Dead Poets Society - Szenenprotokoll

		Länge der Szene	Zählwerk Videorecorder
Szenenübersicht mit Fragen und Antworten
scene 1	Chapel of Welton Academy: Introductory scenes. Film credits. Last preparations for opening ceremony.	2,05	0:00:00
Q1	Name the mini-scenes at the beginning of the film before Headmaster Nolan makes his speech.
1	mural painting of a group of boys
2	little school boy is dressed
3	title of film and credits
4	bagpiper opens bagpipe case
5	photo taken of two boys
6	candle is lit
7	whispering people
8	elderly gentleman with candle gets instructions
9	banner bearers are shown
10	procession enters the chapel
Q2	What is the function of these numerous short scenes/glimpses?
1	They provide the setting and create some kind of tension, because we cannot make head nor tail of quite a few of these scenes at first glance. We will only be able to do that in retrospect, or if we know the book.
Q3	What impression do we get of the school, the parents, teachers and students?
	It looks like a prestigious old private school with many traditions. Parents seem to be rich (cars!) and important people. Students wear blazers with school badges.
Q4	In which order does the procession enter the chapel?
1	little boys
2	bagpipers
3	banner bearers
4	among the banner bearers, elderly gentleman with candle

scene 2	Headmaster Nolan’s speech with introduction of Keating.	1,53	0:02:05
Q1	Characterize Nolan based on his facial expression and on the way he talks.
	Nolan smiles, one of the few occasions that he does so. His smile, however, is a bit strange. He looks and is conceited; "We are the best preparatory school in the United States!" He makes it clear by the way he talks and behaves that he is the boss.
Q2	Name the "four pillars" of Welton Academy.
1	Tradition
2	Honor
3	Discipline
4	Excellence

scene 3	Outside: Parents say good-bye to their sons.	1,44	0:03:58
Q1	What does Nolan say to Todd?
	"You have some big shoes to fill, young man. Your brother was one of our finest."
Q2	What does Nolan say to Neil?
	"Neil, we expect great things from you this year!"

scene 4	Neil and other boys in Neil’s room.	1,30	0:05:42
Q1	Name the "four-pillar-version" of the boys.
1	Travesty
2	Horror
3	Decadence
4	Excrement

scene 5	Mr. Perry in Neil’s room: Argument about too many extracurricular activities.	1,51	0:07:12
Q1	How does Neil address his father?
	He calls him "sir": "Yessuh!"
Q2	What does this form of address reveal about the father-son relationship?
	Authoritarian father who behaves like a drill sergeant in the army. Shy and obedient son. It should, however, be pointed out that in conservative Southern families this form of address "Yes Sir!" / "Yes M’am!" can still be found today.

scene 6	Bells ringing from steeple of school chapel.	0,10	0:09:03
Q1	How are scenes 5 and 6 linked (montage)?
	In scene 5 Todd sets his watch; in 6 we see and hear "the school’s Big Ben".

scene 7	Countryside: Birds in the sky.	0,17	0:09:13

scene 8	Welton Academy: Boys on the staircase.	0,18	0:09:30
Q1	What is the link between scenes 7 and 8 (montage)?
	Possible combining elements could be: noise, wildness, but also longing for freedom.

scene 9	Inside Welton Academy. Glimpses at classes: Chemistry, Latin and trigonometry.	0,12	0:09:48
Q1	Why do the glimpses at different classes in this scene preceed the English class in scene 10?
	The idea is obviously to show how different Mr. Keating is from what the students are used to in the classroom.

