[ Puffing, Coughs ]
- [ Boys Laughing ] - [ Charlie ] That a boy, Pittsie.
- Inhale, deeply. - [ Meeks ] My dad collects pipes.
- [ Pitts ] Really ? - [ Meeks ] He must have 30.
Your parents collect pipes ? Oh, that's interesting. [ Laughing ]
- Come on, Knox. Join in. - Yeah, Knox, we're from the government.
We're here to help. What's wrong ?
- [ Boys Taunting ] It's Chris ! - Here's a picture of Chris for you !
- Put that in your pipe and smoke it. - It's not funny.
Knock it off. Smoke your pipes.
- [ Meeks ] Neil. - Friends, scholars, Welton men.
What is that, Neil ?
- Duh, it's a lamp, Meeks. - No, this is the god of the cave.
- The god of the cave. - [ Saxophone ]
[ Blaring ]
- Charlie, what are you doing ? - What do you say we start this meeting?
- I need a light. Who's got a light ? - Anybody bring earplugs ?
[ Clears Throat ] Gentlemen.
- "Poetrusic" by Charles Dalton. - [ Boys Murmuring ]
- [ Wild, Random Notes ] - [ Groaning ] Oh, man.
Laughing, crying, tumbling, mumbling.
Gotta do more, gotta be more.
[ Wild, Random Notes ]
- [ Groans ] - [ Boy Laughs ] Pitts.
Chaos screaming, chaos dreaming. Gotta do more, gotta be more !
[ Slow, Sweet Melody ]
[ Sweet Melody Continues ]
- Wow. Nice. - That was great.
Where did you learn to play like that ?
My parents made me take the clarinet for years !
- I love the clarinet. - I hated it.
[ Boys Laughing ]
The saxophone. The saxophone is more... sonorous.
Ooh, more sonorous. Vocabulary.
[ Throws Pipe Down ] I can't take it anymore. If I don't have Chris,
- I'm gonna kill myself. - [ Charlie ] Knoxious, calm down.
No, Charlie ! That's just my problem.
I've been calm all my life. I'm gonna do something about that.
Where are you going ? What are you gonna do ?
I'm gonna call her. [ Dastardly Chuckling ]
- He's gonna call her ! - Wait for me ! - [ Wildly ]
[ Line Ringing ]
[ Chris ] Hello ?
- [ Coins Drop ] - She's gonna hate me.
The Danburrys will hate me.
My parents will kill me.
[ Softly ] All right, goddamn it.
You're right. Carpe diem.
[ Deposits Coins, Dials ] Even if it kills me.
[ All Chuckling ]
[ Line Ringing ]
- [ Chris ] Hello ? - Hello, Chris ?
- Yes. - Hi. This is Knox Overstreet.
- [ Boys Chuckling ] - Oh, yes. Knox.
- I'm glad you called. - [ Whispers ] She's glad I called.
[ Chris ] Listen, Chet's parents are going out of town this weekend,
and he's having a party.
- Would you like to come ? - Would I like to come to a party ?
- Yes. Say yes. - It's Friday. - Well, sure.
- [ Chris ] About 7:00. - [ Knox ] Great. I'll be there, Chris.
- Okay. - Friday night at the Danburrys'. Okay.
- Okay. Bye. - Thank you. I'll see you. Bye.
- [ Coins Drop ] - Yawp !
[ Chuckling ]
Can you believe it ?
She was gonna call me.
She invited me to a party with her.
- At Chet Danburry's house. - Yeah.
- Well ? - So ?
So you don't really think she means you're going with her ?
Well, of course not, Charlie. But that's not the point.
- That's not the point at all. - What is the point ?
- The point, Charlie... - Uh-huh ?
- is... - Yeah ?
that she was thinking about me.
I've only met her once, and already...
she's thinking about me.
- Damn it, it's gonna happen, guys. - [ Others Chuckling ]
I feel it.
She is going to be mine.
- [ Laughs ] - [ Humming ]
- Carpe ! Carpe ! - [ Continues Humming ]
No grades at stake, gentlemen. Just take a stroll.
- There it is. - [ Boys Clapping ln Time To Steps ]
- I don't know, but I've been told. - I don't know, but I've been told.
[ Keating ] Doing poetry is cold.
- [ Boys ] Doing poetry is cold. - Left. Left. Left, right, left.
Left. Left. Left, right, left.
Left. Halt !
Thank you, gentlemen.
If you noticed, everyone started off with their own stride, their own pace.
Mr. Pitts taking his time. He knew he'll get there one day.
Mr. Cameron. You could see him thinking, "Is this right ? It might be right.
It might be right. I know that-- Maybe not. I don't know."
