The Dresser (1983): cast, story & where to watch
1983 · Film · ★ 6.7
Released in 1983, The Dresser is a drama film directed by Peter Yates, running about 118 minutes. “What happens backstage is always true drama. And often pure comedy.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. In a touring Shakespearean theater group, a backstage hand - the dresser, is devoted to the brilliant but tyrannical head of the company. He struggles to support the deteriorating star as the company struggles to carry on during the London blitz. The pathos of his backstage efforts rival the pathos in the story of Lear and the Fool that is being presented on-stage, as the situation comes to a crisis.
Who’s in it. The Dresser stars Albert Finney as Sir, Tom Courtenay as Norman, Zena Walker as Her Ladyship and Eileen Atkins as Madge, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.7/10, The Dresser has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Dresser page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Dresser tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Dresser (1983)?
- In US, The Dresser is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Dresser worth watching?
- The Dresser holds an audience score of 6.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Dresser?
- The Dresser stars Albert Finney, Tom Courtenay, Zena Walker, Eileen Atkins and Michael Gough.
- When was The Dresser released?
- The Dresser was released in 1983, with a runtime of about 118 minutes.