DIRECTOR'S CUT: Therapist Reacts to DEAD POETS SOCIETY with guest Gale Hansen (Charlie Dalton!)
How do you question authority in a healthy way?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are reacting to Dead Poets Society with guest Gale Hansen, who plays Charlie Dalton in the film. They talk about Charlie’s character arc, including Nuwanda, and the theme of conformity vs. rebellion. Jonathan talks about the balance of respecting and questioning authority and what happens when you push boundaries. They talk about Keating’s inspirational teaching methods and how he influences the young men. And Gale talks about what it was like to work with our cinema hero, Robin Williams.
Comments (103)
I love this movie! Loved it as a kid! I was like 13-14 years old when I first saw it. Charlie Dalton was my favorite character but I was more like Ethan Hawke’s character (shy to the point of being an introvert). But I watch this movie weekly now.
This movie!!!! The first time I ever watched this movie was when I was 18, on a laptop, in a bedroom at a condo my family was staying at in Palm Springs California 🤣 All seriousness though, I absolutely adore this movie. One of my favourite Robin Williams roles. (And I’m right there with you Alan. Charlie was always my favourite character too!)
Gale's comment about the ending, where the Man wins, brings to mind the comic book "Saga" explaining the concept of children's books. To paraphrase, "A young person breaks the rules and goes on an adventure and learns the lesson that the rules are there for a reason and there's no place like home. Stories that might frustrate a clever child and encourage them to try breaking the rules and having adventures."
Yes, I love this movie. What an intelligent guest to have on the show. Gale Hansen's reference to my hero Joseph Campbell was intriguing. I hope to get more information on studio executive's choices on what movies are made effected society.
Heather, Joseph Campbell is also one of my first and foremost heroes... "The Hero with A Thousand Faces" changed my perspective of life entirely! Anytime I hear Joseph Campbell's name in conversation, I am instantly engaged.
What a fascinating, astute discussion with Gale Hansen about a deeply revered film in my life! I am 67, so I did see "Dead Poet's Society" in the theater upon its release. I am of the generation that went to the theater to watch movies; in my young years, it was before video tapes were even available to rent and watch movies! I was excited for the release of "Dead Poet's Society" because Peter Weir was the director. I had already been truly stunned by the films I had seen by Mr. Weir ("Picnic at Hanging Rock," "Gallipoli," "The Year of Living Dangerously," "Witness"). They were moving stories told beautifully. "Dead Poet's Society" was added to that long list of beloved movies directed by Mr. Weir. I do appreciate the ability to stream movies now because it would be difficult to revisit some of the gems I have experienced if they were not made available in some form. However, I agree with your views about seeing movies in the theater and experiencing an emotionally revelatory story within a community. I hope sometime that you might revisit the "Sword of Damocles" (art versus commerce) that now exists for filmmakers. Gale described the situation as it exists so eloquently and mentioned that it was another story. I would love to hear that story. Bravo to all of you and I am grateful for this. I am going to rewatch it for the nuances of the conversation.
I had forgotten the speech on changing your perspective (16:30). It hit hard as an adult - I've spent the last few years rewriting hard wiring that God is a judgmental bastard who wants all of us to rot in Hell because we aren't good enough. It's been so hard, but so important.
I’ve spent decades at this point rewriting the same hard wiring. It has happened in spurts, if that makes sense. Usually something I’ve read or seen challenges another layer. I feel I’m always better off each time. At this point, it’s all about love.
I wish school would still be teaching cursive lessons. They took it away when I was in 4th grade.😰
I've made it a point to find schools for my kids in which it is not only TAUGHT, but ENFORCED. My elder daughter just got a laptop for 6th grade, but they STILL take notes by hand, in cursive. Why? Because you LEARN better and it sinks more deeply when you actually write it down, rather than type. Her current writing is more of a hybrid, but she was taught how to write it both correctly and nearly. That muscle memory will exist throughout her life. You can find places. If anything, check your local library. If you're now a teen or adult ask if they'll run a cursive class. You can teach yourself with guides online, too, but I much prefer to learn in person. My handwriting and cursive both got better as I helped my kids with their lessons... and I bought a stub-nib fountain pen to give myself pretty line work with my cursive. :) Just be careful - now I'm asked to write thank you cards on behalf of my volunteer organizations! 😆
I got my callout during a movie featuring Robin Williams, that I used to teach as an education professor… I can die happy now 🥰
I've seen bits and pieces of this movie when I was a kid, but it's time I give it a proper watch.