scene 10	Keating’s first English lesson: "Carpe Diem".	5,48	0:10:00
Q1	Which name does Keating use for Welton Academy and why does he do so?
	He says "Hellton" Academy which is, of course, the pun of an alumnus and one of his many ways to attract the attention of his students.
Q2	What does Keating whisper when the boys look at old photos in the Honor Room?
	"Carpe diem!"
Q3	Characterize Keating based on the "carpe diem lesson".
	He is strange, weird, eccentric, but nice.
Q4	Based on this lesson, explain his philosophy of life.
	"Since life does not last forever, and men must die and will eventually "fertilize daffodils", Keating advocates a philosophy that can best be summed up in sentences/quotations like: "Seize the day." "Make your lives extraordinary." "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may."

scene 11	Students leave class and give their opinion on Mr. Keating.	0,24	0:15:48
Q1	How do the boys characterize Keating?
	"weird, different, spooky"

scene 12	Boys in the showers.	0,30	0:16:12

scene 13	Todd alone in his room.	0,27	0:16:42

scene 14	Dr. Hager takes Knox to the Danburrys.	0,41	0:17:09
Q1	How does the film (in a positive sense) foreshadow the love scene that follows?
	There are beautiful pictures of the countryside, and romantic harp music accompanies the scene.

scene 15	Knox falls in love with Chris who opens the door at the Danburrys.	0,28	0:17:50

scene 16	Knox is welcomed by the Danburrys.	0,11	0:18:18
Q1	What does Mr. Danburry call Knox?
	"A spitting image of his father"

scene 17	Study hall at Welton Academy: radio experiment. Knox: "I’ve met the most beautiful girl ..."	1,31	0:18:29

scene 18	The Pritchard Poetry lesson.	5,33	0:20:00
Q1	How is Cameron characterized through the camera work in this scene?
	He dutifully copies Keating’s graphs without even being told to do so, then crosses everything out when Keating does it on the board. After hesitating for a long time he rips the pages out, but he does it neatly with a ruler. He acts like a teacher’s pet, seems to be an unpleasant character.
Q2	What point of view does the camera take before McAllister enters the classroom?
	The camera "looks" into the classroom "through the door", thus adopting Mr. McAllister’s point of view.
Q3	Comment on Keating’s "In my class you will learn to think for yourselves again ...".
	The very class in which Keating has the boys rip out the pages from their textbooks is not altogether a good example , because Keating talks them into doing it. In this scene he acts somewhat like a demagogue, and the boys do what he wants them to do without really thinking about it.
Q4	Which camera angle is used in the "I have a little secret for you" scene? Why?
	Low angle. Keating has the boys huddle up - he always does so when he tells them a secret. He assumes the position of a "guru". Kindergarten teachers talk to the kids in a similar way.
Q5	Which are the "noble pursuits necessary to sustain life" according to Keating? (4 words)
1	medicine
2	law
3	business
4	engineering
Q6	"These are what we stay alive for." Name the 4 terms.
1	poetry
2	beauty
3	romance
4	love
Q7	Do you agree with Keating’s point of view?
Q8	Last close-up in this scene: Who is in the picture? Why?
	Todd, he absorbs Keating’s every word like a sponge.

scene 19	Saying grace in dinner hall.	0,17	0:25:33
Q1	What links scenes 18 and 19 (montage)?
	In scene 18 Keating asks Todd, "What would (will) your verse be? In scene 19 we hear a different kind of verse: "For what we are about to receive may ther Lord make us truly grateful."

scene 20	Keating and McAllister discuss realism/romanticism at dinner table.	0,57	0:25:50
Q1	What is Keating’s answer to McAllister’s "Show me the heart unfettered by foolish dreams, and I’ll show you a happy man."?
	"Only in their dreams can men be truly free T’was always thus and always thus will be."
Q2	Based on this scene and on scene 18, explain the difference between realism and romanticism as Keating and McAllister see it.

