Victoria & Abdul

PG-13

Released Oct 6, 2017

1 hr. 50 min.

History

Drama

Biography

TRAILER

for Victoria and Abdul: Trailer 1

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66%

198 Reviews

Tomatometer

68%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Abdul Karim arrives from India to participate in Queen Victoria's golden jubilee. The young clerk is surprised to find favor with the queen herself. As Victoria questions the constrictions of her long-held position, the two forge an unlikely and devoted alliance that her household and inner circle try to destroy. As their friendship deepens, the queen begins to see a changing world through new eyes, joyfully reclaiming her humanity.

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Critics Consensus

Victoria & Abdul reunites Dame Judi Dench with the role of Queen Victoria -- which is all this period drama needs to overcome its imbalanced narrative.

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Felix Anthony L

The story showcases a friendship that was ahead of its time - unbiased, transcends generational, religious and cultural differences. Victoria and Abdul shares the idea of openness and kindness in friendships where an age difference is not a hindrance, rather the focus is on curiosity, appreciation and acceptance. Although some aspects of the movie may have been fictionalised to enhance the story, the emotional roller coaster and sparks of comedy is on point.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/17/24

Full Review

Julian P

You cant ask for anything more in a movie. True story (mostly), touching and actually hilarious. Brilliantly written and the costumes / sets are incredibly. And then there is Judy Dench....enough said.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/10/24

Full Review

Savannah G

Judi Dench is clearly one of the best actors of our time and has been able to play these roles with such grace and talent. Great story the costume was good! and the gravataze of it all really brought it home for me

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/18/23

Full Review

Shail F

I only liked Mohammed.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/05/23

Full Review

isla s

I really enjoyed this film, with Judi Dench playing the titular queen, being very self assured and deciding to do things that surprise and astound other members of the royal household staff, much to my amusement. Meanwhile, Ali Fazal plays Abdul - someone who seems rather humble and initially is less than impressed at the prospect of having to travel, to present the queen with a coin at an official ceremony. I thought it was charming how the friendship between the two of them developed, seeing the curiosity and interest in the queen towards learning more about Abduls culture, the food and teachings of India etc. There is some pretty good cinematography, with various landscape panoramas shown during the characters travels, both within and outwith the UK. The pure lavishness of their surroundings is something to see, if nothing else. Cast wise, I also liked Eddie Izzard, who plays Bertie, Prince of Wales - he doesn't think a great deal of the new found friendship Victoria finds. I also found it amusing when Puccini (played by Simon Callow) was present. I believe this film is based on a true story, which made it all the more interesting to me and I know I really enjoyed another similar film, which also stars Judi Dench as Queen Victoria. A film called Mrs Brown, in which Billy Connolly plays John Brown. Coincidentally, Brown is referenced in this film. I do think Judi Dench does do particularly well at portraying the forthright queen. Of course there is undoubtedly a racist element, with the indian colonisation side of things - there are some cringe-y moments with members of royal household staff making some very unfair judgements and rude comments, somewhat unsurprisingly given the circumstances of the plot. Watching it, I felt more keen on queen Victoria for how she responded - I'll say no more so as not to provide any spoilers. I would very much recommend this film as a period drama which is based on a true story, yes.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The greatest 01 hour: and 50 minutes based on a real person!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Judy Dench as Queen Victoria!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

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Stephen Frears

Director

Judi Dench

Queen Victoria

Ali Fazal

Abdul Karim

Michael Gambon

Lord Salisbury

Olivia Williams

Lady Churchill

Suzy Eddie Izzard

Bertie, Prince of Wales

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Victoria & Abdul: Official Clip - Absolutely No Eye Contact

1:42

Victoria & Abdul: Official Clip - I Will Accept Your Resignations

2:17

Victoria & Abdul: Official Clip - The Banquet Hall of Eternity

2:55

Victoria & Abdul: Official Clip - The Queen's Munshi

3:21

Victoria & Abdul: Official Clip - Anything But Insane

3:07

Victoria & Abdul: Official Clip - Life Is Like a Carpet

2:33

Victoria & Abdul: Official Clip - The Queen's Song

2:32

Victoria & Abdul: Official Clip - I Will Be Courteous

3:33

Victoria & Abdul: Official Clip - I Am the Sultan of Persia

3:02

Victoria & Abdul: Official Clip - You Really Are Beautiful

2:49

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Victoria & Abdul: Behind the Scenes - B-Roll #2

5:36

Victoria & Abdul: Behind the Scenes - B-Roll 1

5:28

Victoria and Abdul: Trailer 1

2:24

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Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

Victoria & Abdul may capture the ugly side of Britain's colonial past, but its demeaning portrait of Abdul reinforces the Orientalism it purports to lampoon.

Rated: 2/4

Oct 13, 2017

Full Review

Max Weiss

Baltimore Magazine

It's hard not to like Victoria & Abdul-but it's all shiny surfaces. I can't help but to wonder how much deeper Frears might've dug into this rich material had he directed it 20 years ago.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 5, 2017

Full Review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

There's not a whole lot to Victoria & Abdul, but fans of stories about the royals should find their thirsts satisfied.

Rated: 2.5/5

Oct 5, 2017

Full Review

Hosea Rupprecht

Catholic News Service

An endearing historical drama...

Aug 12, 2021

Full Review

Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

If the recent film mother! was an attempt, as one writer suggested, "to shock its audiences out of complacency," Victoria & Abdul is an attempt to lull its audience into complacency.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 1, 2021

Full Review

Leigh Monson

Substream Magazine

Victoria and Abdul exposes itself as being just as shallow as the bigots it derides; the only difference is the purity of its intentions.

Rated: 2.5/5

Oct 1, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

Abdul Karim arrives from India to participate in Queen Victoria's golden jubilee. The young clerk is surprised to find favor with the queen herself. As Victoria questions the constrictions of her long-held position, the two forge an unlikely and devoted alliance that her household and inner circle try to destroy. As their friendship deepens, the queen begins to see a changing world through new eyes, joyfully reclaiming her humanity.

Director: Stephen Frears
Executive Producer: Lee Hall, Amelia Granger, Liza Chasin, Christine Langan, Joe Oppenheimer
Screenwriter: Lee Hall
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: BBC Films, Cross Street Films, Working Title Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Thematic Elements|Language)
Genre: History, Drama, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 6, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 5, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.2M
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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