This scene gives me chills every single time I watch it. I love that in a simple gesture, Todd shows Keating that his teaching worked. He steps up on the desk to "see the world differently," and he calls him "Captain," which Keating taught was Whitman's salutation to his fallen president - some pretty good foreshadowing there. One of the best movies ever.

Jack, excellent analysis. The "Captain" line as a callback. And the power of how that line is re-framed and given new meaning in the context of the moment. And since movies are primarily a visual medium, the emotional heft of seeing these boys standing up on their desks. Great stuff.

SPOILERS BELOW... Also Todd speaking out just has so much impact because throughout the entire movie he NEVER says what he wants to say. Neither does Neil (which is what killed him -- he had that moment where his dad said, "Tell me what you want!" and Neil just couldn't.). That moment in the classroom was Todd deciding not to live a life of silence and submission. Hard to believe that was Ethan Hawke!

I think an important addition to the movie was the shot of Neil's empty desk. I have a question regarding this exchange: TODD In the, in the, in the Pritchard? MR. NOLAN Kindly inform me, Mr. Cameron. Does anyone think that other writers would put in a small action line in the middle there, something that conveys Mr. Nolan's impatience? I'm afraid I might be guilty of writing such a line, not knowing enough theatre shorthand to trust the dialogue and the moment.