Production Year: 2005 - Comedy - Director: Stephen Frears - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Judi Dench, Bob Hoskins, Will Young, Christopher Guest, Thelma Barlow, Ricky Gervais more
uplifting entertainment ofMrs. Henderson Presents, a delightful comedy anchored by the flawless performances of Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins.After losing a son in World War...
uplifting entertainment ofMrs. Henderson Presents, a delightful comedy anchored by the flawless performances of Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins.After losing a son in World War...
Mrs Henderson Presents DVD
Nudity. Variety. High Society. Mrs. Laura Henderson (Judi Dench) may be a widow but she ... more
is by no means going to spend the rest her days playing bridge. The Windmill Theatre becomes her raison d'etre and the notorious showman Vivian Van Dam (Bob Hoskin...
Mrs. Henderson Presents
London, 1937. Mrs Laura Henderson, a woman of wealth and connections, has just buried her ... more
beloved husband. And now she's bored. Friends suggest she finds a hobby and to their amazement she buys the Windmill Theatre.Newly appointed manager, Vivian Van Damm, is shocked by the outrageous, provocative and eccentric Mrs Henderson. When business begins to fail she comes up with a new idea to get the crowds back - put naked girls on stage!But as the bombing of London begins, the government threatens to close the theatre. Mrs Henderson's fighting spirit is revealed - and so is the secret that drew her to buy the Windmill in the first place.Featuring an all-star British cast including Academy Award nominees Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins, Kelly Reilly and introducing Will Young.
sunshine - Ad Hoc Orchestra Revuedeville - Ad Hoc Orchestra (George Fenton) Persuading Tommy - Ad Hoc Orchestra Sweet Inspiration - Ad Hoc Orchestra (vocals by Camille O'Sullivan) Vivian Van Damm - Ad Hoc Orchestra Goody goody - Ad Hoc Orchestra (vocals by Camille O'Sullivan Will Young & Chorus) After the ball - Ad Hoc Orchestra A shilling for the hour - Ad Hoc Orchestra Joyride - Ad Hoc Orchestra The fall of France: La Marseillaise (vocals by Sir Thomas Allen) The blitz - Ad Hoc Orchestra Babies of the blitz - Ad Hoc Orchestra (vocals by The O'Brien Sisters) Blue nightfall - Ad Hoc Orchestra (vocals by Camille O'Sullivan) The girl in the fan - Ad Hoc Orchestra All the things you are - Ad Hoc Orchestra (vocals by Will Young) Elegy - Ad Hoc Orchestra The sails of the windmill - Ad Hoc Orchestra (vocals by Will Young) Girl in the little green hat - Ad Hoc Orchestra (vocals by Will Young)
Production Year: 2000 - Comedy - Director: David Raynr - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Shane West, Marla Sokoloff, James Franco, Colin Hanks, Christine Lakin, Aaron Paul
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Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
A review by little_red_hen on Mrs Henderson Presents (DVD) August 12th, 2006
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Liked it
Story
Good
Characters / Performances
Good
Special Effects
Standard
How does it compare to similar films?
Good
Advantages:
A colourful cheeky little film about the history of a London theatre .
Disadvantages:
Nothing dramatic or outstandingly fantastic !
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I have wanted to see this comedy/ drama since it came out earlier this year. I enjoy films with a musical thread, and the fact that it was about events that did actually occur interested me immensely. Therefore when I was given a chance to choose a film to rent I jumped at the chance to see this one.
THE STORY:
This is the true story of a wealthy widow, bored with the usual activities expected of respectable older ladies in London in the 1930s. After buying an old theatre (with much of its facilities underground) in London's Windmill Street near Piccadilly Circus, Mrs Laura Henderson employs staff to run it, in particular Mr Vivian Van Damm who is not intimidated by his new boss, he manages, writes and produces the variety shows for the theatre. At first it is a big success, but other theatres start to copy their ideas, 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 ground level, many of the girls move in, and stay there throughout the inevitable bombings.
MAIN CAST
Judi Dench - Mrs. Laura Henderson Bob Hoskins - Vivian Van Damm Will Young - Bertie Kelly Reilly - Maureen Christopher Guest - Lord Cromer Thelma Barlow - Lady Conway
THE MAIN CHARACTERS:
Mrs Laura Henderson - A recently widowed woman, who uses her money to invest in a London theatre. Naming it 'The Windmill' she wants to be involved in everything from the re-designing of the interior to the private lives of the theatres stars! We see this character form a volatile relationship with the theatre producer, yet although they clash, they do have a mutual respect for each other. Mrs Henderson reasons that a young man going to war should at least see a naked female form before he departs!
Laura Henderson - "I am bored with widowhood. I have to smile at everyone. I never had to smile at everyone before. In India, there were always people to look down upon."