It's so worth a few hours of your day. It came out when I was a teen and it was formative.
Such a good episode and movie! One of Robin Williams best movies hands down!
I know I’m not alone in saying this movie changed my life watching it as a teenager. Well all of Robin William’s movies did, but this one has a special place in my heart and part of why I wanted to become an actor. Thanks so much for making this movie and SO COOL that you got to have Nuwanda on your show!! My heart is very happy ❤️
The first time I watched this movie, my 11th grade English teacher had us sit down and watch this. My Mr. Drew was like my very own Mr. Keating. He constantly worked to help us break our brains regarding what we’ve come to know, and however we reassembled the ideas, he wanted to see what each of us came up with. I fear a lot of my classmates just saw him as cooky, but that man helped me reshape my approach to life, which was vital at that age because a lot changed for me personally the following years and I wouldn’t have absorbed it how I have without him. These kinds of educators are exactly who everyone needs
The "sweaty-toothed madman" bit leaves me in tears every time I watch this movie. I don't know it, but it hits my hard. Seeing the first crack through the walls of self restraint and into someones creativity is so powerful, and if you are every there to see that first moment for someone, it leaves you changed. This part of the movie does exactly that for me.
Joseph Campbell! So cool to hear him mentioned here by Gale, everyone needs to know about the Hero’s Journey and ‘Hero With a Thousand Faces’ is a must read. 😊 📖
I agree with you ENTIRELY!
YOOOOOO!!! Charlie was my favorite, LOVED that boy, so cool to get to see Gale on the show!!!!
Guys I loved this so much! I also grew up with all the same Robin Williams movies though I am at least 10years younger than you. He was such an amazing being. This movie was introduced to me in middle school and it had such a profound effect on me. Thank you for this. Speakimg of Robin Williams, I would love to hear your thoughts/see an episode(s) on The Birdcage, Patch Adams, and Flubber. I watched them all as a kid but had such a different take on them as an adult.
YES!! Robin does compassion so well... and pointing out the idiocy of the system while also holding compassion for those trapped in said system. He truly had an amazing gift. I just wish he had felt all the love we reflected back to him. 💔
As a person who grew up in Delaware (where the movie was filmed) this movie was a favorite of my teachers in school and shown to us in 8th grade (with parental approval) it was a big inspiration to me and thank you for diving deep into this movie.
That Movie was amazing when it released a lot like you Alan I miss Robin Williams I often lay there and think what would he be doing now if he was around 🥺 It was amazing seeing Gale that phone call was awesome and quick thinking 😂
Oh, I love this- thank you so much! I don't mean to spam you with recommendations, but a sibling showed me the movie Nimona last night, and it just struck me as something potentially very rich for you to view and/or discuss. The whole thing is about prejudice, and how damaging it is for all involved- but also about how prejudice can expand by demanding that anyone/thing that even appears to question the basis of the prejudice must also be attacked. And about trust, love and support, and what effective versions of that look like- and how someone's love and support might be freely and honestly given, but the form of that support can still be hurtful, damaging, or just not what you need in the moment. And other themes, but I think you'll enjoy the movie any way you choose to watch it.
Thank you so much for this episode. Robin Williams is legitimately the most influential person to my life. Never met him, but he was always someone I turned to when I was feeling down by putting in one of his movies. I also really took a quote of his to heart about how the saddest people are usually the ones trying to make others laugh, because they don't want others to experience what they have experienced. It kinda became my life motto. I really appreciate you guys for talking about how he touched your lives as well. He is gone and that's tragic, but he lives on in all of our hearts and that's beautiful.
Thanks guys. That was wonderful
Thanks! That was a great episode.
Beautiful episode!
Thank you! This one was a labor of love from us, and Stu, our Producer in LA. Corinne handles all our planning and logistics, but Stu handles guests and stuff. He’s really working overtime right now, we’ve got some exciting stuff coming!
That phone-call from God from Gale? His idea!
That’s a mic drop
Alright, what do you all think? More episodes like this, revisiting classics with actors/directors/writers and digging in to depths?
Yes!
"Might have been on the losing side... still not convinced it's the wrong one."