scene 21	Neil Perry finds an old school annual in the library with an article about Keating and the Dead Poets Society.	0,26	0:26:47

scene 22	In the courtyard: Boys ask Keating about DPS	2,56	0:27:13
Q1	How (position!) does Keating tell Neil about the DPS? On what kind of occasions is this position used by Keating ?
	He kneels down and huddles up with the boys whenever he tells them what he considers to be a secret.
Q2	What were the Dead Poets dedicated to? Quote and name the author.
	"They were dedicated to sucking the marrow out of life", Thoreau.
Q3	There is a close-up of Neil in this scene. What is he thinking?
	A new DPS is born in his head.
Q4	What is Neil trying to do at the end of this scene?
	He tries to talk Knox into joining the DPS.

scene 23	Study hall: Boys study cave map.	0,31	0:30:09
Q1	What links scenes 22 and 23?
	electronic music, otherwise hard cut

scene 24	Dorm hall: Neil invites Todd to join the DPS.	0,49	0:30:40
Q1	What kind of scene (technical term)?
	Persuasion scene

scene 25	Pre-bedtime activity in front of dormitory.	0,34	0:31:29

scene 26	Neil’s room: He finds poetry anthology on his desk.	0,19	0:32:03
Q1	What is the title of the anthology?
	"Five Centuries of Verse"
Q2	How did the anthology get on Neil’s desk?
	Keating probably put it there.

scene 27	The boys run to the cave at night.	2,23	0:32:22
Q1	Describe the atmosphere in this scene and list all the devices/means by which this atmosphere is established.
	Eerie, mysterious, spooky, created by:
1	music
2	door squeaking
3	dog barking
4	darkness
5	shadows
6	deserted corridor
7	boys in KKK-like hoods
8	moon shadows
9	wolf howling
10	birds in shock
11	blurred picture
12	flashlight beams
13	owl
14	Charlie scaring the others, "I am a dead poet"

scene 28	In the cave (no. 1): Neil opens the meeting and reconvenes the DPS.	0,59	0:34:51

scene 29	Neil tells a spooky story.	2,04	0:35:50

scene 30	Cameron tries to tell a joke. Pitts reads a funny poem. Charlie shows pin-up girl and reads poem.

scene 31	Neil reads from "Ulysses" by Tennyson	0,36	0:37:54

scene 32	Meeks reads "Then I saw the Congo ..." by Vachel Lindsay, and boys dance and clown to the beat	0,51	0:38:30

scene 33	Bell rings and hooded boys run home	0,07	0:39:21

scene 34	Back in class, the next day: Keating's lesson on language ("Language was invented to woo women.")	0,07	0:39:28
Q1	How does Keating deal with Todd in this scene?
	He is picking on him, is unfair.

scene 35	Keating imitates Marlon Brando and John Wayne in Shakespeare plays	1,31	0:39:35

scene 36	Keating's "point of view lesson". He and boys jump on desk.	1,39	0:41:06
Q1	How does the filmmaker/the actor represent Keating in this scene?
	Keating is depicted as an eccentric teacher and a great entertainer.
Q2	What is it that Keating wants the boys to learn?
	That they must constantly force themselve to look at things differently.
Q3	What camera angle is used in this scene and why?
	Keating demonstrates literally that a different point of view changes perspective.

scene 37	Outside activities: rowing, fencing, dancing	0,44	0:42:45
Q1	What is the function of the rock'n roll scene on the tower?
	The boys start doing things their own way, they begin to seize the day.

scene 38	In their room: Todd tries to write a poem and is interrupted by Neil who shows him a note about "A Midsummer Night's Dream"	0,52	0:43:29
Q1	What does Neil shout in this scene? What does that indicate?
	"Carpe diem!" Neil's coming-out scene.
Q2	What camera angles are used in this scene and why?
	High- and low-angle shots: Todd is always sitting on his bed in a lower position: superiority/dominance versus inferiority/helplessness is expressed. Then straight-on angle shots are used when Neil steals Todd's poem, and a crazy man hunt over the beds begins.

scene 39	Todd advises Neil to ask his father's permission and is told by Neil to become active himself	2,21	0:44:21

scene 40	Knox goes to town by bicycle	0,36	0:46:42
Q1	Describe the atmosphere in this scene. How is it conveyed?
	An atmosphere of joy, conveyed by romantic harp music and images of a beautiful countryside; Knox shouts for joy.

