Dead Poets Society script

Now remember, keep your shoulders back.

Okay. Put your arm around your brother. That's it.

That's it, right there.

Okay, one more.

Now, just to review.

You're going to follow along with the procession...

until you get to the headmaster.

At that point, he will indicate to you to light the candles of the boys.

All right, boys, let's settle down.

Banners up!

Ladies and gentlemen, boys, the light of knowledge.

One hundred years ago, in 1859...

41 boys sat in this room...

and were asked the same question...

that now greets you at the start of each semester.

Gentlemen, what are the four pillars?

Tradition, honor...

discipline, excellence.

ln her first year...

Welton Academy graduated five students.

Last year, we graduated 51...

and more than 75% of those...

went on to the lvy League.

This, this kind of accomplishment...

is the result...

of fervent dedication to the principles taught here.

This is why you parents have been sending us your sons.

This is why we are the best preparatory school in the United States.

As you know...

our beloved Mr. Portius of the English Department retired last term.

You will have the opportunity later to meet his replacement Mr. John Keating...

himself an honors graduate of this school.

And who, for the past several years...

has been teaching at the highly regarded Chester School in London.

- Richard, you forgot your bag. - Hi, Johnny. Hey, how you doin'?

Glad you could come by.

-Thrilling ceremony as usual, Dr. Nolan. -You've been away too long.

- Hello, Dr. Nolan. - Good to have you. - This is our youngest, Todd.

Mr. Anderson, you have some big shoes to fill, young man.

- Your brother was one of our finest. - Thank you.

- Lovely ceremony. - Thank you. l'm so glad you liked it.

- Gale. - Tom.

- Good to see you again. - Hello, Mr. Nolan.

- Neil, we expect great things from you this year. - Thank you, sir.

- Well, he won't disappoint us. Right, Neil? - l'll do my best, sir.

- Come on, son. - Chin up. - Okay.

- Chin up. - No tears now.

- l don't want to go here. - Honey, l love you.

- l'll walk you over. - There, there. Do your lessons.

Hey. l hear we're gonna be roommates.

- l'm Neil Perry. - l'm Todd Anderson.

- Why'd you leave Balincrest? - My brother went here.

Oh, so you're that Anderson!

This is for his sinuses. And, oh, if he, if he can't, uh, swallow, you give him one of these.