Mrs Henderson Presents

Mrs Henderson Presents (Blu-Ray) (*)

Out of Stock

Screened, competed or awarded at:
BAFTA Awards
British Independent Film Awards
David Donatello Awards
Golden Globes
Oscar Academy Awards
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 )
English ( Dolby DTS-HD Master Audio )
Spanish ( Dolby Digital 5.1 )
Spanish ( Dolby DTS-HD Master Audio )
Spanish ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Spain ( Blu-Ray/Region B )

Running Time:
103 min + 24 min extras

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.85:1)

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Photo Gallery
Scene Access
Trailer(s)

Movie filmed in 2005 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )
United States ( USA, Canada )

Directed By:
Stephen Frears

Written By:
Martin Sherman
David Rose

Actors:
Judi Dench ..... Mrs. Laura Henderson
Bob Hoskins ..... Vivian Van Damm
Will Young ..... Bertie
Christopher Guest ..... Lord Cromer
Kelly Reilly ..... Maureen
Thelma Barlow ..... Lady Conway
Anna Brewster ..... Doris
Rosalind Halstead ..... Frances
Sarah Solemani ..... Vera
Natalia Tena ..... Peggy
Thomas Allen ..... Eric Woodburn (as Sir Thomas Allen)
Richard Syms ..... Ambrose
Ralph Nossek ..... Leslie Pearkes
Camille O'Sullivan ..... Jane
Doraly Rosen ..... Maggie

Synopsis:

Recently widowed well-to-do Laura Henderson is at a bit of a loose end in inter-war London. On a whim she buys the derelict Windmill theatre in the West End and persuades impresario Vivian Van Damm to run it, despite the fact the two don't seem to get on at all. Although their idea of a non-stop revue is at first a success, other theatres copy it and disaster looms. Laura suggests they put nudes in the show, but Van Damm points out that the Lord Chamberlain, who licenses live shows in Britain, is likely to have something to say about this. Luckily Mrs Henderson is friends with him.

The film is based on the true story of the Windmill Theatre in London. Eccentric 70-year-old widow Mrs Laura Henderson purchases it as a post-widowhood hobby, and appoints autocratic manager Vivian Van Damm. In 1937 they start a continuous variety review called "Revudeville," but after other theatres in London copy this innovation, they begin to lose money. Mrs Henderson suggests they add female nudity similar to the Moulin Rouge in Paris. This is unprecedented in the United Kingdom. The Lord Chamberlain (Rowland Baring, 2nd Earl of Cromer) reluctantly allows this under the condition that the nude performers do not move so it can be considered art, the equivalent of nude statues in museums. Because the theatre's auditorium is below street level it is relatively safe during the bombing of London, and performances continue. The performers bravely go on with the show even during frightening bombing raids, to the extent of the posed nude girls resuming their poses after ducking as the whole theatre is shaken and the scene flats all round them sway, following a bomb landing close by. Eventually, the authorities want the theatre to close because of the danger of crowds gathering in the street outside the theatre. However, Mrs Henderson successfully argues that for soldiers going to die in the war this is their last chance, and for many of the young soldiers their only chance, to see female nudity.

Laura Henderson buys an old London theater and opens it up as the Windmill, a performance hall which goes down in history for, among other things, its all-nude revues.

This product was added to our catalog on Sunday 16 June, 2013.

Customers who bought this product also purchased

An Angel at My Table ( 1990 ) (Blu-Ray)	Tobruk ( 1967 ) (Blu-Ray)	Kill Daddy Good Night (DVD)
The Saint of Fort Washington (1993) (DVD)	Katia's Sister (DVD)	The German Friend (2012) (Blu-Ray)