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The Dresser

PG Released Dec 6, 1983 1h 58m Comedy Drama List
100% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
During World War II, an embittered actor known to others as Sir (Albert Finney) is well past his prime. Formerly a renowned performer, Sir must now settle for leading a shoddy troupe of aged actors and army rejects in performances of Shakespeare's greatest plays. His anxiety, regret and age begin to get the better of him, and his work starts to suffer. Only Norman (Tom Courtenay), a timid set dresser who is unfailingly devoted to Sir, can hold the show together as it threatens to collapse.
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The Dresser

Critics Reviews

View All (16) Critics Reviews
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times This is the best sort of drama, fascinating us on the surface with color and humor and esoteric detail, and then revealing the truth underneath. Rated: 4/4 Oct 23, 2004 Full Review Quentin Crisp Christopher Street Outside of documentaries made at the time, I have never seen a picture that creates in such detail the bleakness of England during the Second World War. May 6, 2024 Full Review Kat Halstead Common Sense Media Oscar-nominated British drama has drinking, iffy language. Rated: 4/5 Jan 20, 2021 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Superb, Oscar-nominated performannces by Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay make this play-to-screen melodrama about backstage theater life in WWII England quite enjoyable. Rated: B Mar 8, 2011 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews The showbiz drama should be especially appealing to theater lovers. Rated: B- Oct 28, 2008 Full Review Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com Rated: 4/5 Nov 6, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (90) audience reviews
Brett C So very very Beautiful ❤️ Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Great for theater lovers and acting majors but it wasn’t for me. I’ll admit though the late Albert Finney gives an excellent performance. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 12/08/23 Full Review lawrenceb56 Brilliant and under appreciated at the same time. Albert Finney, Tom Courtneay and a first rate ensemble. A gift for anyone who loves the theatre and especially for all of those who truly have the artists heart and a love of Shakespeare. Sad, but funny--painful at times but ultimately uplifting. Should always be remembered as a terrific thoughtful film at a time when terrific and thoughtful films were actually being made. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/21/23 Full Review Alec B This may be the definitive film about the relationship between actors and the people behind the scenes. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/10/23 Full Review Shioka O Over the top performance by the two leads. Drama of drama, interesting to see the glimpse of the backstage in UK theatre industry during WWII. I would be more enjoyed if I were into Shakespeare. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Between 3 and 3.5 stars. While 2015 version is more a tour-de-force between 2 great actors, this is more the description of the effort of the inner core of a company not to fall though the surrounding circumstances. Tom Courtenay is particullarly apoteosic. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Dresser

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis During World War II, an embittered actor known to others as Sir (Albert Finney) is well past his prime. Formerly a renowned performer, Sir must now settle for leading a shoddy troupe of aged actors and army rejects in performances of Shakespeare's greatest plays. His anxiety, regret and age begin to get the better of him, and his work starts to suffer. Only Norman (Tom Courtenay), a timid set dresser who is unfailingly devoted to Sir, can hold the show together as it threatens to collapse.
Director
Peter Yates
Producer
Peter Yates
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation, Goldcrest Films International
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 6, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 25, 2010
Runtime
1h 58m
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