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Set around the early 1930's and continuing through the second world war, this film is based on true events and tells the tale 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 her own amusement. When she eventually realises that her 'Windmill Theatre' is more than a building and needs performers and an audience she seeks advice and then sets out to employ the 'perfect' man for the job. Enter Bob Hoskins as Mr Vivian Van Damm, an out of work theatre manager.
They immediately get off on the wrong foot and so begins their love/hate relationship and battle of wills.
The two actors play their parts to perfection with each trying to exert their influence over the other, but very proper relationship is maintained at all times. The acting is very believable in spite of Bob's accent, which is sometimes posher than the queen and sometimes a bit cockney - is that called poshney rather than mockney when people who try and be cockneys when they're not?
The theatre is a roaring success to start with as they try the open all hours approach.... until the novelty wears off. They need a 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. The modelling guidelines are surprisingly harsh when you consider how liberal we are today. This section of the film also provides some great humour and dry wit from the Dame.
The film is not rude, suggestive or sexy, this really tries to show the naked female form as art, although the mainly uniformed squaddie audience don't see it that way! Swear words (if I recall correctly) are few and far between, and some of the one liners are brilliant!
Looking back I can see that this film is a comedy with musical sections, but I wouldn't normally choose to watch a 'traditional' musical, I have to say that all the music was in the right places and it definitely wasn't people bursting into song for the heck of it!
A super film which amused me, made me laugh out loud in some places, raised some discussion points during and after the film and also made shed a tead. An interesting movie demonstrating the English gung-ho attitude and 'get on with it' mentality during the war years
I would recommend this film to anyone, in fact already bought it for my in-laws who live in Spain and don't get much english tv.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Comedy - Director: Tony Dow - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: John Challis, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Tessa Peake-Jones, Gwyneth Strong
Just a little bit more information as mentioned below to get the higher ratings. If you would like to add more details to the review in the future you can do this by pressing the edit link on the right hand side of the page as you read your review. Fiona
Amazingwoo 12.06.2006 12:18
I'd like to watch this as I think it'd be entertaining but I just have this fear that Bob Hoskins gets his kit off too. Please tell me he doesn't!!
The blitz-bombing of London in World War II provides the serious backdrop for the ... 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...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The blitz-bombing of London in World War II provides the serious backdrop for the ... 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...
Postage & Packaging: Check Site. Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
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 D...
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...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
![Mrs Henderson Presents [2005] [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78502830.jpg "Mrs Henderson Presents [2005] [DVD]")
Jun 10th, 2006
(Jun 15th, 2006)
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