scene 41	The schoolband on their way to the football stadium	0,21	0:47:18

scene 42	"High life" in front of the football stadium: - a boy dancing on top of the school bus - cheerleaders dancing - Knox watching from behind sun glasses	0,08	0:47:39

scene 43	Knox sees Chris hugging Chat and returns home, disappointed	0,26	0:47:47

scene 44	Outside Welton Academy: Keating’s "soccer lesson"	0,34	0:48:13

scene 45	Boys recite verses while kicking balls	0,58	0:48:47
Q1	Write down the verses recited by: 1. Pitts (0:48:47) 2. Charlie
1	"Oh, to struggle against great odds, to meet enemies undaunted!"
2	"To indeed be a god."

scene 46	Neil has got the part of Puck	0,15	0:39:45

scene 47	Neil fakes a letter of permission	0,32	0:50:00
Q1	Write down the first sentence of the letter!
	"I am writing on behalf of my son N.P. ...".

scene 48	Interlude with bagpipe music	0,22	0:50:32
Q1	Describe the atmosphere of this scene.
Q2	What is the function of this scene?

scene 49	Todd alone in his room	0,23	0:50:54
Q1	What is Todd doing in this scene without words?
	A melancholic scene by the lake; NN standing by the landing-stage; Welton Academy in the fog.
Q2	How are scenes 48 and 49 connected?
	It is a foreshadowing of problems to come from Neil's faking the letter. There is a strong contrast between this melancholic scene with sad bagpipe music and the happy atmosphere with trumpet music in "soccer scene" no. 45.

scene 50	In English class the next day: Knox reads his love poem to Chris aloud	0,40	0:51:17

scene 51	"Mr. Hopkins" reads out his "poem"	0,48	0:51:57
Q1	What does Keating say about this "effort"?
	"Congratulations, Mr. Hopkins, you have the first poem that has a negative score on the Pritchard scale".

scene 52	Todd's "yawp lesson"	2,41	0:52:45
Q1	Copy the Walt Whitman verse that Keating writes on the blackboard!
	"I sound my barbaric yawp over the rooftops of the world."
Q2	What kind of camera movement do we find in this scene? Why is it used?
	The camera pans across the picture very fast: it focuses on Keating, who is following Todd through the classroom. The wild camera movement reflects Todd’s emotions.

scene 53	The Ode to Joy scene	0,54	0:55:26
Q1	Comment on the importance of the soundtrack (music) in this scene.
	The music plays a major part: it is vital in creating a certain atmosphere.
Q2	Describe the general atmosphere in this scene.
	An atmosphere of great joy and happiness: The scene establishes the joyous relationship and feelings of friendship and closeness which have emerged between Keating and his students.
Q3	How is this atmosphere created in the film? Pay special attention to 1. music; 2. sound, other than music; 3. colors; 4. images; 5. camera movement.
1	music: Ode to Joy. This music, as indicated by its name, is joyful, and the text, sung in German, underlines it: "Alle Menschen werden Brüder". The boys feel that their teacher is one of them.
2	sound: Apart from the music, there is no sound; the pictures speak for themselves.
3	colors: beautiful, warm colors, particularly with the sunset.
4	images: touching pictures, bordering on kitsch, with the boys carrying Keating on their shoulders into the sunset.
5	camera movement: very fast, but also slow motion.
Q4	Why is there this kind of atmosphere?
	The scene follows the "yawp-lesson" in which Todd has his "coming out". Todd has started "contributing his verse", and everybody is happy about it. This happiness is reflected here.
Q5	"Translate" the "film language" of this scene into "written language".
	"After Todd had made his speech he was very happy, and so were the other boys and Keating. The boys thanked Keating by carrying him on their shoulders." The film can say this all much better: it can communicate non-verbally, touching the viewers’ emotions without ever reverting to dialogue.
Q6	How long, do you think, is scene 53 in minutes?
	The scene lasts less than one minute, but it appears to be considerably longer, due to the fact that the film uses so many different channels.