"I aim to misbehave."
So Gale actually wrote and pitched a sequel miniseries to Dead Poets Society. I desperately would have liked to watch that show.
Okay, aptly dropping a DBZ metaphor is definitely Cool Dad points ✌️
Hama hama ha!
Robin Williams was a gift to the world
It was a devastating day when he passed
OOOOOOO, I have such a visceral reaction to people hurting kids as "discipline".
I think I will need a lot of tissues to watch this one. It is going to touch a lot of things of my upbringing.
Stay safe my friend, but yes, it's an amazing film. 💜 Remember to take breaks if needed!
Okokok I’ll watch the film
Jono had such an interesting take on this. I hadn’t ever gotten the “Progress, but measured” take on it, but I can’t not see it now.
Totally agree with Gale here, as someone who's bisexual, I wholeheartedly agree that a lot of LGBTQIA+ folks really identify with the movie, myself included
Now I really need to watch this one.
My internet connection sucks And the video froze. I'll have to finish watching this later. But I wanted to thank you all so much for a wonderful experience here!! You are great 😊.
Thanks Terpsichore! We’ll miss you for the rest of it.
We teach to intellect ignoring instinct.
Intelligence is reading facts and figures; wisdom is reading the room.
We don't question, we don't pop the bubble.... I love it!
Gale is such a a delight
We all need a barbaric yawp!
The dizzying camera work is SO good for feeling the kid's disorientation. I love that choice!
That scene looks like a dance
That Peter Weir guy… knows how to make a movie.
This entire section is not in the YouTube cut. Enjoy!
Seale may actually be the GOAT. What a talent.
People who regularly read fiction score SIGNIFICANTLY higher in empathy. Literally the most important thing in the world. Empathy saves lives, saves environments, saves ourselves.
At some point, can you share with us where the information comes from? (I tend to print things I consider I can use later and this is one of it)
I love Gale walking through all the actor process stuff like it’s totally blasé. He REALLY put in work. I’ve studied and read for years, and he just blasts through it as a 26 yr-old.
Just started, so I’m behind the rest of you, but still here!
Honestly though, I always love watching Robin perform, especially in this movie. Like I know I'm preaching to the choir here but there's such a earnestness to it and it really is magical
I get the feeling that he genuinely felt a lot of the lovely things he said in the role, too.
EGG ON MY FACE!
More embarrassment, just for our patrons!
Oh, that's amazing to hear what it's like to work with Robin. How magical.
I had to know!
Poetry is underrated. Robin Williams is amazing as always
I love Lord of the Flies
Not to yuck in your yum, but… Love Lord of the Flies?
Like A Lord of the Flies moment...
Omg I read Jono's mind! 😅
I didn’t push back against Gale on this “Charlie doesn’t have a story arc” bit. But I actually disagree (with the guy who played the character.) Jono covers it diplomatically here.
I don't think any of you guys would invite someone that doesn't have something important and interesting to say about the movie... Especially an actor.
You want more Alan talking filmmaking? You GOT it. Patreon!
Eeeexcellent, Smithers.
I am home for a drop!! Super fun!
I'm not! But actually remembered this one!
This is one of our more epic directors cuts
Yeah, we go LONG on this one. Lots of fun insider stuff.
Gale actually hadn’t heard of us until we reached out (through a friend) but after he heard about the show, he binged like, 20 episodes and emailed me with loads of thoughts and quotes. It was a truly weird experience for me.
I don't blame him! I binged 5 episodes (during my work hours) when I found you guys.
Oh I love this movie!!
Confesinf that I have never watched this movie.... And I had always wanted to. *Gulp*
It's ok. I'm with you!
Paul is hysterical
Oh Alan... I miss Robin every day. He's a legend.
Robin Williams is my Roman Empire.
Gale was SO GREAT everyone! I’m so stoked for you to see this.
I just rewatched this weekend in anticipation
Wassup? This is johno on the official CT account
Wow haven’t see Dead Poets society in ages. This should be great. I imagine I’ll be crying here at the end.
And in the middle. Hopefully we get you in the trailer!
Hey friends!
I'm excited to hear their thoughts on this! 💭
Ahoy!
OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN! I can't wait!
Oh, COOL 🥰
Squeeeeeeeeeeeeee! ::deep breath:: Squeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Definitely looking forward to this one!