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The Dresser Details

1983 Certificate PG
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 793 members

THE DRESSER is Peter Yates' intriguing look behind the scenes of a touring stage company in war-torn England, based on Ronald Harwood's play. Albert Finney stars as Sir, the ageing manager and lead actor of the troupe who begins to come undone from the pressure of touring in bombed-ravaged England. The lines between reality and .. Read more

Starring Albert Finney, Tom Courtenay, Edward Fox, Zena Walker
Director Peter Yates
Genres Drama

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The Dresser cover art

The Dresser

THE DRESSER is Peter Yates' intriguing look behind the scenes of a touring stage company in war-torn England, based on Ronald Harwood's play. Albert Finney stars as Sir, the ageing manager and lead actor of the troupe who begins to come undone from the pressure of touring in bombed-ravaged England. The lines between reality and drama begin to fade, leading Sir into melodramatic ramblings, soothed only by the aid of his devoted dresser, Norman (Tom Courtenay). Norman is part lover, brother, mother, and whipping boy to Sir's mercurial moods, coaxing the egocentric actor through the necessary dressing-room preparations as he readies himself for his 227th performance of KING LEAR. Norman is the backstage glue that binds the troupe of eccentric actors together, calming bruised egos and demanding respect for their ageing and slightly delusional leader. In true theatrical form the show must go on, as the bombs continue to fall Sir leads his troupe through another command performance of Shakespeare's tragedy. This beautifully filmed love letter to the theatre is a must for anyone who enjoys fine drama. The film features an outstanding ensemble cast, especially Tom Courtenay, who is a revelation as Norman, giving a deeply inspired and heartfelt performance.

Starring Albert Finney, Tom Courtenay, Edward Fox, Zena Walker, Eileen Atkins, Michael Gough, Cathryn Harrison
Director Peter Yates
Studio SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time DVD: 1 hr 53 mins
Certificate Certificate PG
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Dubbed German, Spanish
Subtitles DVD: Arabic, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Greek, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish
Released DVD: 24 May 2004
Production year: 1983
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (3) of The Dresser

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  • 4 stars out of 5

    The inspiration for Ronald Harwood's play, on which this drama is based, came from his own experiences as dresser to Sir Donald Wolfit in the 1950s. Wolfit was an actor/manager of enormous girth and even greater eccentricity. To play the Wolfit character, Albert Finney borrowed from Laurence Olivier and Charles Laughton, creating a vivid composite of a man who had “flashes of greatness”. It's a huge performance, a gentleman's relish of gusto and gutturals. Getting Finney into his costumes is Tom Courtenay, giving another splendid performance: small-scale, seedy and obsequious. Acting is the subject and the reason to watch, and both Finney and Courtenay were rightly nominated for Oscars.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006
  • 3 stars out of 4

    A strained film, but a valuable record of a play based on the touring career of Donald Wolfit, whose dresser the author was.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of The Dresser

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  • 2 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 2 stars

    Just not my type of film....

    This may be a good film and may appeal to a lot of people - just not me. The acting overall is good - particularly Courtney. Finney was for me a little OTT, and that in essence is the whole problem with the film - because it deals with 'the wonderful world of theatre' it just comes over as a lovey-fest and you have very little sympathy for the characters or what happens to them. This started life as a play and is probably a lot better in the theatre - with a theatre audience who have a knowledge of King Lear and an appreciation of theatreland.

      • Hurdle Ma Gurdle from Glasgow
      • Posted 25 Jan 2005 09:53

  • Most recent members' review of The Dresser

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  • 2 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Enjoyable film

    This was an enjoyable film about the eccentric characters in a travelling theatre company in wartime Britain. Would recommend.

      • Loxie from London
      • Posted 08 Jan 2005 14:46

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Rating breakdown

793 Member ratings
  • 100
92
  • 90
80
  • 80
172
  • 70
142
  • 60
113
  • 50
73
  • 40
48
  • 30
31
  • 20
33
  • 10
9

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      • THE DRESSER is Peter Yates' intriguing look behind the scenes of a touring stage company in war-torn England, based on Ronald Harwood's play. Albert Finney stars as Sir, the ageing manager and lead ...