FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: The History Boys [DVD] [2006]

The History Boys [DVD] [2006]
enlarge	Director: Nicholas Hytner Actors: Richard Griffiths, Stephen Campbell Moore, Frances De La Tour, James Corden, Sacha Dhawan Studio: 20th Century Fox Category: DVD List Price: ~~£19.99~~ Buy Used: £1.45 as of 25/11/2009 12:38 GMT details You Save: £18.54 (93%) New (23) Used (29) from £1.45 Seller: debbish6 Rating: 87 reviews Sales Rank: 1554 Format: Anamorphic, PAL Language: English (Original Language) Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over Region: 2 Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 100 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 5039036029759 ASIN: B000M2DLIY Theatrical Release Date: 2006 Release Date: March 5, 2007 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


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Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review Based on the acclaimed play of the same name, IThe History Boys/I is a faithful, intelligent piece of cinema, even if it is a little reluctant to stray from its theatrical roots.PPenned by Alan Bennett and set in 1982 Yorkshire, IThe History Boys/I follows a group of `A' Level students as they're schooled through their attempts to get into Oxbridge. Under the tutelage of Richard Griffiths' liberal Hector and Campbell Moore's Irwin, there's plenty here to admire. Firstly, the script crackles along, with snappy dialogue and characters well worthy of your interest. Secondly, the performances from the predominantly young cast are well worthy of note. And then there's the deft directorial touch of Nicholas Hytner (IThe Madness Of King George/I, IThe Crucible/I), all of which lifts IThe History Boys/I into a film of real merit.P There are questions to be asked over whether you're expected to sympathise with one or two characters in the film, of course, and there's the aforementioned issue that it's far too faithful to the source play (which results in an overlong running time). But ultimately, IThe History Boys/I is a witty, challenging and testing film, whose qualities outweigh its problems. --IJon Foster/I

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 87 1 2 3 4 5 6 ...18 Next » Every bit as good as the stage play. September 9, 2007 I. R. Scott (Hove England) 37 out of 39 found this review helpful A brilliant film. Superbly acted by a cast who manage to project real emotion to the screen. Having seen the stage play twice, I was doubtful that the film could be as good. Fortunately the temptation to sensationalise some parts were avoided and the resulting film is excellent. Isn't is funny how those who object on moral grounds only seem worried by the homosexuality. Of the critical reviews I have read, not one condemned the headmaster for his groping of the school secretary!. Modern day standards or just discrimination? br /I viewed the DVD on rental and purchased it the following day. Can not recommend it highly enough.. br /Ian Scott The History Boys June 8, 2007 Malc Toll (London, UK) 44 out of 47 found this review helpful I have bought many DVD's through Amazon, but having seen this film on the stage, at the cinema and now on a rented DVD, I decided to share my views with others for the first time. Perhaps being a little biased as I think everything Alan Bennett writes is worth reading or looking at, I must disagree with those reviewers who feel it is too faithful to the stage play. If it hadn't been then I think it would have diminished the quality of the production. br /I've shared the film with any friends of a variety of ages, from 17 to 87 and there has not been one who hasn't found it a very enjoyable experience. A film well worth taking the time to look at. The History Boys June 6, 2007 lazylinguist 24 out of 26 found this review helpful Excellent. Low-key presentation belies the excellence of the movie. Quick-witted and clever, fine characterisation - this movie was a pleasure to watch. Good Sunday afternoon viewing. Not as good as the play, but still very good indeed January 6, 2007 Dr. George L. Sik (Epsom, Surrey) 36 out of 40 found this review helpful It's very difficult to improve upon a successful play when you make it into a film. Even when it is done well (say, Sleuth or The Little Shop of Horrors), it's still never quite as good as seeing it on stage. What Alan Bennett and Nicholas Hytner have tried to do here is to open up the emotional lives of the play's characters a bit more and make the feel more naturalistic. br / br /Neither ambition succeeds all that well: though Irwin (Stephen Campbell Moore) is now a more vulnerable teacher, the emotion somehow distracts from the argument at the work's heart about what education should be about (passing exams or learning for its own sake - and what should be learned?). As for the fact that everything feels more real, this robs us of some of the best jokes from the play, such as Mrs Lintott (Frances de la Tour)'s complaint that she has 'not so far been afforded an inner voice'. br / br /These are tiny quibbles - the film is still streets ahead of most in terms of ideas, intellect and sophistication...and is still very funny. But the changes are interesting and not entirely welcome. Posner (Samuel Barnet) ends up with a more optimistic future than he did in the play, surely sentimentality on Bennett's part, though this is offset by one of the other boys being killed by friendly fire in Iraq. An added PE teacher doesn't add much. For me, most disappointingly of all, Russell Tovey's plain-speaking Rudge (my favourite character) doesn't get to sing It's a Sin at the end so gets to finish his schooldays on a note of regret, rather than personal triumph. Bizarrely, I hear this terrific scene has even been cut from the play now. br / br /I'm being picky, of course. It's still marvellously enjoyable. The play was just that teensy bit better. But, as I've said, that's true of everything from The Rocky Horror Show to Henry V. Delectable, memorable work April 25, 2007 A. Goodall 19 out of 21 found this review helpful Haven't been moved sufficiently by a film before to warrant writing a review but, having just finished watching a rented copy of The History Boys, felt the need to share - what a great piece of work this is. br /My opinion is that this is an intelligent, articulate, powerful, soak-up-every-minute-of-it-drama; beautifully crafted. In the script by Alan Bennett is dialogue in a magical blend of earthy reality, blissful theatrics and some truly sharp hilarious comedy. The direction and production is top quality and is really theatre brought to the screen, which I loved. The cast is superb, in my view without exception and deserving equal tribute; it was an additional pleasure to find Frances de la Tour on the list. The spine-tingling singing which occurs from time to time is another fine attribute of many. This is a captivating film. I've bought it will very likely watch it for years and years to come; it's real quality of a kind rarely found. Showing reviews 1-5 of 87 1 2 3 4 5 6 ...18 Next »

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