Mr. Overstreet, driven by a deeper force. Yes.
We know that. All right. Now, I didn't bring them up here to ridicule them.
I brought them up here to illustrate the point of conformity.
The difficulty in maintaining your own beliefs in the face of others.
Now, I see the look in your eyes like, "I would have walked differently."
Well, ask yourselves why you were clapping.
Now we all have a great need for acceptance.
But you must trust that your beliefs are unique, your own.
Even though others may think them odd or unpopular.
Even though the herd may go, "That's ba-a-a-a-ad."
- [ Boys Laughing ] - [ Keating ] Robert Frost said,
"Two roads diverged in the wood and l, I took the one less traveled by.
And that has made all the difference."
I want you to find your own walk right now,
your own way of striding, pacing any direction.
Anything you want, whether it's proud, whether it's silly, anything.
- Gentlemen, the courtyard is yours. - [ Boys Murmuring, Chuckling ]
You don't have to perform, just make it for yourself.
Mr. Dalton, will you be joining us ?
Exercising the right not to walk.
Thank you, Mr. Dalton. Just illustrated the point.
- Swim against the stream. - [ Boys Chattering ]
Todd ?
- Hey. - Hey.
- What's going on ? - Nothing.
- Today's my birthday. - Is today your birthday ?
- Happy birthday. - Thanks.
- What did you get ? - My parents just gave me this.
Isn't this the same desk set--
Yeah, yeah, they gave me the same thing as last year.
- Oh. - Oh.
Maybe they thought you needed another one. [ Laughs ]
[ Laughs ] Maybe they weren't thinking about anything at all.
The funny thing is, about this, is I didn't even like it the first time.
- [ Laughs ] - [ Laughs ]
Todd, I think you're underestimating the value of this desk set.
I mean, who would want a football or a baseball--
- Or a car. - Mm-hmm, or a car--
if they could have a desk set as wonderful as this one.
I mean, if I were ever going to buy a desk set... twice,
I would probably buy this one... both times.
[ Laughing ]
In fact, its... shape is--
It's rather aerodynamic, isn't it ?
You can feel it.
[ Exhales ] This desk set wants to fly.
Todd...
the world's first unmanned flying desk set.
[ Yells ]
[ Both Laughing, Desk Supplies Clattering ]
Oh, my ! Well, I wouldn't worry.
- You'll get another one next year. - [ Laughing ]
[ Boys ] "To live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.
-To put to rout all that was not life--" - [ Girls Laughing ]
- [ Laughing Continues ] - My God.
- [ Girl ] ls this it ? - [ Charlie ] Yeah, this is it.
Go ahead. Go on in. It's my cave. Watch your step.
[ Girls Giggling ] Uh-oh.
[ Giggling ] Hi.
- [ Meeks ] Hello. - [ Girl ] Hi.
Hi, guys. Meet, uh, Gloria and-- [ Snaps Fingers ]
- Tina. - Tina.
- This is the pledge class of the Dead Poets Society. - [ Boys ] Hello.
- How do you do ? - Hello. - Hi.
Guys, move. Move ! Come on, folks, it's Friday night.
Let's get on with the meeting. Guys, I have an announcement to make.
In keeping with the spirit of passionate experimentation of the Dead Poets,
I'm giving up the name Charles Dalton.
From now on, call me Nuwanda.
[ Boys Laughing ] Nuwanda ?
[ Giggling ]
[ Boys Chuckling, Chattering ]
[ Indian War Whooping ]
Hello ? Hello, Chris ?
I crashed in the jungle while trying to keep a date
With my little girl who was back in the States
- I was stranded in the jungle-- - [ Chris ] Knox !
- Hi. - You made it ! Great.
- Did you bring anybody ? - No.
No ? Ginny Danburry's here. Look, I have to go find Chet.
- Why don't you go downstairs ? That's where everybody is. - Yeah, but Chris, I've--
- Make yourself at home. - But I've--
Baby, baby let's make romance
You know your old-time lover hasn't got a chance
- [ Continues ] - Hi, guys.
[ Pouring Beer ]
Hey, you Mutt Sanders' brother ?
Bubba, this guy look like Mutt Sanders to you, or what ?
- You're his brother ? - [ Chuckles ] No relation.
- Never heard of him. Sorry, guys. - Where's our manners, Steve ?
Here's Mutt Sanders' brother and we don't even offer him a drink.
- Here you go. Have some whiskey, pal. - Yeah.
I, uh, I don't really drink whiskey.
- To Mutt. - To Mutt.
- [ Sighs ]
- How the hell is old Mutt anyway ? - Yeah, what's old Mutter been up to ?
[ Coughing ] I don't really know Mutt.