scene 54	Cave meeting no. 2: Neil comes with a lamp ("the god of the cave"). Charlie plays the saxophone.	2,20	0:56:20

scene 55	Knox calls Chris and is invited to the party	2,08	0:58:40
Q1	Knox shouts out two "verbal leitmotifs" of the story. What are they?
1	"Carpe diem!"
2	"Yawp!"
Q2	Why does he do so?
	Knox wants to encourage himself to make the phone call and when he does it, he is pleased with himself, "yawp" standing for "I did it! I was successful!"

scene 56	The marching lesson	2,08	1:00:48
Q1	Write down the verse by Robert Frost that is quoted here by Keating.
	"Two roads diverged in the wood and I took the one less traveled by."
Q2	What is it that Keating tries to teach the boys in this lesson?
	To resist conformity in their lives, to do things their way.

scene 57	McAllister secretly watches the marching lesson	1,52	1:02:56

scene 58	Todd shows Neil his unwanted birthday present and throws it away
Q1	Describe the atmosphere at the beginning and at the end of the scene.
	First an atmosphere of sadness and melancholy, later an atmosphere of happiness and friendship.
Q2	How is this atmosphere created in the film?
	Darkness, moonlight, twilight; later a joking Neil.
Q3	What is the function of this scene in regard to the relationship between Neil and Todd?
	It illustrates friendship and understanding betwen the two boys. Neil looks after Todd and cheers him up.

scene 59	Cave meeting no. 3: Charlie brings two girls, Tina and Gloria. Charlie announces that "Nuwanda" is his new name.	0,08	1:04:48

scene 60	House of the Danburrys: Knox meets Chris at the party. Knox is made to drink whiskey.	2,38	1:04:56

scene 61	Back at the cave: Charlie: "Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day ..."	0,50	1:07:34
Q1	Why does Charlie recite the Shakespeare sonnet?
	He wants to impress the girls by pretending he wrote it, and he wants "to make them swoon".

scene 62	Back at the party: Knox fondles Chris	3,28	1:08:24
Q1	Comment on the camera movement.
	A somewhat hectic panning shot, which is supposed to show that Knox is drunk.
Q2	What is the function of the close-up of Knox’ face?
	To show what is going on in his mind: he gives himself Dutch courage.

scene 63	Back at the cave: Charlie informs the others that he has published a letter in the school paper: "Admit girls to Welton!"

scene 64	Welton Academy Chapel: Nolan’s speech	0,59	1:11:52
Q1	Describe the atmosphere.
	Threatening. The faculty members enter the chapel like marching soldiers. Nolan yells "Sit!" like a drill sergeant, and the chaplain whispers something ominously into Nolan’s ear. The boys look at one another meaningfully when they are accused.

scene 65	Charlie’s telephone call: "It’s God, Mr. Nolan!"	0,21	1:12:51
Q1	Comment on the facial expressions of the other DPS boys in this scene.
	It looks as if they think Charlie is crazy.

scene 66	Charlie is corporally punished in Nolan’s office	1,06	1:13:13
Q1	Find two close-ups in this scene and comment on their function.
	Nolan’s hand closing the door behind him, the paddle. The close-ups reinforce the threatening mood of this scene and characterize Nolan as a brutal sadist.

scene 67	The other DPS boys are waiting for Charlie in the hall	0,59	1:14:19
Q1	What is the message when Charlie says, "The name is Nuwanda!"
	Translated, it means: "I did not betray you."
Q2	Comment on Charlie’s and Neil’s facial expression at the end of this scene.
	There is a broad smile on their faces; no words are spoken. They understand each other.

