“Films about Eton” generally revolve around the prestigious Eton College, one of the most well-known and elite boarding schools in the world. These films often explore the lives of the students, the unique culture of the institution, and the challenges and experiences they encounter within its hallowed halls.
“Another Country”, 1984
Director: Marek Kanievska
This film is set in the 1930s and follows the experiences of two students at an English public school, closely resembling Eton College. It delves into themes of class, sexuality, and the rigid social structure of the time.
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
“The Riot Club”, 2014
Director: Lone Scherfig
This film centers around an exclusive, hedonistic dining club at Oxford University, but it provides a glimpse into the world of privilege and excess that is often associated with institutions like Eton.
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
“Goodbye, Mr. Chips”, 1939
Director: Sam Wood, Sidney Franklin
While not directly about Eton, this classic film portrays the life of a beloved schoolteacher at a fictional public school in England, reflecting the timeless traditions and values associated with such institutions.
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
“The History Boys”, 2006
Director: Nicholas Hytner
Set in a fictional boys' grammar school in northern England, this film explores the academic and personal struggles of a group of bright, funny, and often eccentric students as they prepare for the daunting Oxford and Cambridge entrance exams.
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
These films offer a glimpse into the world of elite British education and the complexities of life within these esteemed institutions.
In the selection of films about Eton, it's evident that the institution's rich history and traditions serve as a captivating backdrop for storytelling. From the coming-of-age tales set against the backdrop of Eton's hallowed halls to the exploration of its complex social dynamics, these films offer a window into a world of privilege, tradition, and the challenges faced by its students. The portrayal of Eton in these films invites both introspection and intrigue, shedding light on the complexities of this iconic institution and the lives within it. Whether through drama, comedy, or introspective documentary, these films provide a multifaceted exploration of Eton's unique place in the cultural landscape.