[ Sighs ] To the Mighty Mutt.
- To Mighty Mutt. - To Mighty Mutt.
[ Sighs, Shudders ] Listen, I gotta go find Patsy.
- Say hello to Mutt for me, okay ? - Will do.
- Hell of a guy, your brother Mutt. - [ Sighs ]
We gonna have a meeting, or what ?
Yeah, if you guys don't have a meeting,
how do we know if we want to join ?
"Join" ?
"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day ?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate."
That's so sweet.
- I made that up just for you. - You did ?
I'll write one for you too, Gloria.
[ Sighs ]
"She walks in beauty like the night.
"She walks in beauty like the night...
"of cloudless climes and starry skies.
"All that's best, dark and bright,
- meet in her aspect and her eyes." - That's beautiful.
There's plenty more where that came from.
[ Crowd Chattering ]
[ Belches ]
[ Growling ]
She sure looks fine to me What's her name
Look out Let me call her one time
[ Continues ]
[ Both Moaning ]
Hey, little girl
Gee, you sure look fine
[ Continues ]
God, help me.
Ooh, baby you're not mine
Hey, little girl How's about a date
- [ Whispers ] Carpe diem. - Hey, little girl
How's about a date
You know I'll come get you early, baby
Won't keep you out too late
Say, little girl
Now how's about a kiss
Yeah, say, little girl
How's about a kiss
- You don't remember ? - Well, if you don't kiss me, baby
- [ Bubba ] Chet. Chet. Look. - [ Chet ] What ?
- It's Mutt Sanders' brother. - [ Chet ] Huh ?
- Knox, what-- - And he's feeling up your girl !
[ Chris ] What are you doing ?
- [ Chet ] What the hell are you doing ? - [ Chris ] Chet. Chet, don't !
- Now, Chet, I know this looks bad-- - Leave him alone.
Chet, no ! You'll hurt him !
- Chet, stop it ! Leave him alone ! - Damn !
- Chet, stop it ! - Bastard !
- [ Groaning ] - Knox, are you all right ?
[ Chet ] Chris, get the hell away from him !
- Chet, you hurt him ! - Good !
- I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. - It's okay. It's-lt's okay.
Next time I see you, you die.
[ Guests Chattering ]
Go ahead. Pass it around.
Me and Pitts are working on a hi-fi system.
It shouldn't be that hard to, uh, to put together.
Yeah. Uh, I might be going to Yale.
Uh, but l-l might not.
Don't you guys miss having girls around here ?
- [ Chuckles ] Yeah. - [ Chuckles ] Yeah.
[ Charlie ] That's part of what this club is about.
In fact, I'd like to announce...
I published an article in the school paper in the name of the Dead Poets,
- What ? - demanding girls be admitted to Welton...
- You didn't. - so we can all stop beating off.
- How did you do that ? - [ Charlie ] I'm one of the proofers.
- I slipped the article in. - It's-lt's over now.
Why ? Nobody knows who we are.
Well, don't you think they're gonna figure out who wrote it ?
They're gonna come to you and ask to know what the Dead Poets Society is.
Charlie, you had no right to do something like that.
It's Nuwanda, Cameron.
[ Gloria ] That's right. It's Nuwanda.
Are we just playing around out here, or do we mean what we say ?
If all we do is come together and read a bunch of poems to each other,
- what the hell are we doing ? - [ Neil ] All right.
But you still shouldn't have done it, Charlie.
This could mean trouble. You don't speak for the club.
Hey, would you not worry about your precious little neck ?
If they catch me, I'll tell them I made it up.
- [ Whispering ] - Fine.
Sit.
In this week's issue of Welton Honor,
there appeared a profane and unauthorized article.
Rather than spend my valuable time ferreting out the guilty persons--
And let me assure you I will find them--
I'm asking any and all students who know anything about this article...
to make themselves known here and now.
Whoever the guilty persons are,
this is your only chance to avoid expulsion from this school.
[ Phone Ringing, Teachers Murmuring ]
Welton Academy. Hello.
Yes, he is. Just a moment.
Mr. Nolan, it's for you.
It's God !
He says we should have girls at Welton.
[ Boys Laughing ]
Wipe that smirk off your face.
If you think, Mr. Dalton,
that you're the first to try to get thrown out of this school, think again.
Others have had similar notions and have failed just as surely as you will fail.
- Assume the position. - [ Sighs ]
Count aloud, Mr. Dalton.
[ Paddle Strikes ]
One.
[ Strikes Dalton ]
Two.
[ Strikes Dalton ]
Three.
- [ Strikes Dalton ] - Four. [ Stifles Groan ]
- [ Paddle Strikes ] - Five.
What is this Dead Poets Society ? I want names.
