Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Albert Finney, Tom Courtenay, Edward Fox, Zena Walker, Eileen Atkins ... see more see more... , Michael Gough , Cathryn Harrison , Betty Marsden , Sheila Reid , Lockwood West , Christopher Atkins , Joe Belcher , Donald Eccles , Paul Luty , Llewellyn Rees , Stuart Richman , John Sharp , Kevin Stoney , Ann Way , Guy Manning , Kathy Staff , Alan Starkey , Roger Avon

The complicated relationship of two men who have given their lives to the theater forms the basis for this acclaimed drama. During World War II, an aging but once famous Shakespearean actor, addressed... read more read more... by his cast and crew only as "Sir" (Albert Finney), continues to tour the British theater circuit with a rag tag group of elderly and handicapped actors who are exempt from military service. Sir has grown frustrated, senile, and is on the verge of a nervous breakdown; he's come to rely upon his dresser Norman (Tom Courtenay), an endlessly loyal homosexual who would do anything for the man he's come to love. Norman tries to guide Sir through yet another tour of the hinterlands in The Tempest. This expanded film adaptation of Ronald Harwood's award-winning stage drama also stars Edward Fox as Oxenby, an unhappy member of Sir's company; Sir was said to be based on real-life actor Donald Wolfit. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

81% liked it

1,565 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

14 critics

PG, 1 hr. 59 min.

Directed by: Peter Yates

Release Date: December 6, 1983

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: April 6, 2004

Get It:

Stats: 97 reviews

Your Rating



clear rating

Flixster Reviews (97)


  • May 24, 2009
    Impressive & fun with exciting parallels & good perfs, pity it's overlooked
  • September 4, 2008
    Captivating,a truly unknown film investigating and studying the behind-the-scenes of the theater and their comical/versatile characters.Striking environmental observance and Yates creates his last grand film before his downfall.And Finney/Courtney give the BEST dual performance o... read moref '83.
  • July 29, 2010
    What a powerful movie. Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay turn in brilliant performances, creating characters who have layers beneath layers beneath layers. As a theater person, I was drawn completely into the story - but even for those not particularly interested in the theater, th... read moreis is well worth checking out.

Critic Reviews


Emanuel Levy
March 8, 2011
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. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
October 28, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

The showbiz drama should be especially appealing to theater lovers. Full Review

Steve Crum
January 3, 2005
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Fascinating character study with standout turns by Finney and Courtenay.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
July 23, 2003
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Gives a wonderful behind-the-scenes look at the theatre business Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Cole Smithey
November 6, 2005
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

No review available.

Chuck O'Leary
October 10, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

No review available.

Michael Szymanski
September 21, 2005
Michael Szymanski, Zap2it.com

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • All About Eve
    All About Eve (100%)

Facts


No facts approved yet. Be the first

The Dresser : Watch Free on TV


The Dresser Trivia


  • In the movie 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU Kat Stratford (Julia Stiles} what color underwear did her sister bianca find in her dresser?   Answer »
  • in the movie grandmas boy where was the drugs at the the grandmother found for her tea?  Answer »
  • How did Phileas Fogg find out that "Passport 2" (Jackie Chan) was at home in China?  Answer »
  • Where did Hagrid (from Harry Potter) put his dad when he was mad at him?????  Answer »

Movie Quizzes


No quizzes for The Dresser. Want to create one?

Video Clips


No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Recent News


No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists


Most Popular Skin


No skins yet. Interested in creating one?