Search - Tom Brown's School Days on DVD

A LOST CLASSIC

06/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tom Brown's School Days is one of my favorite movies. I first saw it on local TV many years ago and was captivated by this classic coming of age tale.Tom Brown is sent to a private school in order to save it from closing. The Dean of the school (Sir Cedric Hardwicke) sees Tom's success as the success of the school. Tom becomes a man but finds that the road to manhood is beset with terrible choices. The ending is inspiring and will put a lump in your throat.If Harry Potter is a modern day Oliver Twist then Tom Brown is the link between them. In fact, there are many parallels between this film and "Potter." Both feature British boys becoming men at private schools, fighting off bullies and bad guys and bonding with lovabale characters. Tom can't perform magic but he has tremendous courage and lots of heart. I found this gem on VHS and watched it so many times that the tape broke and I had to buy another one. Now on DVD it'll be mine forever."

Be careful when you order this title

Brian S | 08/12/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I ordered this title and received a home made copy on DVD (copied from a VHS) instead of the original as released by Gotham. Be careful."

Wonderful, lively story, abounding in charm.

Reliable Reviews | Carmel Valley, California | 01/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
Based upon true persons and the true experiences of the author. An exciting story of life at a boy's boarding school in England in the early 1830's. Shows the many adventures of new student Tom Brown with only a few minutes in the classroom. The real life headmaster of the school, Dr. Thomas Arnold, and his challenge to motivate the boys; "if they wish to govern others, they must first learn to govern themselves." A very lively story of friendship, with humor, adventure, and clever boyhood mischief. The bully, the Flashman, is well played, as are the many charming supporting characters.

The 1973 version is good, but lacks the great charm and lively pace of this 1940 version. However, the 1973 version has an almost completely different story; so if you have seen one; you can watch the other without repeating yourself.

There is either a sequel or this copy cut part of the story. I saw other scenes on television with the same actors. This version had at least one sentence cut. Amazon should put the sequel or the full length on DVD, and restore it (not remaster, not lighten and wash out). There is also a different 1951 version.

The 1951 version has no humor. It is not half as good as the 1940 version, but the story is different, holds your interest, and is worthwhile; though actor Robert Newton playing the doctor still looks like the pirate Long John Silver to me in the 1951 version."

"What's a school boy to do with moral principles?"

Samantha Kelley | USA | 10/11/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you liked Boys Town and Goodbye, Mr. Chips, you'll enjoy Tom Brown's School Days. Rugby is a boarding school in England where Dr. Thomas Arnold (Cedric Hardwicke) has reformed the goings on. His hard work has paid off and has helped the attending boys to learn integrity and confidence. Some boys have gained too much confidence, and bullies like Flashman (Billy Halop) have begun to cause problems. Tom Brown (Jimmy Lydon) is new at the school; his father went to Rugby when he was young too. Tom relies on East (Freddie Bartholomew) as his mentor, but cannot escape Flashman's reign. The code at the school is to tell no tales, or in other words not to rat on each other. This makes it difficult for Tom to have friends and to enjoy the school.

The cast is really exciting to see. Lydon is appropriately naive and sweet in his part, a character to sympathize with. Halop is best known for his stint with the Dead End Kids as a tough kid from the streets. Fellow Dead End star Leo Gorcey once commented that Halop was the most talented kid in the group. Also featured here is an adolescent Bartholomew. He is just as good an actor as ever, but as many child stars experience, his career was on the decline. It is fortunate that we have a rare glimpse into his later life with this film."