[ Low Murmuring ]
- [ Neil ] You kicked out ? - No.
- [ Neil ] So what happened ? - [ Sighs ]
I'm to turn everybody in, apologize to the school,
and all will be forgiven.
So what are you gonna do ?
- Charlie-- - Damn it, Neil,
the name is Nuwanda.
[ Door Closes ]
[ Both Chuckling ]
Excuse me. May we have a word, Mr. Keating ?
Certainly.
This was my first classroom, John. Did you know that ?
My first desk.
I didn't know you taught, Mr. Nolan.
English. Long before your time.
It was hard giving it up, I can tell you.
I'm hearing rumors about some unorthodox teaching methods in your classroom.
I'm not saying they've had anything to do with the Dalton boy's outburst,
but I don't think I have to warn you boys his age are very impressionable.
Well, your reprimand made quite an impression, I'm sure.
- What was going on in the courtyard the other day ? - Courtyard ?
- Boys marching, clapping in unison. - Oh, that.
That was an exercise to prove a point: dangers of conformity.
Well, John, the curriculum here is set. It's proven. It works.
If you question it, what's to prevent them from doing the same ?
I always thought the idea of education was to learn to think for yourself.
At these boys' age ? Not on your life !
Tradition, John. Discipline.
Prepare them for college, and the rest will take care of itself.
[ Footsteps Departing ]
- Creak. [ Hits Bongo Drum ] - [ Chuckling ]
He starts walking around towards my left.
Creak. Creak. [ Hitting Bongo Drum ]
"Assume the position, Mr. Dalton," which means--
[ Keating ] All right, gentlemen.
- Mr. Keating. - Mr. Dalton.
That was a pretty lame stunt you pulled today.
You're siding with Mr. Nolan ?
What about carpe diem and sucking all the marrow...
- out of life and all that ? - Sucking the marrow out of life...
doesn't mean choking on the bone.
There is a time for daring, and there is a time for caution.
And a wise man understands which is called for.
But I thought you'd like that.
No.
You being expelled from school is not daring to me. It's stupid.
'Cause you'll miss some golden opportunities.
Yeah ? Like what ?
Like, if nothing else, the opportunity to attend my classes.
Got it, ace ?
Aye, aye, Captain.
Keep your head about you.
That goes for the lot of you.
- Yes, Captain. - Yes, Captain.
Phone call from God.
If it'd been collect, it would have been daring.
[ Door Closes ]
- [ Neil ] All right. Go on, boy. - No.
[ Bell Tolling ]
- [ Director ] We're trying to rehearse, okay ? Go. - [ Flute ]
[ Actor ] A good persuasion, therefore hear me, Hermia.
Wait, wait. The excitement. I don't hear any excitement about this play.
Now take her hand, bring her downstage...
and stop and "Fair, gentle Hermia."
Okay ? Try again.
- [ Bell Ringing ] - [ Pitts ] What's for dinner ?
- Spaghetti and meatballs ! - Food !
[ Boys Chattering ]
Save some for me.
"But, room, fairy ! Here comes Oberon."
- Father. - Neil.
Wait a minute. Before you say anything,
- please let me ex-- - Don't you dare talk back to me.
It's bad enough that you've wasted your time...
with this, this absurd acting business,
but you deliberately deceived me.
How-How-How did you expect to get away with this ?
Answer me.
Who put you up to it ?
- Was it this new man ? Keating ? - No.
Nobody p-- I thought I'd surprise you. I've gotten all A's in every class.
Did you really think I wasn't going to find out ?
"Oh, my niece is in a play with your son," says Mrs. Marks.
"No, no, no," I say. "You must be mistaken. My son's not in a play."
You made a liar out of me, Neil !
Now, tomorrow, you go to them and you tell them that you're quitting.
No, I can't.
I have the main part. The performance is tomorrow night !
I don't care if the world comes to an end tomorrow night,
you are through with that play !
Is that clear ?
[ Louder ] ls that clear ?
Yes, sir.
I made a great many sacrifices to get you here, Neil,
and you will not let me down.
No, sir.
- [ Knocking ] - It's open.
[ Closes Door ]
Neil, what's up ?
- Can I speak to you a minute ? - Certainly. Sit down.
Oh.
- I'm sorry. Here. - Excuse me.
- Get you some tea ? - Tea ? Sure.
- Want some milk or sugar in that ? - No, thanks.
Gosh, they don't give you much room around here.
It's part of the monastic oath.
They don't want worldly things distracting me from my teaching.
- She's pretty. - She's also in London.
- [ Laughs ] - Makes it a little difficult.
- How do you stand it ? - Stand what ?
You can go anywhere. You can do anything. How can you stand being here ?
