The History Boys

Director: Nicholas Hytner
Screenwriter: Alan Bennett
Starring: Richard Griffiths, Frances de la Tour, Stephen Campbell Moore, Samuel Barnett, Dominic Cooper
Running time: 112 mins
Certificate: 15

After a promising batch of A-Level results, the headmaster of a Sheffield grammar school pushes eight bright students into a seventh term to prepare for Oxbridge exams. To this end, he employs new teacher Irwin to train them up, though the boys' loyalties are torn between his routes to success and their old English master Hector, complete with wandering hands.

The History Boys was adapted from Alan Bennett's play by the playwright himself, and directed by Nicholas Hytner, with whom he previously collaborated on The Madness of King George. Considering the fact that the award-winning script has undergone few changes during the transition, it's unsurprising that the result is as engrossing and witty as it is.

The National Theatre cast has been transferred wholesale for the screen version, and none of the actors disappoint. Richard Griffiths is, despite his character's follies, endearing as the inspirational Hector, whilst Frances de la Tour gives a deliciously deadpan performance as the pragmatic history teacher. Meanwhile, none of the boys appear to be there to make up the numbers, each being well-written and rounded. That said, we aren't really encouraged to meet with any the students on an emotional level apart from the 'confused' Posner (Barnett).

With the storyline naturally touching upon class divides (aided by its 1980s setting), it also daringly delves into issues of sexual identity both of the teachers and the students, which is well-handled if a little uncomfortable. In addition, it asks the audience to look at the education system and the culture of short-term learning for the sake of exams (the students) or prestige (the headmaster) - one of the boys points out that there's no need to read a prescribed book as "the gist" will suffice.

Performed by a cast whose enthusiasm for the material is obvious, The History Boys is both witty and poignant. Whilst its stage origins are worn on its sleeve, which risks losing some along the way, it's a production well worth being introduced to cinema-goers.