Directed by:
Stephen FrearsScreenplay:
Martin ShermanCinematography:
Andrew DunnComposer:
George FentonCast:
Judi Dench, Bob Hoskins, Kelly Reilly, Christopher Guest, Anna Brewster, Rosalind Halstead, Toby Jones, Natalia Tena, Samuel Barnett, Patrick Kennedy (more)Plots(1)
London, 1937 Mrs. Laura Henderson, a woman of wealth and connections, has just buried her beloved husband. And now she's bored. At 69, she is far too energetic and vital to fade into gentle widowhood. What she needs, says her friend Lady Conway, is a hobby. Collecting diamonds, perhaps? Or doing charitable works? But, to the shock of her friends she instead buys a theatre--the Windmill Theatre in the heart of Soho. She knows nothing about running it, so she hires a manager: enter Vivian Van Damm. Their love-hate relationship sparks fireworks--and historic innovations in British theatre. Van Damm's idea is 'Revuedeville' or non-stop entertainment. It is a first, and the Windmill is packed -- until other theatres copy it. Then it's Laura's turn to devise another first -- 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 the Windmill in the first place. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Cast
Judi Dench
UK
Best movies:
A Performance of Macbeth (1979) (TV movie)
The Hollow Crown (2012) (series)
Shakespeare Live! From the RSC (2016) (theatrical recording)
Bob Hoskins
UK
Best movies:
Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982)
Enemy at the Gates (2001)
Brazil (1985)
Kelly Reilly
UK
Best movies:
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Agatha Christie: Poirot (1989) (series)
Christopher Guest
USA
Best movies:
The Princess Bride (1987)
A Few Good Men (1992)
Death Wish (1974)
Anna Brewster
UK
Best movies:
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005)
Anita and Me (2002)
Rosalind Halstead
UK
Best movies:
Sherlock (2010) (series)
Endeavour (2012) (series)
Wuthering Heights (2009) (TV movie)
Toby Jones
UK
Best movies:
Sherlock (2010) (series)
Finding Neverland (2004)
Frost/Nixon (2008)
Natalia Tena
UK
Best movies:
Samuel Barnett
UK
Best movies:
Endeavour (2012) (series)
John Adams (2008) (series)
Agatha Christie's Marple (2004) (series)
Patrick Kennedy
UK
Best movies:
Atonement (2007)
Munich (2005)
A Good Year (2006)
Richard Dormer
UK
Best movies:
Togo (2019)
Good Vibrations (2012)
'71 (2014)
Michael Culkin
UK
Best movies:
The Fifth Element (1997)
The Hours (2002)
Perfect Strangers (2001) (series)
Sarah Solemani
UK
Best movies:
Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005)
Hector (2015)
Bridget Jones's Baby (2016)
Richard Syms
UK
Best movies:
Sherlock (2010) (series)
Secrets & Lies (1996)
Hornblower: Duty (2003) (TV movie)
Sandy McDade
UK
Best movies:
Jane Eyre (2011)
Agatha Christie: Poirot (1989) (series)
Secret Smile (2005) (TV movie)
Camille O'Sullivan
Best movies:
Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005)
On the Edge (2001)
Summer in February (2013)
Ian Hanmore
Best movies:
The Magdalene Sisters (2002)
Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves (2023)
The Deal (2003) (TV movie)
Anne Lambton
UK
Best movies:
American History X (1998)
Howards End (1992)
Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon (1998)
Will Young
UK
Best movies:
Agatha Christie's Marple (2004) (series)
Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005)
Highland Park (2013)
Anthony Carrick
Best movies:
Agatha Christie: Poirot (1989) (series)
Valmont (1989)
Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005)