Because I love teaching. I don't want to be anywhere else.
- What's up ? - I just talked to my father.
He's making me quit the play at Henley Hall.
But acting is everything to me.
I mean-- But he doesn't know. He--
I can see his point. We're not a rich family like Charlie's. I mean--
But he's planning the rest of my life for me.
And he-he's never asked me what I want.
Have you ever told your father what you just told me ?
About your passion for acting ? Have you showed him that ?
- I can't. - Why not ?
I can't talk to him this way.
Then you're acting for him too.
You're playing the part of the dutiful son.
I know this sounds impossible, but you have to talk to him.
You have to show him who you are, what your heart is.
I know what he'll say.
He'll tell me that acting's a whim and I should forget it.
[ Sniffling ] They're counting on me.
He'll just tell me to put it out of my mind for my own good.
You are not an indentured servant.
It's not a whim for you. You prove it to him by your conviction and your passion.
You show him that, and if he still doesn't believe you--
Well, by then, you'll be out of school, and you can do anything you want.
No. [ Sniffling ]
What about the play ? The show's tomorrow night.
Then you have to talk to him before tomorrow night.
I-- [ Sighs ]
- Isn't there an easier way ? - No.
[ Chuckles ] I'm trapped.
No, you're not.
[ All Chattering ]
[ Chattering Continues ]
Chris !
Chris ! Chris Noel. Do you know where she is ?
- Um, I think she's in Room 111. - Thanks.
I know.
Excuse me. Chris--
Knox, what are you doing here ?
I came to apologize for the other night.
I brought you these and a poem I wrote for you.
Knox, don't you know that if Chet finds you here, he'll kill you ?
- I don't care. I love you, Chris. - Knox, you're crazy.
Look, I acted like a jerk, and I know it.
- Please accept these. Please. - No. No, l-l can't.
Just forget it.
[ Bell Rings ]
[ Door Opens, Closes ]
[ All Chattering ]
- Knox, I don't believe this. - All I'm asking you to do is listen.
[ Knox Reading ] "The heavens made a girl named Chris...
"with hair and skin of gold.
- [ Chattering Stops ] - [ Knox ] "To touch her...
- [ Boy Snickers ] - [ Sighs ] - would be paradise."
- [ Bell Ringing ] - [ Boys Chattering ]
[ Belch ]
[ Charlie ] Get out of here. Cameron, you fool.
Hey, how'd it go ? Did you read it to her ?
- Yeah. - [ Laughing ] Wow. What'd she say ?
- Nothing. - What do you mean, nothing ?
Nothing. But I did it.
[ Charlie ] Well, what did she say ? She had to say something !
- [ Pitts ] Hey, Knox ! - [ Knox Whooping ] Seize the day !
- Did you talk to your father ? - Uh, yeah.
He didn't like it one bit, but at least he's letting me stay in the play.
He won't be able to m-make it. He's in Chicago.
But, uh, I think he's gonna let me stay with acting.
Really ? You told him what you told me ?
Yeah. [ Chuckles ]
He wasn't happy.
But he'll be gone at least four days.
I don't think he'll make the show, but...
I think he'll let me stay with it.
"Keep up the schoolwork." [ Chuckles ]
Thanks. [ Gathers Books, Exits ]
- Oh, baby. - Beautiful baby.
- I am-- - Excuse me.
- Just a moment. Yes. You're so good. - [ Laughing ]
Come on, Todd. I'm trying to fix this.
Come on, Nuwanda, we're going to miss Neil's entrance.
He said something about getting red before we left.
- "Getting red" ? What does that mean ? - I-- You know Charlie.
[ Meeks ] So, Charlie, what's this "getting red" bit ?
- Ooh. [ Laughs ] - Ooh. [ Laughs ]
[ Laughing ] W-What is that ?
It's an lndian warrior symbol for virility.
Makes me feel potent, like I can drive girls crazy.
[ Knox ] Oh, come on, Charlie. The girls are waiting.
[ Boys Chattering, Whistling ]
Whoa.
[ Whistling ]
[ Wolf Whistle ]
Chris.
What are you doing here ?
- [ Keating ] Gentlemen, let's go ! - Go ahead, guys. I'll catch up.
Yeah. Come on, guys.
[ Knox ] Chris, you can't be in here.
- If they catch you, we're both gonna be in big trouble. - Come on.
- Oh, but it's fine if-- - Shh, shh. Chris.
It's fine for you to come barging into my school and make a fool out of me ?
I didn't mean to make a fool out of you.
Well, you did. Chet found out.
It took everything I could do to keep him from coming here and killing you.
- Knox, you have got to stop this stuff. - I can't, Chris. I love you.
