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The Dresser

Play trailer Poster for The Dresser PG 1983 1h 58m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 15 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

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 10/23/2004
4/4
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. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com 11/16/2024
4/5
…nominated for five Oscars in its day, The Dresser is something of a forgotten movie; Albert Finney’s majestic performance evoking the spirit of Donald Wolfit makes it well worth seeking out… Go to Full Review Quentin Crisp Christopher Street 05/06/2024
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. Go to Full Review Kat Halstead Common Sense Media 01/20/2021
4/5
Oscar-nominated British drama has drinking, iffy language. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 03/08/2011
B
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. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 10/28/2008
B-
The showbiz drama should be especially appealing to theater lovers. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Scott R @ScottR Dec 5 NYT 1000 films. Even if the film was unnerving with its anxiety and brooding, it is a fete to be acknowledged and respected. The acting all around is superb and the plot unique; taking on the uncertainty of WW2 based around a once famous actor who is in the sunsetting of his career. Finney was superb, as was his counterpart. Saw on YouTube. See more Leaburn O Feb 12 The acting and drama are high quality but I just found it uninteresting. There were some good moments interspersed within the stretches of tedium. Watched on DVD. See more Brett C @Harvey658 12/15/2023 So very very Beautiful ❤️ See more 12/08/2023 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. See more lawrenceb56 11/21/2023 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. See more Alec B 11/10/2023 This may be the definitive film about the relationship between actors and the people behind the scenes. See more Read all reviews
The Dresser

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Cast & Crew

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Peter Yates

Director

Albert Finney

Sir

Tom Courtenay

Norman

Edward Fox

Oxenby

Zena Walker

Her Ladyship

Eileen Atkins

Madge

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The Dresser

The Dresser (1983) The Dresser (1983) The Dresser (1983) View more photos

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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