The Dresser
Seen it?1983 | 118 min | Drama
Friday Night Flickearly ratingWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it collected a shelf of major awards. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 58 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG: peril. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
In a touring Shakespearean theater group, a backstage hand - the dresser - is devoted to the brilliant but tyrannical head of the company. He struggles to support the deteriorating star as the company struggles to carry on during the London Blitz. The pathos of his backstage efforts rival the pathos in the story of Lear and the Fool that is being presented on-stage, as the situation comes to a crisis.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
100% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsVery strong
Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. Won 1 Berlin award: Berlin International Film Festival: Best Actor. Also nominated for 4 Oscars, 3 more Golden Globes and 6 BAFTAs. Plus 2 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$5 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 39K people sought it out in the past year
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Cast & crew
Directed by Peter Yates
- Albert FinneySir
- Tom CourtenayNorman
- Edward FoxOxenby
- Zena WalkerHer Ladyship
- Eileen AtkinsMadge
- Michael GoughFrank Carrington
- Cathryn HarrisonIrene
- Betty MarsdenViolet Manning
- Sheila ReidLydia Gibson
- Lockwood WestGeoffrey Thornton