Knox, you say that over and over.
You don't-- You don't even know me.
[ Keating ] Will you be joining us, Mr. Overstreet ?
- [ Knox ] Go ahead, Captain. I'll walk. - [ Starts Engine ]
Knox. Knox, i-it just so happens...
that I could care less about you.
Then you wouldn't be here warning me about Chet.
I have to go. I'm gonna be late for the play.
- Are you going with him ? - [ Laughs ] Chet ? To a play ?
- Are you kidding ? - Then come with me.
Knox, you are so infuriating !
Come on, Chris, just give me one chance.
If you don't like me after tonight, I'll stay away forever.
- Uh-huh. - I promise. Dead Poets honor.
You come with me tonight,
and then if you don't want to see me again, I swear I'll bow out.
- What would happen if Chet found out? - He won't know anything.
We'll sit in the back and sneak away as soon as it's over.
And I suppose you would promise that this would be the end of it ?
- Dead Poets honor. - What is that ?
- My word. - Hmm.
You are so infuriating.
[ Laughing ]
[ Whispering ] Hey, there he is ! Hey, hey, hey, hey !
[ Keating ] Shh, boys.
Either I mistake your shape and making quite...
or else you are that shrewd and knavish sprite called Robin Goodfellow !
Thou speak'st aright.
I am that merry wanderer of the night.
I jest to Oberon and make him smile...
when I a fat and bean-fed horse beguile. [ Snorts ]
[ Whinnies ] Neighing in the likeness of a filly foal.
Sometime lurk I in a gossip's bowl...
in very likeness of a roasted crab.
And when she drink, against her lips I bob...
and on her withered dewlap pour the ale.
- The wisest aunt telling the saddest tale. - He's good. He's really good.
Sometime for three-foot stool mistaketh me.
Then slip I from her bum, down topples she and "Tailor" cries...
and falls into a cough.
And then the whole quire hold their hips and laugh...
and waxen in their mirth nee-e-e-eze...
- [ All Laughing ] - and swear.
A merrier hour was never wasted there.
But, room, fairy.
- Here comes Oberon. - And here, my mistress. Would that he were gone.
[ Lysander ] Then by your side, no bed-room me deny.
For lying so, Hermia, I do not lie.
[ Hermia ] Lysander riddles very prettily. Much beshrew my manners...
and my pride if Hermia meant to say Lysander lied.
But, gentle friend, for love and courtesy...
Iie further off; in human modesty,
such separation as may well be said becomes a virtuous bachelor and maid.
Good night, sweet friend. Thy love ne'er alter 'til thy sweet life end.
[ Lysander ] Amen. Amen to that fair prayer, say l.
- And then end life when I end loyalty. - [ Girl ] Neil. That's your cue, Neil.
Come on, Neil. Here's your crown. Let's go.
If we shadows have offended...
think but this and all is mended.
That you have but slumber'd here while these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme, no more yielding but a dream.
Gentles, do not reprehend.
If you pardon, we will mend.
And as I am an honest Puck, if we have unearned luck,
now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
we will make amends ere long; else the Puck a liar call.
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands if we be friends,
and Robin shall restore amends.
- [ Audience Applauding ] - [ Chattering ]
[ Applause Continues ]
[ Audience Whistling, Cheering ]
[ Audience Continues Cheering ]
[ Audience Cheering, Whistling, Louder ]
[ Welton Boys ] Yawp ! Carpe diem !
[ Sighs, Laughs ]
[ Yelling ]
[ Actors Chattering ]
[ Whooping ]
- [ Crowd Chattering ] - [ Girl ] That was great !
Excuse me. I'm Neil's father. I'd like to see him, please.
[ All Chattering ]
- Neil, your father. - [ Chattering Continues ]
- [ Boy ] What did you think ? - You were all just wonderful !
[ Crowd Chattering, Laughing ]
[ Chattering, Laughing Continues ]
- [ Crowd Chattering ] - [ Mr. Perry ] Excuse me, please.
- Excuse me. Excuse me. - [ Boys ] Neil ! Back here ! Neil !
Neil, Neil, you were great ! Come back, Neil.
- I can't, guys. - Neil.
[ Mr. Perry ] Excuse me.
Neil. Neil. You have the gift.
What a performance. You left even me speechless.
- You have to stay with-- - Get in the car.
Keating, you stay away from my son.
Neil ! Neil ! Mr. Perry, come on !
[ Keating ] Don't make it any worse than it is.
[ Woman Chattering ] Do you want to take the other car ?
[ Chattering Continues ]
[ Car Departs ]
[ Chattering Continues ]
Is it okay if we walk back ?
Captain ?
- [ Charlie ] Knox ? - What ?