scene 68	In Keating’s classroom: Nolan warns him not to use his unorthodox teaching methods	1,18	1:15:18
Q1	How does Nolan address Keating here? Why?
	He calls him "John", not Mr. Keating, as if to say, "I am your friend, listen to me!" It is a menacing intimacy, though.

scene 69	In the hall: Keating reprimands Charlie	1,18	1:16:32
Q1	What does Keating say at the end of this scene? Explain his joke.
	Phone call from God: "If it had been collect it would have been daring!" i.e. if God had made a collect call so that Nolan would have had to pay, it would have been daring.

scene 70	Neil cycles to the play rehearsal	0,40	1:17:50

scene 71	Back at Welton: Neil is visited by his angry father who forbids him to play Puck	1,44	1:18:30
Q1	What point-of-view of the camera is used frequently in this scene? Why?
	Over-the-shoulder shot: It shows the scene from the points of view of the two characters involved, i.e. Neil and his father.
Q2	What does the close-up of Neil’s face reveal about his emotions?
	He is suffering extremely because of his father who behaves like a drill sergeant.
Q3	No words are spoken at the end of this scene - what do the pictures tell?
	Again, they show how Neil suffers from his authoritarian father who shows neither understanding nor sympathy.

scene 72	In Keating’s private room: Neil sees his teacher after the argument with his father. Keating advises Neil to talk to and try to persuade his father.	2,50	1:20:14
Q1	What does the camera tell us about Keating’s private life?
	There is a photo of his girl friend on his desk.
Q2	What is Keating doing when Neil enters the room?
	He is writing a love letter to his girl friend in England.
Q3	How are scenes 71 and 72 connected?
	There is no real link, but a hard cut.
Q4	Compare this "link" with the contents and atmosphere of the two scenes
	The hard cut is not only a film technique, but it also applies to the content and atmosphere: Scene 71 shows Neil’s cruel, natural father, whereas scene 72 shows his understanding "foster-father". The first scene is extremely cold, with an atmosphere like a barrack-square, scene 72 is quiet, with soothing, romantic background music.

scene 73	Henley Hall in the snow: Knox brings Chris flowers and recites his love poem	1,36	1:23:04
Q1	To what extent does the sound of the school bell influence Knox’ action, and what does this tell us about him?
	In spite of the final nature of that sound and the closed classroom door, Knox still follows Chris and recites his poem. He is courageous and seizes the day.

scene 74	A proud Knox "steals" a sandwich from the school kitchen and hurries back to class	0,37	1:24:40

scene 75	Neil lies to Keating saying that he has actually talked to his father	0,55	1:25:17

scene 76	The boys get ready to go to see the play at Henley Hall		1:26:12

scene 77	Charlie paints a Red Indian warrior symbol for virility on his chest	0,42	1:26:12

scene 78	Chris visits Knox at Welton Academy	2,14	1:26:54
Q1	What is the technical term in literature for such a scene?
	Persuasion scene

scene 79	Henley Hall: Excerpts from Shakespeare’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream"	3,48	1:29:08
Q1	What is the play "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" about? Do you understand any details from the excerpts shown in the movie?
	Note to the teacher: A teacher or student outline of the content of the play is recommended
Q2	Compare the two different lines of action: the play and reality (Mr. Perry’s arrival). Collect catchwords: A. The play B. Reality (Mr. Perry)
1	The play: a romantic fairy tale, although there are some menacing undertones, dreams, romantic flute music, "flower children". The romantic mood is somewhat echoed by the audience, where Knox and Chris are holding hands.
2	Reality: A furious and outrageous Mr. Perry, waiting impatiently to take his son home and to send him to a military school.
Q3	Do you see any links between the contents of Neil’s monologue "If we shadows have offended ..." and reality?
	In the monologue, we learn that mistakes have been made, an apology is offered and the wish is expressed that friendship and harmony be restored. Since Neil, as Puck/Robin, seems to address his father directly from the stage, it can be assumed that he also refers to his own situation: he has betrayed his father by forging a letter! "If you pardon, we will mend ...Give me your hands, if we be friends, and Robin shall restore amends ...".