Mr Vivian Van Damm - Very confident, though unemployed, he becomes the theatres writer/ casting director and producer. He devises a series of artistic nude tableau's, with themes of Mermaids, Indians, and well known historic scenes. The girls treat him like a father figure. Mrs Henderson is shocked to learn that he is a married man, as he doesn't divulge this information to her until he introduces his wife on opening night.
Vivian Van Damm - "What you are suggesting isn't possible. That kind of thing isn't done here. Nudity? In England?"
Bertie - A camp young singer, who turns up to watch the auditions at the theatre. Known to Van Damm who smiles at him, he goes on to provide the male element in a show featuring mainly women. Bertie is a genuinely nice young man.
Laura Henderson: "Do you find these women attractive?" Bertie: "Some of them are very pretty." Laura Henderson: "Oh yes, I can certainly see that, but do they intrigue you as a man?" Bertie: "Ah... I have other inclinations." Laura Henderson: "Oh... OH! How delicious!"
Maureen - A young English beauty enters the picture after she is driven off the road by Van Damm and Bertie while riding her bicycle, and she ends up in the canal. Bertie jumps in and drags her out, and Vann Damm sees his 'star'. Maureen becomes the main nude, on the stage, she is told that it is artistic, that it is not sordid by any means, and that she will be well looked after. To a certain degree she is manipulated, but the situation works both ways and the job means she has a roof over her head with a new and very close knit family in the theatre.
THE ACTORS:
Dame Judy Dench - Gave a really good performance as would be expected from this veteran actor. The classy humour that she injects is priceless. Nothing daunts her, and she is unafraid of becoming the part she portrays.
Bob Hoskins - Another classy performance, of a well mannered businessman, he is confident in the part, and is a good co-star for Dench, who you feel have great respect for each others talent. I like the way he portrays the character of Van Damm without letting go and losing the 'proper' English language.
Will Young - I was most interested to see how this singer fared in his first film roll. I was pleased with his performance although apart from the different era portrayed, I don't think it was too much of a stretch for his abilities (playing a young gay singer!) I think he danced well where necessary, and was very well suited to the part of Bertie, in fact it looked like the roll was built around him and not the other way round! His voice is very good, and therefore not hard to listen to.
Kelly Reilly - Is cast well in this role, she contributes the English beauty element, the 'chocolate box' appeal, and does it with class. I am not familiar with this actress but she has been in several films, and I am sure will be seen much more in the future.
THE MUSIC:
I thought the songs and music was good music hall material, although I did not find them particularly memorable, therefore I am not listing the musical tracks here. One song 'Goody Goody' by Benny Goodman was used more than once, and made a connection with the changing times of the theatre. Maybe with more viewings of this film the songs would become more recognisable and therefore more enjoyable. The soundtrack is available on CD.
DVD EXTRAS/ SPECIAL FEATURES:
1. THE MAKING OF - This is a really interesting short film. Firstly we see interviews with Director Stephen Frears, the Producer Norma Hayman and Executive Producer Bob Hoskins.
Secondly we learn about the true history of THE WINDMILL THEATRE. We meet a few original 'Windmill Girls' apparently proud that they can still do the splits etc and we hear their stories! They tell what it was like to be involved in this theatre that opened the door apparently for the future English National Ballet.
This short film also has more interviews with the cast, we learn how they got on together and were chosen for the parts. We see the 'authentic look' they were after - girls not too skinny who could be adapted to look authentic for the 30s and 40s. The sets are discussed and we see where the ideas come from i.e. Hollywood and Moulin Rouge but adapted to the limits of London. We meet the choreographers and hear how the cast were to work with, I found this interesting, especially hearing how Will Young got on, and seeing him fool about in the background. He looks like he had a marvellous time filming.
2. PRODUCTION PHOTOGRAPHY: A series of stills taken from the film.
3. THEATRICAL TRAILER - What you would expect to see to tempt you to want to see more.
4. TV SPOTS - More trailers! My son actually turned round from his pc, and requested that I stop repeating everything!
5. DIRECTORS COMMENTARY ON/OFF - A facility I rarely, if ever use.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Originally released - December 2005 Rating - 12 Some nudity and 'sensitive' language! Run time - 103 minutes Production Company - Pathe International Price - Tescos.com £7.97
MY OPINIONS:
I did enjoyed this film, I wouldn't say it is groundbreaking or brilliant, but on the flip side it is neither poor or badly acted. I found it more interesting the second time, after seeing the special features and reading up on the history of this theatre. I feel that the film has been very closely written to portray events that truly happened, including snippets of information that is available about the way the shows were performed non-stop. I laughed in the film when people scrambled over their seats at the end of a performance to get a seat closer to the front. I have read that this did in fact happen!
If you are expecting another Moulin Rouge this will fail to live up to expectation, but taken as a piece of British history, it brings to life the way of life of the people who were a part of this London theatre's life. Very colourful, it is generally a nice, feel-good film!