We'll be home about 11:30.
[ Door Opens, Closes ]
[ Clears Throat ] We're trying very hard...
to understand why it is that you insist on defying us.
But whatever the reason, we're not gonna let you ruin your life.
I'm withdrawing you from Welton and enrolling you in Braden Military School.
You're going to Harvard, and you're gonna be a doctor.
But that's ten more years.
- Father, that's a lifetime ! - Oh, stop it !
Don't be so dramatic. You make it sound like a prison term.
You don't understand, Neil.
You have opportunities that I never even dreamt of !
- I am not going to let you waste them ! - I've got to tell you what I feel.
- We've been so worried about-- - What ? What ? Tell me what you feel !
What is it ?
Is it more of this-this acting business ?
Because you can forget that.
What ?
Nothing.
[ Sighs ] Nothing ?
Well, then, let's go to bed.
[ Softly ] I was good. I was really good.
Go on, get some sleep.
- [ Mrs. Perry Sobbing ] - It's going to be all right.
[ Gasping ] What was that ?
[ Mrs. Perry ] What ?
- That sound. - What sound ?
Tom ?
What is it ?
What's wrong ?
Neil ?
Tom, what is it ?
What's wrong ?
Neil ?
- Neil ? - [ Mrs. Perry ] I'll look outside.
Neil ?
[ Sniffs ]
No !
- Oh, Neil ! Oh, my God ! - Oh, my God. Oh, no, no.
- Oh, my son ! My son ! My poor son ! - He's all right.
- [ Repeating, Hysterically ] He's all right ! - Stop it. Stop it. Stop it.
- Stop it ! Stop it. - [ Sobbing ]
Todd. Todd.
Oh, Charlie.
What is it ?
[ Softly ] Neil's dead.
It's so beautiful.
- [ Todd Vomiting ] - Todd !
- It's okay, Todd. - [ Pitts ] Calm down.
- It's all right, Todd. - [ Sobbing ]
- Todd, it's okay. - It's okay, Todd.
- [ Continues Sobbing ] - It's all right. It's all right.
- [ Crying ] He wouldn't have done it. - You can't explain it, Todd.
- [ Todd ] It was his father ! - No !
He wouldn't have left us. It's because he--
He wouldn't have. [ Sobbing ]
- His dad was-- - Todd.
His-His father did it. His father killed him.
[ Blubbering ] He made him do it.
- [ Continues Sobbing ] - Todd !
Leave him be.
[ Screams ]
[ Crying ]
[ Inhales, Sighs ]
[ Boys Singing ] ...All my life
Shall surely
Follow me
And in God's house
Forevermore
My dwelling place
Shall be
Amen
[ Nolan ] The death of Neil Perry is a tragedy.
He was a fine student,
one of Welton's best.
And he will be missed.
We've contacted each of your parents to explain the situation.
Naturally, they're all quite concerned.
At the request of Neil's family,
I intend to conduct a thorough inquiry into this matter.
Your complete cooperation is expected.
[ Opens, Flicks, Closes Lighter ]
- You told him about this meeting ? - Twice.
That's it, guys. We're all fried.
- [ Pitts ] How do you mean ? - Cameron's a fink.
- He's in Nolan's office now, finking. - About what ?
The club, Pittsie. Think about it.
The board of directors, the trustees and Mr. Nolan.
Do you think for one moment they're gonna let this thing just blow over ?
Schools go down because of things like this. They need a scapegoat.
[ Door Opening ]
[ Door Creaks Closed, Footsteps Approaching ]
[ Footsteps Continue ]
What's going on, guys ?
You finked, didn't you, Cameron ?
"Finked" ? I don't know what the hell you're talking about.
You told Nolan everything about the club is what I'm talking about.
Look, in case you hadn't heard, Dalton, there's something...
called an honor code at this school, all right ?
If a teacher asks you a question, you tell the truth or you're expelled.
- You-- - Charlie !
He's a rat ! He's in it up to his eyes, so he ratted to save himself !
- [ Knox ] Don't touch him, Charlie. You do and you're out. - I'm out anyway !
- You don't know that. Not yet ! - He's right there, Charlie.
And if you guys are smart, you will do exactly what I did and cooperate.
They're not after us. We're the victims.
Us and Neil.
What's that mean ? Who are they after ?
Why, Mr. Keating, of course. The "Captain" himself !
You guys didn't really think he could avoid responsibility, did you ?
Mr. Keating responsible for Neil ? ls that what they're saying ?
Well, who else do you think, dumb ass ? The administration ? Mr. Perry ?
Mr. Keating put us up to all this crap, didn't he ?
If it wasn't for Mr. Keating, Neil would be...
cozied up in his room right now, studying his chemistry...
