Movies about high school come and go, and they’re usually pretty raunchy. But there is one that perseveres with its touching storyline, important message and famed motto, “Carpe Diem,’’ or “Seize the Day.’’ 1989’s Dead Poets Society follows a fictional boarding school where boys (including Ethan Hawke and Josh Charles) learn about the nitty gritty of real life from their English teacher ( Robin Williams).

The Disney classic has been digitally restored and presented for the first time in Blu-ray High Definition, and we spoke to Kurtwood Smith, who played Mr. Perry, the strict, disapproving father of drama student Robert Sean Leonard, who meets a tragic end. The Wisconsin native, 68, has also been seen in a number of films and television shows, namely 24 and That ’70s Show. Here’s what Smith had to say:

Were you expecting to be doing press for this movie after all this time?

I wasn’t, but it’s a movie I’m proud to have been in, and I’m always happy to see that it’s still playing in English classes. I think it’s a beautiful movie with great cinematography that can still be appreciated today. I liked the script overall, and I was really happy to be working with [director] Peter Weir. I was an admirer of his even then.

When you were approached for the role, were you hesitant to be cast as the bad guy?

It was the one thing we were aware of. But Disney [executives] were pretty strong in their urging that my character maintained some of the weight because the story needed a protagonist, a purposeful villain. Most people wouldn’t argue that despite what Mr. Perry does, he loves his son. He just doesn’t know how to be effective with his love. It’s really unfortunate, but he wants what he wants.

A lot of the young cast has gone on to do interesting things. Do you keep in touch at all?

I did an episode of House a few years ago, and though I didn’t have any scenes with Robert we did get to talk quite a bit. I run into him at functions and saw him on Broadway. He’s a wonderful young man with deserved success and the more serious actor. Ethan was probably the bigger personality and real presence. He started exploding all over the place. I haven’t seen Josh for some time, but he also has done quite well with himself on The Good Wife.

What was the shoot in Delaware like?

All the boys were on the same floor of the hotel. They had them corralled. It was like a zoo. The rest of us didn’t bother going up there. Some scenes were tougher than others, obviously. I remember one when I was supposed to be sleeping in my bedroom and I was so tired I actually fell asleep. The next thing I heard was Peter saying, ‘OK, next time let’s do this take awake.’ I thought, ‘I’m supposed to be sleeping and I fall asleep. It’s not good enough for him!’ [Laughs].

What about Robin Williams?

I knew Robin before Dead Poets Society. I did theater with him in Marin County back in the ’70s. I recently saw him in New York in a play, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, and caught up with him a little bit. He’s a really sweet, wonderful guy. I have a lot of respect for him. He’s every talented man as he’s shown over the years in all regards.

You worked with Ashton Kutcher on “That ’70s Show’’ for a number of years. Do you watch him on “Two and a Half Men’’ now?

I think he’s doing great. When I first heard he was going to be in [ Men], I thought, ‘What?’ But after about a second, I saw it was perfect. What a great choice. Smart for him, smart for the show. We always got along well, everybody did on the set. He’s a super smart young guy and always has been. He was always working on his career in a larger sense so his success isn’t surprising.

Madeleine Marr