FOR MORE INFORMATION (INCLUDING A TRAILER)VISIT:
http://www.mrshendersonpresentsmovie.co.uk/
AND FINALLY:
In reality Mrs Henderson died in 1944 at the age of 84. She left the theatre to Van Damm, who did continue their work. Many british comedians that we are familiar with passed through this theatre, and when Van Damm died in 1960 it went to his daughter Sheila. The theatre closed in 1964. It opened again sporadically, until the 1980s for a variety of shows/ uses.
"The show must go on, but the clothes must come off."
Advantages: Great story, excellent scenery, great acting Disadvantages: Bob Hoskins Naked!!!!!
Mrs Henderson Presents is a film which was my choice as I like Judy Dench. I had heard quite a lot about how good the film was so when I saw it for a bargain price I snapped it up.
Judy Dench stars as Mrs Henderson who has recently lost her husband as is finding life is getting boring. Her best friend tells her that she needs to find a hobby. Everyone is shocked when Mrs Henderson takes this to the extreme and buys the Windmill Theatre!
As she ... ...putting on similar shows so Mrs Henderson and Vivian have to come up with a new idea for a unique show. Mrs Henderson comes up with the idea of Nude theatre but as Vivian tells her she will never get a licence to be able to do this. Will Mrs Henderson get her licence for the nude show and what will happen to the theatre once the war starts? Will Vivian and Mrs Henderson ever be able to get on and stop all the bickering?????
I really did enjoy this ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Great cast, plenty of chuckles and ultimately 'feelgood' Disadvantages: Not for the easily offended
...musical.
Judy Dench plays Mrs Henderson, a lady of high social standing and independent monetary means who has lived a life restrained by the conventions of Edwardian/Victorian morals. When she finds herself a widow in her late 60's she grieves for the husband she has lost and also resents the position in society which convention dictates she should take up, namely charitable good works. She finds life as a wealthy dowager dull and she soon seeks ... ...he has to overcome is Mrs Henderson's constant interfering. The chemistry between these two characters is what gives the film its spark and its best chuckles, they are complete opposites and annoy each other yet both need each other. This role is notable because it also features Mr Hoskins first full frontal nude scene (I say 'first' because you never know), which is needless to say comical but all done in the best possible taste.
Other notables ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Gentle comedy and extemely touching Disadvantages: A little slow getting started
...Story ***
Mrs Henderson's husband has died and she misses him and is bored. She is told by a friend that she is allowed to lunch, serve on committees, sew and take young lovers! All of which she finds boring (well except the idea of the lover!) She is passing a theatre and she decides to buy it, renovate it and then put on shows. She is introduced to Vivian Van Damm who she immediately fights with and then employs. Their relationship is central ... ...has s great relationship with Mrs Henderson and this is central to the role and many of the comedy moments are between them.
Bertie, the male lead in the Musical Review that the theatre puts on is played by Will Young, and before you laugh he is actually very good at it. I wouldn't say that the part stretches him terribly but he certainly doesn't embarrass himself.
Thelma Barlow is absolutely hilarious playing Lady Conway. You will never look at ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Interesting story, good acting Disadvantages: Not everyones idea of a good film
...recently widowed and very wealthy Mrs Henderson purchases an old run down theatre in London's West End and appoints Vivian Van Damm as the manager.
This is a film based on true events and it is a film that always intrigued me enough to want to watch it. The other evening I finally got the chance.
Mrs Laura Henderson, played by Dame Judi Dench is a 70 year old widow who on losing her husband has just returned back to England from India. She ponders ... ...it is the theatre that Mrs Henderson acquires. Vivian Van Damm is an eccentric man played by Bob Hoskins, who fails to be intimidated by Mrs Henderson's wealth and constant interfering. He creates a series of shows for the theatre and announces that the newly named Windmill Theatre will never close, continually showing it shows back to back. This novel idea draws in the crowd and is an instant success but before long other West End theatres begin ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Excellent casting, top quality directing and good storyline. Disadvantages: Bob Hoskins accent is not quite 'kosher'!
...of a recently bereaved widow, Mrs Henderson (played by Dame Judy Dench) who has more money than sense, a sharp tongue and an ascerbic wit.
She wastes no time at all in complaining to her close friend and fellow widow (played by Thelma Barlow - formerly Mavis in Coronation Street) that she is fed up of tea and sympathy and is bored so sets about finding herself a hobby. Mrs Henderson, on a whim, buys a rundown theatre and completely revamps it for ... ...new gimmick and quick. Mrs Henderson doesn' t disappoint when she thinks of a gimmick - that their revue show should be performed in the nude!
Will Young (The X Factor) plays Bertie, a theatre performer, theatrical adviser and an excellent sidekick to Van Damm. He's also first to get his kit off!
The film cover some of the morality issues theatres and performers faced at the time, especially when performers had some of their 'nakedness' on show. ...
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