at the box office, grossing approximately $12.8 million worldwide.

Themes and analysis

The film delves into competing philosophies of education, contrasting Hector's belief in knowledge for its own sake with Irwin's pragmatic focus on examination success and the headmaster's obsession with league tables, reflecting the era of Thatcherism. Themes of sexuality, mentorship, and the abuse of power are explored through the relationships between the teachers and students, particularly Hector's inappropriate groping and Dakin's manipulation of Irwin. The work also interrogates the nature of history itself, questioning how narratives are constructed, a theme embodied in Irwin's teaching methods. The setting during the Falklands War serves as a political backdrop, commenting on national identity and the uses of the past.