- and dreaming of being called "Doctor"! - That is not true, Cameron !
You know that ! He didn't put us up to anything.
- [ Panting ] Neil loved acting. - Believe what you want,
but I say let Keating fry.
I mean, why ruin our lives ?
- [ Cameron Grunts ] - [ Knox Muttering ]
[ Panting ]
You just signed your expulsion papers, Nuwanda.
And if the rest of you are smart, you'll do exactly what I did !
They know everything anyway.
[ Panting ] You can't save Keating,
but you can save yourselves.
[ Footsteps Departing ]
[ Door Opens, Closes ]
[ Hager ] Knox Overstreet.
- Meeks. - Go away. I have to study.
What happened to Nuwanda ?
Expelled.
What'd you tell 'em ?
Nothing they didn't already know.
[ Hager ] Todd Anderson.
- Hello, son. - Hello, darling.
[ Softly ] Mom.
Have a seat, Mr. Anderson.
Mr. Anderson, I think we've pretty well put together what's happened here.
You do admit to being a part of this Dead Poets Society ?
Answer him, Todd.
[ Softly ] Yes, sir.
I have here a detailed description...
of what occurred at your meetings.
It describes how your teacher, Mr. Keating,
encouraged you boys to organize this club...
and to use it as a source of inspiration...
for reckless and self-indulgent behavior.
It describes how Mr. Keating, both in and out of the classroom,
encouraged Neil Perry to follow his obsession with acting...
when he knew all along it was against the explicit orders...
of Neil's parents.
It was Mr. Keating's blatant abuse of his position as teacher...
that led directly to Neil Perry's death.
Read that document carefully, Todd.
Very carefully.
If you've nothing to add or amend, sign it.
What's gonna happen to Mr. Keating ?
[ Mr. Anderson Sighs ] I've had enough. Sign the paper, Todd !
[ McAllister ] Grass is gramen or herba.
Lapis is stone.
The entire building is aedificium.
[ Chuckles Softly ]
[ Door Opens, Closes ]
Sit.
I'll be teaching this class through exams.
We'll find a permanent English teacher during the break.
Who will tell me where you are in the Pritchard textbook ?
Mr. Anderson ?
- Uh, in the, in the Prit-- - I can't hear you, Mr. Anderson.
[ Stammering ] ln the, in the, in the Pritchard--
Kindly inform me, Mr. Cameron.
We skipped around a lot, sir.
We covered the romantics and some of the chapters on post-Civil War literature.
- What about the realists ? - We skipped most of that, sir.
All right, then, we'll start over.
What is poetry ?
- [ Knocking ] - Come !
Excuse me. [ Closes Door ]
I came for my personals.
Should I come back after class ?
Get them now, Mr. Keating.
Gentlemen, turn to page 21 of the introduction.
Mr. Cameron,
read aloud the excellent essay by Dr. Pritchard...
on "Understanding Poetry."
That page has been ripped out, sir.
Well, borrow somebody else's book.
They're all ripped out, sir.
[ Nolan Chuckling ] What do you mean, "They're all ripped out" ?
- Sir, we-- Ac-- - [ Nolan ] Never mind.
[ Slaps Book ] Read.
[ Cameron ] "'Understanding Poetry' by Dr. J. Evans Pritchard, Ph.D.
"To fully understand poetry, we must first be fluent...
"with its meter, rhyme and figures of speech.
"Then ask two questions. One:
"How artfully has the objective of the poem been rendered ?
"And, two:
"How important is that objective ?
"Question one rates the poem's perfection.
"Question two rates its importance.
"And once these questions have been answered,
"determining a poem's greatness becomes a relatively simple matter.
If the poem's score for perfection is plotted on the horizontal of a graph--"
- Mr. Keating ! They made everybody sign it. - Quiet, Mr. Anderson !
- You've got to believe me. It's true. - I do believe you, Todd.
- Leave, Mr. Keating. - But it wasn't his fault !
Sit down, Mr. Anderson ! One more outburst from you or anyone else,
and you're out of this school !
Leave, Mr. Keating.
I said, "Leave, Mr. Keating."
- Oh, Captain, my Captain. - [ Nolan ] Sit down, Mr. Anderson.
Do you hear me ? Sit down !
This is your final warning, Anderson.
How dare you. Do you hear me ?
Oh, Captain, my Captain.
Mr. Overstreet, I warn you !
Sit down !
Sit down ! All of you ! I want you seated !
Sit down ! Leave, Mr. Keating.
All of you, down ! I want you seated !
Do you hear me ?
Sit down !
Thank you, boys.
Thank you.
[ Bagpipes ]
[ Continues ]