The History Boys (film)

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This article is about the 2006 film. For the play, see The History Boys.

The History Boys

Directed by	Nicholas Hytner
Produced by	Damian Jones Kevin Loader Nicholas Hytner
Written by	Alan Bennett
Starring	Richard Griffiths Clive Merrison Frances de la Tour Stephen Campbell Moore Samuel Anderson Samuel Barnett Dominic Cooper James Corden Sacha Dhawan Andrew Knott Jamie Parker Russell Tovey
Cinematography	Andrew Dunn
Editing by	John Wilson
Language	English
IMDb profile

The History Boys is a British film released in October 2006. The cast is that of the successful London and New York productions of The History Boys.

1 Plot
2 Awards
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Crowther, Posner, Dakin, Timms, Akthar, Lockwood, Scripps and Rudge, are eight ordinary boys who have recently obtained the some of the highest scores ever at their grammar school, and are hoping to enter Oxford or Cambridge, taking an exam in History. The "General Studies" teacher, who they've nicknamed "Hector" (Richard Griffiths), is their favorite, and works alongside their deputy head and regular history teacher, Mrs Lintott (Frances de la Tour). He was in a lot of trouble after "accidentally" feeling ladies' man Dakin (Dominic Cooper)'s genitals. However, the boys still take turns riding home on the back of his bike.

To assist Hector, the headmaster (Clive Merrison) hires another teacher by the name of Irwin (Stephen Campbell Moore). Irwin is a very different teacher from Hector, teaching a more pragmatic way. When the two teachers are forced to share a class due to timetable issues, tension arises between them.

In trust, Posner (Samuel Barnett) comes to see him with a problem, and Posner explains to him that he suspects that he might be homosexual and is convinced that he is in love with Dakin. Dakin is currently seeing school employee Fiona (Georgia Taylor), who is causing Dakin frustration.

Even more complications arise when the time arises for the boys to actually take their scholarship tests. Afterwards, Dakin produces a copy of his essay for Irwin to look over. Irwin is amazed by the fact that Dakin has taken all of his advice and that his essay is perfect. However, in the conversation, Irwin inadvertantly confirmed Dakin's suspicions of Irwin's own homosexuality, due to his fondness towards Dakin.

After intereviews, when the boys receive their replies through the post, it seems that they have all got in, except for Rudge (Russell Tovey). When Mrs Lintott questions him about it, it turns out that Rudge had got in after all, but due to a family connection.

Dakin approaches Irwin in his classroom after the celebrations, and invites Irwin to give him a blowjob "as a thank you". They make an appointment to "have a drink" on Sunday. He tells him that he has seen two sides to Irwin; a professional, teacher-like and yet care-free side to him, and a boring regular side with no social life.

They prepare to leave the Grammar School for the last time, and Hector agrees to give Dakin a ride home on the bike "for old times' sake". However, before they leave, the Headmaster runs out of the school and stops them, saying Hector shouldn't take one of the boys and should take Irwin instead. Dakin gladly hands the helmet to him, and the screen fades to white as they drive off, the boys waving happily and laughing.

Fastforward to some time later, as it is revealed in a twist that the two bikers were in an accident on their way home, possibly caused by Irwin leaning the wrong way on a corner. Irwin was badly injured, but Hector did not survive. The boys are at the funeral, the headmaster giving the Eulogy. The scene then changes abrubtly to an almost empty hall with only the eight boys and Mrs Lintott inside. "I wonder if they will come to my funeral", Mrs Lintott remarks, before explaining the futures of the eight boys. They have entered a variety of careers, Rudge became a builder, and Lockwood (Andrew Knott) died in the army at the age of 28.

The film ends with a collection of moments involving Hector, leading up to the moment that a photo of the entire class was taken, from earlier in the film. The photo spans the entire screen, and the closing credits are played over the photo.