scene 80	Neil gets a standing ovation, then exits with his father	2,23	1:32:56
Q1	What do the DPS boys shout during the standing ovation? Why?
	"Yawp!" Like in Todd’s "yawp lesson", this indicates that from the point of view of his friends, Neil has done something extraordinary, that he has learned the lesson Keating tried to teach the boys.
Q2	At the end of the scene, before the shift to the Perrys’ house: what is Mr. Keating thinking?
	It seems that he is wondering whether Neil has lied to him when he told him about his father’s permission for the play.

scene 81	At the Perrys’ house: Neil and his father come home from Welton Academy and meet Mrs. Perry	2,42	1:35:19
Q1	How does the camera characterize Mr. Perry?
	Mr. Perry is standing, hands in his pockets, like a judge. Neil is sitting like someone accused in court. "We won’t let you ruin your life. We’ll withdraw you from Welton and enrol you in Braden Military School."

scene 82	The Perrys’ bedroom: Mrs. Perry starts crying	0,21	1:38:01

scene 83	Neil in his own room, stares out of the window, puts on Puck’s crown	1,35	1:30:22
Q1	Listen to and comment on the sounds and music.
	Mysterious and dangerous. The music is getting louder at the end, tension is created
Q2	Comment on the lighting.
	The viewer only sees Neil’s shadow on the wall all the time. All of a sudden the "real thing", i.e. Neil himself comes into sight and grabs the wreath. The wreath casts shadows, which look like tears running down his face.
Q3	Are there any special film techniques in this scene? What is their function?
	When Neil lowers his arms after putting the wreath on his head, this happens in slow motion, which puts special emphasis on this symbolic act.
Q4	Can you detect any symbols/symbolism in this scene?
	The wreath, Puck’s crown, resembles Jesus’ crown of thorns. In the book, p.147, although not in the film, the poem "General William Booth Enters Heaven", by Vachel Lindsay comes into focus here. The boys, at a cave meeting with Keating, keep repeating the line "Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?". While they are enacting this ritual, Neil is preparing to commit suicide. Thus the symbolism, the correspondence between the deaths of Salvation Army General William Booth, of Neil and of Jesus is even more explicit in the book than in the film.

scene 84	Neil on his way to and in his father’s study	1,30	1:39:57
Q1	Comment on the sounds and music in this scene.
	In the entire scene there is no sound except synthesizer music; there is an ominous silence and Neil’s steps cannot be heard.
Q2	Are there any extreme field sizes? What is their function?
	A detail shot of doorknob and a close-up of Neil’s bare feet when he is leaving his room create a thrillerlike tension.
Q3	Comment on the lighting.
	You can only see Neil’s shadow walking downstairs, and this gives the scene a spooky and menacing atmosphere.

scene 85	Parents’ bedroom	0,33	1:41:27
Q1	Can you detect any ominous/foreshadowing symbol in this scene?
	Mr. Perry’s hand/fist close to a dagger on his bedside table. The camera focuses on a lamp with a menacing dragon.

scene 86	Neil’s suicide in father’s study	1,09	1:42:00
Q1	Which special film technique is used in this scene and why?
	There is a slow-motion rendering of Mr. Perry discovering Neil’s body, which expresses utmost terror and fear.)

scene 87	Charlie wakes Todd up "Neil is dead!"	0,31	1:43:09

scene 88	Outside, winter scenery: Todd and the other DPS boys after Neil’s death	0,05	1:43:40
Q1	What is the mood/atmosphere in this scene? How is it conveyed through the film?
	A mood of loneliness and sadness: there is sad flute music. Boys wearing dark hoods are marching through the snow of a calm winter landscape.

