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Tom Brown's School Days

11 votes

When private tutor Thomas Arnold becomes headmaster at an English preparatory school for boys, he puts into place a policy of strict punishment against unruliness and bullying. Arnold finds an ally in Tom Brown, a new student who is secretly subjected to abuse by a group of older boys. He eventually plucks up the courage to lead his fellow classmates in an underground rebellion against their tormentors.

Status: Released

Released Date: 1940-06-26

Runtime: 86 mins

Director: Robert Stevenson

Spoken language: English

Genres: Drama, Family

Original title: Tom Brown's School Days

Production Companies:

Production Countries: United States of America

Cast

Cedric Hardwicke

Freddie Bartholomew

Jimmy Lydon

Josephine Hutchinson

Billy Halop

Polly Moran

Hughie Green

Ernest Cossart

Alec Craig

Gale Storm

Antoinette Rotche

Lionel Belmore

Grimsby aka Old Grimey

Barlowe Borland

Maid

Rita Carlyle

Reviews

Geronimo1967

There is something almost vicarious about this depiction of the trials and tribulations of the young "Tom Brown" (Jimmy Lydon) as he struggles at the famous Rugby school. It's more of an evaluation of his impassioned headmaster "Thomas Arnold" (Sir Cedric Hardwicke in one of his more substantial roles) who, despite his reputation for rather unorthodox teaching, accepts this position determined to drag education kicking and screaming, if needs be, into a new century. Like it or not, "Brown" is the to be held up as exemplar for his ideals. The story addresses the issues around modernising learning, but also of integrity and decency (and, frequently, the lack of those virtues) amongst the boys as they grow into men. "Flashman" (Billy Halop) is particularly effective as the young man's tormentor and Robert Stevenson creates a story that offers us an opportunity to scrutinise the aspirations (and sacrifices) of both teacher and pupils alike. Freddie Bartholomew ("Ned") and Josephine Hutchinson ("Mrs. Arnold") add richness to, and diversion from, the intensity of the story and help present us with decent thought-provoking exposé of attitudes and loyalties that still resonate 80 years later...

2022-06-23

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