The structure here is as expected with the conflict between teacher and student finding resolution on a path of respect and love, but the change-up here is with the addition of a female teacher (played by Greer Garson). It's a story that could easily be updated and remade for new American audiences, although the argument could be made that Scent of a Woman was already an unofficial adaptation of sorts so never mind. Bullying is a real issue, and private schools have long proven to be a hotbed for the barbarity of youth.
Thomas Hughes' source novel was first published in 1857 and has been adapted for the screen several times - twice for television and three times for the movies - and its core themes and plot remain every bit as relevant today. It's an extremely well-crafted and smart morality tale. The ruffians aren't fooling around as they abuse, berate, and even burn young Tom, but his actions spark a rebellion resulting in a terrific montage of kids turning the tables on the bullies with orchestrated pranks and attacks. The new headmaster wants to squash it out of his school, but while most kids just go along with it (whether it's happening to them or others) it takes Tom stepping up to bring it all down. Friendship, honor, and respect are the threads running through this classic tale, but all of them are wrapped around a main narrative involving bullying.
