Films about English boarding schools often delve into the lives of students navigating the complexities of tradition, privilege, and camaraderie within the walls of these esteemed institutions. The setting of a boarding school provides a rich backdrop for storytelling, often exploring themes of coming-of-age, friendship, and the clash between tradition and modernity.
“The History Boys”, 2006
Director: Nicholas Hytner
Directed by Nicholas Hytner, this film portrays the lives of a group of bright, funny and unruly students in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university, set in a boys' grammar school in Sheffield.
Starring: Samuel Anderson, James Corden, Stephen Campbell Moore, Richard Griffiths, Frances de la Tour, Andrew Knott, Russell Tovey, Jamie Parker, Dominic Cooper, Samuel Barnett, Sacha Dhawan, Clive Merrison, Penelope Wilton, Adrian Scarborough, Georgia Taylor, Maggie McCarthy, Colin Haigh, Iain Mitchell, David Killick, Patrick Godfrey, Craig Carruthers;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “The History Boys” on the website imdb.com
“The Riot Club”, 2014
Director: Lone Scherfig
Directed by Lone Scherfig, the film centers around the exclusive Riot Club, a fictionalized version of the real-life Bullingdon Club, and their excessive behavior at an Oxford University dining club.
Starring: Sam Claflin, Max Irons, Douglas Booth, Jessica Brown-Findlay, Holliday Grainger, Freddie Fox, Ben Schnetzer, Natalie Dormer, Gordon Brown, Sam Reid, Matthew Beard, Tom Hollander, Jack Farthing, Olly Alexander, Josh O'Connor, Samuel West, Andrew Woodall, Anastasia Hille, Rachel Redford, Patrick Barlow, Thomas Arnold, Harry Lloyd, Amber Anderson, Vincent Franklin, Mary Roscoe, Joey Batey, Miles Jupp, Vera Chok, Tony Way, Daniel Kendrick, Amanda Fairbank-Hynes, Teresa Churcher, Aki Omoshaybi, Michael Jibson, Justin Edwards, Joseph Kloska, Sarah Crowden, Liam McKenna, Ashley McGuire, Shola Adewusi, Harry Attwell, James Laurenson, Geraldine Somerville, Julian Wadham, Xavier Atkins, Antonia Anderson, Jennifer Brenner, Jill Buchanan, Glenn Bunn, Robert F. Byrne;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 107 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6;
More information about the film “The Riot Club” on the website imdb.com
“Another Country”, 1984
Director: Marek Kanievska
Directed by Marek Kanievska, this film explores the relationship between two students at an English public school in the 1930s, against the backdrop of the espionage scandal that rocked the British government in the 1960s.
Starring: Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Michael Jenn, Robert Addie, Rupert Wainwright, Tristan Oliver, Cary Elwes, Frederick Alexander, Adrian Ross Magenty, Geoffrey Bateman, Phillip Dupuy, Guy Henry, Jeffry Wickham, John Line, Gideon Boulting, Llewellyn Rees, Arthur Howard, Ivor Roberts, Crispin Redman, Nicholas Rowe, Kathleen St. John, Martin Wenner, Christopher Milburn, Tristram Jellinek, Tristram Wymark, Ralph Perry-Robinson, Anna Massey, Betsy Brantley, James D.R. Hickox, Danny Lee, Charles Spencer, Jim Tavaré;
Production year: 1984;
Genre: drama, melodrama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 90 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “Another Country” on the website imdb.com
“Goodbye, Mr. Chips”, 1939
Director: Sam Wood, Sidney Franklin
Directed by Sam Wood, this classic film follows the life of a schoolteacher, Mr. Chipping, at the fictional Brookfield School, and the impact he has on generations of boys.
Starring: Robert Donat, Greer Garson, Terry Kilburn, John Mills, Paul Henreid, Judith Furse, Lyn Harding, Milton Rosmer, Frederick Leister, Louise Hampton, Austin Trevor, David Tree, Edmund Breon, Jill Furse, Scott Sunderland, Ernest Blyth, John Blythe, Leonard Boucher, Henry Caine, H. Carleton-Crowe, David Croft, Leo de Pokorny, Clive Dunn, Cyril Frankel, Peter Gawthorne, Dane Gordon, Pat Hagan, Martita Hunt, Simon Lack, Jack Lambert, John Longden, Patrick Ludlow, Guy Middleton, Phyllis Morris, Cyril Raymond, J.H. Roberts, Michael Shepley, Nigel Stock, Merle Tottenham, Ronald Ward, Caven Watson;
Production year: 1939;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
Age: 12+;
Duration: 114 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “Goodbye, Mr. Chips” on the website imdb.com
These films provide a diverse range of perspectives on the unique dynamics and challenges within English boarding schools, offering compelling narratives and thought-provoking commentary on the experiences of students within these institutions.
In conclusion, films about English boarding schools encapsulate a rich tapestry of themes, from the rigid structures of tradition and authority to the rebellious spirit of youth striving for individuality. These narratives often explore the complexities of friendship, the struggles against oppressive systems, and the bittersweet journey of growing up. Through their unique settings, these films provide not only a glimpse into the lives of their characters but also offer a broader commentary on society, class, and the formative experiences that shape one's identity. Whether through the lens of nostalgia, drama, or dark humor, the boarding school genre continues to resonate with audiences, inviting reflection on the profound impact of education and the relationships forged in the crucible of youth.
