Carpe diem! Peter Weir’s Dead Poets Society finished filming on this day in 1989. The film starred comedian Robin Williams in a smart and dramatic role as the inspiring teacher Mr. John Keating. As an English teacher at a 1950s boys’ boarding school, Keating somehow gets the young men to break out of their monotonous routines to enjoy the flow of poetry, literature and, most importantly, life. The film was nominated for a total of four Oscars in 1990 (including a Best Actor nod for Williams and one for Best Picture), with writer Tom Schulman bringing home the sole trophy for his original screenplay.
Film Quotable: “O Captain, my Captain. Who knows where that comes from? Anybody? Not a clue? It’s a poem by Walt Whitman about Mr. Abraham Lincoln. Now in this class you can either call me Mr. Keating, or, if you’re slightly more daring, O Captain my Captain.†–Williams as John Keating, addressing his students.