Reviews
In the IMDb articles, the reviews are generally mixed. Rotten Tomatoes’s web page the general consensus was “While not quite have the impact of its original stage version, The History Boys nevertheless is a witty and involving school drama”.
The official webpage
There are some reviews of the stage play and the film, mostly from the main sources of critics, including LA Times, Rolling Stones Magazines, NY Times, and London Movie Review.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Distribution and Marketing
Distribution
It was commercially played in the United States in a limited release, distributed by Fox Searchlight. It was also released world wide in most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Korea, Philippines, and Argentina. It was later made into a DVD, with 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and Gativideo (for Argentina). This is still in retail and rental stores.
Box Office
U.S. Box Office $2,706,659 (as of February 7, 2008)
Non-USA Gross $7,700,000
Collateral
Posters, postcards and website all used the boys and the teacher with a stark white and light background of a London school, and the title in a green font. The DVD cover uses the Union Jack as a background and the boys and a white title is huge white font. The trailer reminds me of Dead Poets society.
Marketing
I liked the focus on the boys and teacher but I feel there could have been more of an underground appeal to our teenagers. They should of put the attention on the 80s as well since that is the decade it took place, there was a retro movement at the time and it could have helped bring in more viewers.
It was commercially played in the United States in a limited release, distributed by Fox Searchlight. It was also released world wide in most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Korea, Philippines, and Argentina. It was later made into a DVD, with 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and Gativideo (for Argentina). This is still in retail and rental stores.
Box Office
U.S. Box Office $2,706,659 (as of February 7, 2008)
Non-USA Gross $7,700,000
Collateral
Posters, postcards and website all used the boys and the teacher with a stark white and light background of a London school, and the title in a green font. The DVD cover uses the Union Jack as a background and the boys and a white title is huge white font. The trailer reminds me of Dead Poets society.
Marketing
I liked the focus on the boys and teacher but I feel there could have been more of an underground appeal to our teenagers. They should of put the attention on the 80s as well since that is the decade it took place, there was a retro movement at the time and it could have helped bring in more viewers.
The Laurels
Festivals
- American Film Institute (AFI) 2006- Screening
- British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) 2007-
Nominated for Actor in a Leading Role (Richard Griffiths) and Actress in a Supporting Role(Frances De La Tour)
- British Independent Film Festival Awards 2006- Nominated for Best Actress (Frances De La Tour), Most Promising New Comer On Screen (Samuel Barrett and Dominic Cooper), and Best Screenplay (Alan Bennett)
- National Board of Review, USA 2006- Won: Top Ten Film
The Filmmaker
About the Filmmaker – Nicholas Hytner
Nicholas Hytner was originally known as a stage director and has won several Tony awards. He was born and raised in Manchester London, where he began his career in theater. His first noted video contribution was a documentary on a stage show he was working on called the Heat is On. His first movie is The Madness of King George. His last movie before The History Boys was a fairly popular film Center Stage that spawned at least one sequel.
Funding for the Film:
The main sources of the film were the BBC, DNA Films, U.K. Film Council, and Royal National Theatre.
The Pitch and Players
Four gifted teenage boys explore sex and the fast life while trying to pursue a higher education. The dean brings in a new teacher to refine and educate the boys as they begin to spiral out of control. Will the new teacher be able to prepare the kids for the Ivy league?
Key Cast and Crew
Producers- Damian Jones and Kevin Loader
Director/Producer- Nicholas Hytner
Writer- Alan Bennett
Crowther- Samuel Anderson
Timms- James Corden
Irwin- Stephen Campbell Moore
Hector- Richard Griffiths
Ms. Lintott- Frances De La Tour
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