Poster Analysis- 'The History Boys'

Genre Conventions Research: The History Boys

Here we see a poster made for the film History Boys, which depicts a group of young teenage boys with a old-fashioned looking teacher. What makes this poster effective is that it is possible for the viewer to identify the different group dynamics by looking at how the boys are placed. The boy character that is placed in the front with a old teacher can be viewed as being separated from the rest, like he is at the top of the class. In addition his uniform is correctly worn, denoting that he is again a good student and his stance is that of a confident character, suggesting that he does not feel isolated from the other boys.

Whilst the group itself can be considered as a stereotype, each character in the group is given his own individual personality and this is reflected through how they wear their uniform, given some take a more relaxed approach and others look smarter. We can see particular male character place in the centre of the boys and he gives off a cool, smart and cocky persona and gives the indication that he is a main character. His positioning gives him high status as they appears to be two other boys surrounding him almost like sidekicks giving the film a very juvenile feel.

This is contrasted with the large archetypal building in the background which connotes a very formal and old-fashioned academic institution. The building associates with such high standing schools as Oxford, so therefore the viewer may feel that the boys appearance highly differs with the schools, may be trying to break away from the stereotype view that life is boring and dull in such schools.

In terms of sexuality it can be said that the film embraces masculinity and could be suggested that the building represents phallic symbols and due to the lack of women highlights the view that men embody/make up history. Finally due the age of the boys it is self-evident that the film has been predominantly aimed at teenagers, as the ages of the boys are similar to the target audience.

The bold green font used connotes to the viewer that the film will be humorous and the caption at the bottom 'History is just one bloody thing after another" again gives suggestion that the film doesn't take itself too seriously. The poster also conforms to the conventions of poster layouts because it is very easy to determine who the main characters are. For example, the boys are all dressed in a similar fashion to one another, connoting a sense of collective identity, and they are positioned in the foreground of the school building, which is in the background, therefore connoting a sense of academia. Also, the teacher standing to the right, while he is dressed in different colours from the boys, it is obvious that they are taught by him considering that he is in close proximity towards them, almost connoting a sense of responsibility and a father-like role.