The History Boys

A witty, bittersweet coming-of-age drama that balances sharp banter with a tender, melancholic look at teaching, ambition, and the cost of growing up.

Directed by

Nicholas Hytner

Genres

Drama

Starring

Richard Griffiths, Stephen Campbell Moore, Dominic Cooper

Tagline

History. It's just one bloody thing after another.

Overview

The story of an unruly class of bright, funny history students at a Yorkshire grammar school in pursuit of an undergraduate place at Oxford or Cambridge. Bounced between their maverick English master, a young and shrewd teacher hired to up their test scores, a grossly out-numbered history teacher, and a headmaster obsessed with results, the boys attempt to pass.

How it feels

Warm, melancholic, satirical and earnest. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Education, identity, coming-of-age, sexuality

Content

Mild violence, sexual content and language. No gore.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

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Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)