死亡诗社剧本INN ACADEMY HALLWAY - DAY A young boy, dressed in a school uniform and cap, fidgets as his mother adjusts his tie. MOTHER Now remember, keep your shoulders back. A student opens up a case and removes a set of bagpipes. The young boy and his brother line up for a photograph PHOTOGRAPHER Okay, put your arm around your brother. That's it. And breathe in. The young boy blinks as the flash goes off. PHOTOGRAPHR Okay, one more. An old man lights a single candle. A teacher goes over the old man's duties. TEACHER Now just to review, you're going to follow along the procession until you get to the headmaster. At that point he will indicate to you to light the candles of the boys. MAN All right boys, let's settle down. The various boys, including NEIL, KNOX, and CAMERON, line up holding banners. Ahead of them is the old man, followed by the boy with the bagpipes with the two youngest boys at the front. MAN Banners up. The boys hoist the banners and the bagpipes begin to play loudly. The small group marches out of the room and down a set of stairs into a church. The pews are filled with students and parents while the teachers, all dressed in robes, are seated at the front of the church behind the headmaster. The boys break off to either side at the front of the church. The bagpipes cease and the headmaster, MR. NOLAN, walks over to the old man carrying the candle. MR NOLAN Ladies and gentlemen, boys, the light of knowledge. An organ begins to play as the old man goes forward with shaking hands to the young boys in the front pew. Each boy is holding a candle and he bends over to light the first one. Each boy in turn lights the candle of the boy next to him. MR NOLAN One hundred years ago, in 1859, 41 boys sat in this room and were asked the same question that greets you at the start of each semester. Gentlemen, what are the four pillars? All throughout the pews, uniformed boys rise to their feet. TODD, who is not wearing a uniform, is urged by his father to stand with them. BOYS Tradition, honor, discipline, excellence. The boys quickly return to their seats. MR NOLAN In her first year, Welton Academy graduated five students. Last year we graduated fifty-one. And more than seventy-five percent of those went on to the Ivy League. This, this kind of accomplishment is the result of fervent dedication to the principles taught here. This is why you parents have been sending us your sons. This is why we are the best preparatory school in the United States. Mr. Nolan soaks up the applause from the audience. MR NOLAN As you know, our beloved Mr. Portius of the English department retired last term. You will have the opportunity later to meet his replacement, Mr. John Keating, himself a graduate of this school. And who, for the past several years, has been teaching at the highly regarded Chester School in London. The crowd applauds once again. EXT. SCHOOL GROUNDS - DAY The school lawn is a filled with luggage, students, and parents mulling about in every direction. INT CHURCH ENTRANCE - DAY Mr Nolan stands by the entrance, speaking with each family as they leave. MR NOLAN Glad you could come by. MR ANDERSON Thrilling ceremony as usual Dr. Nolan. MR NOLAN You've been away too long. MRS ANDERSON Hello Dr. Nolan. MR NOLAN Good to have you back. MRS ANDERSON This is our youngest, Todd. MR NOLAN Mr. Anderson.You have some big shoes to fill, young man. Your brother was one of our finest. TODD Thank you. Todd and his parents leave while others file past Mr. Nolan. WOMAN Lovely ceremony. MR NOLAN Thank you. So glad you liked it. MR PERRY approaches with his son Neil. He shakes Mr. Nolan's hand. MR PERRY Gale MR NOLAN Tom MR PERRY Good to see you again. NEIL Hello Mr. Nolan. MR NOLAN Neil. We expect great things from you this year. NEIL Thank you, sir. MR PERRY Well he won't disappoint us. Right Neil? NEIL I'll do my best sir. EXT SCHOOL GROUNDS - DAY A bell tolls. Parents begin wishing their boys farewell. FATHER Hey, come on son. MOTHER Chin up. FATHER No tears now. BOY Okay. MOTHER Chin up. Another boy hugs his mother. BOY I don't want to go here. 。