Mrs Henderson Presents/Separate Lies/Girl With A Pearl Earring (Box Set)

Advantages: great film
Disadvantages: n/a

...I caught this film on telly one night as the only reason this film jumped out at me originally was because Will Young is in it, as I think he has a great voice and after winning pop Idol he deserves it, he makes an appealing debut as Bertie the male lead on stage. This film is based on a true story. This film is based in World War II; Mrs Henderson is played by Dame Judi Dench, who after her husband passes away buys The Windmill Theatre along with the help of Mr Vivian Van Dam played by Bob Hoskins whom becomes her business partner. The Germans are bombing London, but the roar of the Windmill is all that can be heard as Mrs Henderson gives the soldiers going to war something they will never forget. Mrs Henderson then seeks permission for the girls to go on stage naked with little covering their modesty, which in this time... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: A clever combination of wit, historical drama and music hall.
Disadvantages: Too laid-back

...British eccentricity has long been celebrated. The British Festival of 1951, even had a section dedicated to it entitled "British Eccentricity and wit". "Mrs Henderson presents" is a film that exemplifies this celebration. Like many other contemporary films, it is hard to classify the film into one genre: fitting into many. It is a comedy (with many witty one liners superb delivered combined with some colourful visual comedy); a musical (with many old vaudeville songs resurrected); an historical period costume drama, (set in 1930s - '40s London); a love story (between the sparring Mrs Henderson's unrequited love for Van Damm exudes together with a subplot of one of the Windmill girl's love for a soldier); but most of all it is a biopic (of the notorious founder of the Windmill Theatre, Laura Henderson and of the Windmill itself... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: A colourful cheeky little film about the history of a London theatre.
Disadvantages: Nothing dramatic or outstandingly fantastic!

..., and they begin to lose money when audiences flag. Mrs Henderson suggests boldly "We've had some good shows, but they're not daring enough. Let's get rid of the clothes". as they do in the more liberated capitals of the world, such as Paris. However the licensing regulations stipulate that the only acceptable way to get round the 'red tape' would be for the naked girls to pose without moving at all, while the dressed members of the cast perform the songs and dances. Artistic 'tableau's' are featured tastefully in discrete lighting, and this brings new wealth into the theatre. The story continues into the 1940s with war breaking out, and we see the way audiences change, the fashion and make up changes, and in turn the shows change. The theatre has non-stop shows five times a day, and prides itself on the fact that it never closed. Being below... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful