84 Charing Cross Road

PG

1987

1h 37m

Drama

List

86%

14 Reviews

Tomatometer

81%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

New York City bibliophile Helene Hanff (Anne Bancroft) writes to the London bookshop Marks & Co in search of some titles she has not been able to turn up locally. Store manager Frank Doel (Anthony Hopkins) responds politely to her chatty letter, and over the course of two decades, a deep, long-distance friendship evolves. Based on Hanff's epistolary memoir and its later two-person stage adaptation, the film version incorporates new characters, including Doel's wife, Nora (Judi Dench).

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Aug 01

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Rent 84 Charing Cross Road on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Steve D

I wish they gave the talent involved something to do.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I'm a huge bibliophile who has spent many happy hours in the sadly much depleted second hand book scene of Charring Cross Road. That said, I don't see the point in this movie beyond strangely underwhelming sentimentality. It's just showing correspondence between a few people across the Atlantic and that is literally it. It's not emotional, exciting, interesting. It's a nothing film.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Ken R

This film offers a superb screenplay adaptation of the play by James Roose-Evans, about a long-term real-life letter writing friendship between a NY Jewish writer & passionate book collector - with the manager and staff of an English second-hand specialist bookstore. Sounds bland and to action addicts, it will be - but to literary lovers and those who cherish stories dealing with strong human bonds, this could become a true favorite. It's a labor of love for the striking Anne Bancroft (as was "The Elephant Man" ‘80) whose husband bought the film rights to this book for her birthday. Anne is simply magnificent as the title character Helene Hanff, deserving all the praise and awards she received. Anthony Hopkins and Judy Dench give excellent support as Frank and Nora Doel, the bookstore manager, and his wife. Several fine British character actors give convincing life to the store's various staff, with all eventually corresponding between the enigmatic Helene. With food rations in place following the war – food parcels are also added to these much welcome exchanges. Direction, cinematography, locations, set design; all contribute to a deliberately paced, but richly rewarding movie experience. Certainly not for all tastes, and not to be watched when tired or wanting overt action but, should offer pure joy for sophisticated audiences and those with a love of classic books. And, of course, the luminous Ann Bancroft.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/02/21

Full Review

Audience Member

this is you've got mail but with letters & literature fans (oh wait, that was in you've got mail too lol oops), also we get to see what the heck judi dench looks like with long hair so I'm happy

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

s r

Good premise, just not a delivery that I enjoyed. Saw it on TCM.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

sanja s

A wonderful story and wonderful performances by the main cast. Just love it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

David Jones

Director

Anne Bancroft

Helene Hanff

Anthony Hopkins

Frank P. Doel

Judi Dench

Nora Doel

Jean De Baer

Maxine Stuart

Maurice Denham

George Martin

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

88%

75%

The Age of Innocence

TRAILER

for The Age of Innocence

45%

52%

The Karate Kid Part II

TRAILER

for The Karate Kid Part II

96%

90%

The Remains of the Day

94%

77%

The Dead

55%

57%

King Lear

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

The film has nothing to do with easy nostalgia; it's about real, credible people, and as such finally becomes very moving.

Jan 26, 2006

Full Review

Vincent Canby

New York Times

The result of this high-powered collaboration is a movie of such unrelieved genteelness that it makes one long to head for Schrafft's for a double-gin martini, straight up, and a stack of cinnamon toast from which the crusts have been removed.

Rated: 2.5/5

May 20, 2003

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

84 Charing Cross Road is a movie made for people who love London and books. The only problem is that the heroine doesn't get to London until it's too late, and nobody ever seems to read in this movie.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

"84 Charing Cross Road" is a valuable film for all of the right reasons of theatrical balance and narrative truth. It is a movie that hits you like a live play.

Rated: B+

Aug 30, 2017

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

This wonderful little gem is something of a critic-proof cult item in my house.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 10, 2007

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 5/5

Aug 4, 2005

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

New York City bibliophile Helene Hanff (Anne Bancroft) writes to the London bookshop Marks & Co in search of some titles she has not been able to turn up locally. Store manager Frank Doel (Anthony Hopkins) responds politely to her chatty letter, and over the course of two decades, a deep, long-distance friendship evolves. Based on Hanff's epistolary memoir and its later two-person stage adaptation, the film version incorporates new characters, including Doel's wife, Nora (Judi Dench).

Director: David Jones
Screenwriter: Hugh Whitemore
Production Co: Brooksfilms, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 20, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $572.7K
Runtime: 1h 37m

Most Popular at Home Now