---
title: "The History Boys: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-history-boys/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-history-boys"
critics_score: 65
critics_reviews: 10
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# The History Boys (2006): what the critics said

Critics' score 65 from 10 reviews: 4 positive, 4 mixed, 2 negative.

## The AV Club — Nathan Rabin

Rating A-. 14 December 2006. 

Rabin finds the film clever and deeply sad, with its heartbreak earned rather than sentimental. He singles out the classroom’s dazzling verbal sparring and a student’s poignant song for praise.

[Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-history-boys-1798202275)

## Radio Times — Adam Smith

Rating 4/5. 

The review says the stage play makes an efficient transition to the screen. It praises Alan Bennett’s screenplay for its wit and intellect.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-ikfik2/)

## The New York Times — A.O. Scott

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 21 November 2006. 

The review is broadly positive about the film. The article text is unavailable, so its specific praise cannot be verified.

[Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/21/movies/21hist.html?mcubz=1)

## Time Out — Dave Calhoun

Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 10 October 2006. 

The available description suggests the review sees something of Joe Orton in the play. It notes the screen transfer retains the original director, but the full verdict is unavailable.

[Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-history-boys)

## Screen Daily — Geoffrey Macnab

Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 11 October 2006. 

The page identifies this as a review, but the critic’s verdict is unavailable in the accessible text. No praise or complaint can be confirmed from the paywall shell.

[Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/the-history-boys/4029077.article)

## Slant Magazine — Jason Clark

Rating 2.5/4. 31 October 2006. 

Clark finds the adaptation holds up despite uneven direction, with Bennett’s writing and the performances carrying it. He particularly praises Stephen Campbell Moore’s richly detailed portrayal, while criticizing the perfunctory montages and inconsistent tone.

[Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-history-boys/)

## Empire — Ian Nathan

Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 29 September 2006. 

Nathan finds the film’s theatrical origins too formal to fully translate to cinema, though Bennett’s writing and Hytner’s direction give it real quality. He especially praises the mature actors’ richly lived-in portrayals of the teachers.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/history-boys-review/)

## Variety — Leslie Felperin

Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 11 October 2006. 

Felperin finds the adaptation stagy and dramatically ineffective, though it may please fans of the play. She praises Richard Griffiths and Frances de la Tour for making their monologues shine.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/2006/film/awards/the-history-boys-1200512750/)

## Digital Spy — Daniel Saney

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 14 October 2006. 

The review finds the film witty and poignant, and well worth bringing to cinema audiences. It praises the cast’s performances, especially Richard Griffiths as Hector.

[Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a38036/the-history-boys/)

## Eye for Film — Moominkat

Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 1 October 2006. 

The critic finds the film competent but flat, and less engaging than its source play. They praise the performances of Frances de la Tour and Richard Griffiths.

[Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-history-boys-film-review-by-moominkat)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-history-boys.md