Introducing: "How To Make Films and Influence People" - Dead Poets Society

Send us Fan MailPeter and Andrew revisit the inspirational classic Dead Poets Society, exploring how Robin Williams’ passionate performance as Mr. Keating helped redefine the teacher-student movie. They discuss the film’s themes of nonconformity, tradition, and the pressures of elite education, and debate whether its “seize the day” message still resonates in a modern world.In their remake scenarios, they tackle a coming-of-age challenge: How do you adapt a story about poetry and rebellion for families? Could it work as a girls’ boarding school drama? What would a no-budget horror version look like? Would it be better as a TV series about teachers and students in different eras?The hosts also share their current viewing habits, including The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkens and My Life (directed by Nicolas Winding Refn), while referencing Good Will Hunting, Whiplash, Stand and Deliver, The Holdovers, Lean on Me, Friday Night Lights, Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, and Blair Witch in their discussion.Topics covered: The legacy of “carpe diem,” Robin Williams’ dramatic range, the evolution of school stories, the ethics of inspirational teaching, and why some movies are both timeless and of their time.