Dead Poets Society: Final Script original screenplay by Tom Schulman, film directed by Peter Weir This is the final script of the theatrical release of Dead Poets Society. It was obtained from Simply Scripts and initially contained only the dialog from the film. (No descriptions, actions, locations, anything...) I went through the script and added in descriptive text. As I have not had a chance to double check everything, I am sure there are a few errors, typos, or bits of incorrect dialog still. I'll try to verify it all shortly.
INT. WELTON ACADEMY HALLWAY - DAY A young boy, dressed in a school uniform and cap, fidgets as his mother adjusts his tie. MOTHER Now remember, keep your shoulders back. A student opens up a case and removes a set of bagpipes. The young boy and his brother line up for a photograph PHOTOGRAPHER Okay, put your arm around your brother. That's it. And breathe in. The young boy blinks as the flash goes off. PHOTOGRAPHR Okay, one more. An old man lights a single candle. A teacher goes over the old man's duties. TEACHER Now just to review, you're going to follow along the procession until you get to the headmaster. At that point he will indicate to you to light the candles of the boys. MAN All right boys, let's settle down. The various boys, including NEIL, KNOX, and CAMERON, line up holding banners. Ahead of them is the old man, followed by the boy with the bagpipes with the two youngest boys at the front. MAN Banners up. The boys hoist the banners and the bagpipes begin to play loudly. The small group marches out of the room and down a set of stairs into a church. The pews are filled with students and parents while the teachers, all dressed in robes, are seated at the front of the church behind the headmaster. The boys break off to either side at the front of the church. The bagpipes cease and the headmaster, MR. NOLAN, walks over to the old man carrying the candle. MR NOLAN Ladies and gentlemen, boys, the light of knowledge. An organ begins to play as the old man goes forward with shaking hands to the young boys in the front pew. Each boy is holding a candle and he bends over to light the first one. Each boy in turn lights the candle of the boy next to him. MR NOLAN One hundred years ago, in 1859, 41 boys sat in this room and were asked the same question that greets you at the start of each semester. Gentlemen, what are the four pillars? All throughout the pews, uniformed boys rise to their feet. TODD, who is not wearing a uniform, is urged by his father to stand with them. BOYS Tradition, honor, discipline, excellence. The boys quickly return to their seats. MR NOLAN In her first year, Welton Academy graduated five students. Last year we graduated fifty-one. And more than seventy-five percent of those went on to the Ivy 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