scene 89	Keating alone in a classroom, starts crying	0,10	1:45:45
Q1	What is the mood/atmosphere in this scene? How is it conveyed through the film?
	A mood of utter despair. A close-up of the line "To be read at the opening of the DPS meetings" evokes memories; it is ironic because this is the end of the DPS. The feeling of despair and loneliness is reinforced through sad music, twilight and Neil’s and Charlie’s empty desks, on which the camera focuses.

scene 90	Funeral Service in Welton Chapel	0,36	1:46:54

scene 91	Nolan’s speech in the chapel: He announces a strict investigation	0,48	1:47:30

scene 92	The DPS boys meet secretly in the trunk room. Charlie beats Cameron up: "You are a rat!"	2,56	1:48:18
Q1	How does Cameron behave in this scene? Comment on his behavior.
	Cameron is a coward traitor. He finked, and his lame excuse is the honor code of the school.

scene 93	Dr. Hager escorts Meeks and later Knox to Nolan’s office for the interrogation	3,14	1:51:14

scene 94	Todd in Nolan’s office, where he meets his parents: He refuses to sign a paper that blames Mr. Keating
Q1	Describe the atmosphere in Nolan’s office. How is this atmosphere created in the film?
	The setting resembles that of a court or prison. Nolan is sitting behind his desk like a judge. Todd’s father, not Nolan, gives his son the paper to sign.
Q2	Name the two close-ups in this scene and comment on their functions
1	A close-up of the signatures of Cameron, Meeks, Pitts and Overstreet. This is meant to say, without a word spoken and in a threatening way, "Only your signature, Todd, is missing."
2	Nolan’s fountain pen, in a close-up, looks like a weapon
Q3	How do the different boys respond to the Headmaster’s effort to blame Mr. Keating for Neil’s death?
	Except for Todd and Charlie Dalton, who is consequently expelled from school, they all sign the paper, thus betraying their teacher.

scene 95	McAllister and boys in snowy courtyard reciting Latin words. McAllister waves good-bye to Keating.	0,32	1:54:28
Q1	Which similar scene is there in the film?
	There is another courtyard lesson, the "marching lesson" in scene 56 that is watched by someone from an upstairs window. Then it is McAllister watching Keating, now it is the other way a round.
Q2	What does this scene tell us about the relationship between Keating and McAllister? How?
	Just before leaving Welton Academy for good, Keating sees the Latin teacher following his open air approach to language classes. They wave to each other, and there seems to be sympathy and understanding now between the two.

scene 96	Nolan replaces Keating as the English teacher: The Second Pritchard poetry lesson	3,12	1:55:00
Q1	Why is the entire scene somehow ironical?
	Nolan reads the very Pritchard preface that Keating had ripped out. Nolan likes it, which characterizes him well.)

scene 97	Todd steps on his desk shouting "Oh captain, my captain ..."	1,48	1:58:12
Q1	Check/analyse the volume of music and speech in scenes 26 and 27 and comment on it.
	There is harp music, which starts just before Todd’s "Captain, my captain!" The music gets louder and louder. Nolan’s voice is evidently also getting louder all the time, but you hear less and less of it. The boys stop listening to him; they don’t hear him any longer.
Q2	Comment on the extreme camera angle in the final scene.
	In a high-angle shot the boys, like the good guys in a Hollywood cowboy film, look down from their desks on their enemy, Nolan, while Keating looks up to the boys gratefully.
Q3	What does this scene tell us about the impact that Keating had on the boys?
	The ending clearly conveys the message that the boys have learned what Keating wanted them to.

scene 98	Todd and Keating look at each other	0,06	2:00:00
Q1	Why are Keating and Todd shown at the very end of the film?
	The main emphasis in the film, at least towards the end, is on Todd who, along with his beloved teacher, is the real hero.

	END OF MOVIE (action)	2,58	2:00:06
credits	END OF CREDITS		2:03:04
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