Tom Brown's Schooldays (2005 film)

Infobox Television Film
name = Tom Brown's Schooldays
image_sized = Tom Browns Schooldays 2005.jpg
format = Drama
director = Dave Moore
producer = Charles Pattinson
writer = Thomas Hughes
Ashley Pharoah
starring = Alex Pettyfer
Stephen Fry
music = John E. Keane
cinematography = Ryszard Lenczewski
editing = Beverley Mills
distributor = ITV
Company Pictures
released = January 1 2005 (UK)
April 10 2007 (USA)
runtime = 93 min.
country = flagicon|UK
language = English
budget = $10 million
website = http://www.companypictures.co.uk/production.aspx?code=tombrown
imdb_id = 0415322

"Tom Brown's Schooldays" is a 2005 film TV movie adaptation of the Thomas Hughes novel of the same name. It was released on the 1st January 2005 and released on DVD 9 days later. [http://www.gov.im/dti/iomfilm/pastproductions/tombrown.xml]

Plot

Tom Brown (Alex Pettyfer) is energetic, stubborn, kind-hearted, and athletic more than intellectual. He acts according to his feelings and the unwritten rules of the boys around him more than adults' rules.

The film deals with his years at the Rugby School for Boys. His year starts when he goes to Rugby School, where he becomes acquainted with the adults and boys who live at the school and in its environs.

On his arrival, the 13-year-old Tom Brown is looked after by a more experienced classmate, Harry "Scud" East (Harry Michell). Soon after, Tom and East become the targets of a bully named Flashman (Joseph Beattie). The intensity of the bullying increases, and, after refusing to hand over a sweepstake ticket for the favorite in a horse race, Tom is deliberately burned in front of a fire. Tom and Scud stop Flashman's bullying when Flashman is expelled after a fight with Tom in which he used brass knuckles.

Cast

*Alex Pettyfer as Tom Brown
*Stephen Fry as Dr. Thomas Arnold
*Harry Michell as Harry "Scud" East
*Joseph Beattie as Flashman
*Clive Standen as Brooke
*Jemma Redgrave as Mary Arnold
*Guy Roberts as Shocked Boy in Audience
*Harry Smith as George Arthur

Differences from the novel

The start of the movie includes real historical events which are not in the book: Dr. Arnold closing down the school hunt; Dr. Arnold complaining that before his time, there were no masters in the school overnight to keep the boys in order.

Reaction

"Tom Brown's Schoolday's" was met positively by the critics. [ [http://www.companypictures.co.uk/production.aspx?code=tombrown Official Website] ] It was called "a flash of evil genius" by "The Daily Express", "one of the best TV adaptations of an English classic I have seen" by "The Daily Mail"; "The Radio Times" said that "viewers of every political colour will find much to delight them in Tom Brown's Schooldays" , and "The Hollywood Reporter" said that "this new Tom Brown turns out to be an outstanding family viewing experience".

Awards and nominations

It was nominated for "Made for TV Movie" in 2005 by RITV.

External links

* [http://www.companypictures.co.uk/production.aspx?code=tombrown Official Website]
* [http://www.gov.im/dti/iomfilm/pastproductions/tombrown.xml "Tom Brown's Schooldays" at THE ISLE OF MAN]
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