Monday's premiere was held in aid of the Prince's Trust

Richard Griffiths and the rest of the film's cast flew in from New York to attend, hours after completing the stage version's Tony award-winning run.

"It was emotional," said actor James Corden. "It was the last time that we'll work together as a unit."

Directed by Nicholas Hytner, the film opens in the UK on 13 October.

Another production of the play is currently touring the UK and will open in London's West End in December.

Set in Sheffield in the 1980s, The History Boys tells the story of a group of grammar school students studying for their Oxbridge entrance exams.

'Never boring'

Griffiths plays Hector, a doting teacher whose affection for the boys goes beyond the strictly professional.

The actor attributed the success of the play - which won six Tony awards earlier this year - to the fact that it is "never boring".

Griffiths recreates his stage role as schoolmaster Hector

"You can just laugh at the jokes or go along with the songs and think nothing of it," he said.

"A bit later on you realise that you are in a situation where you understand these people and you know what they are feeling."

Since opening at the National Theatre in London in 2004, the original cast have recreated their roles in Hong Kong, New Zealand, New York's Broadway and on film.

"The ability to trust your fellows is enormously powerful and important on screen and on stage," said Griffiths.