Tom Brown’s Schooldays Synopsis
Tom Brown’s Schooldays is the classical television adaptation of the timeless Thomas Hughes’ novel. Starring Stephen Fry as the progressive and inspirational headmaster Dr Arnold, the quintessentially English costume-drama tells the story of one boy’s extraordinary account of life at Rugby School in the nineteenth century.
Set against the authentic backdrop of the exclusive public school, Tom Brown (Alex Pettyfer) begins his fight for survival amongst the school’s unruly and out-of-control pupils. The moving story follows the lasting friendships Tom makes with the ever faithful East, the cheeky Tadpole, the dutiful head of house Frobisher, prefect Huband, and his bond with tragic underdog Arthur. Despite these powerful unions, the youngsters live under the constant threat of some of the older boys including literature’s most notorious and sadistic child creation, Flashman (Joseph Beattie).
When Dr Arnold takes over as the new headmaster of Rugby, he inherits a school where, at night, mob-rule prevails and unkempt youngsters are left to co-exist behind locked doors, without adult-supervision, guidance or rules. Despite the fierce objections of his staff and resistance from older pupils, Arnold embarks on a programme of radical reforms and gradually builds the boys’ trust and respect.