User reviews

This film is a lot of fun. Judi Dench is great to watch as a brash, rich, sometimes naive woman who buys a theater as a hobby after her husband's death. She adds fire and life to every scene she's in and has a superb on screen rapport with Bob Hoskins.

The nudity is handled very well. The audience was completely silent when the girls first appeared in all their God-given glory. I think that no one wanted to be heard reacting in any way. But after a while the nudity in the film became as secondary to the story as it did to the audience. There are characters and their relationships that you care about and then WWII starts up with all of Hitler's insanity. They become the real focal points.

If you go to the movie knowing what you're in for, you'll have a wonderful time. It is well-done and has a good story with terrific actors. There are some lines that are very, very funny. Audience members of all ages were clapping when it was finished and you will too.

As the closing feature of the 2005 St. Louis International Film Festival, "Mrs. Henderson Presents" was shown to a nearly full theatre. Coming from the United Kingdom, the film is not a drama nor is it a comedy. "Mrs. Henderson Presents" is best described as a "dramedy" mixed with a musical. Judi Dench dives into her usual role with ease, playing Laura Henderson. As an upper-class widow left with heaps of money, she decides to purchase a theatre, which she names The Windmill. Through the love-hate relationship between Mrs. Henderson and her theatre manager (the terrific Bob Hoskins), they present the most revolutionary program in England: nude women on stage. "Mrs. Henderson Presents," constantly switches from drama to comedy, but is so skillfully directed by Stephen Frears that it maintains a fluid and graceful tone. This is a film that is told through the eyes of its main character, Laura Henderson, so an unrealistic sense of optimism exists. The message lies in the naïve buoyancy Mrs. Henderson grabs from the continuous tragedy and sadness.

Stephen Frear's new film is truly heartbreaking and tragic, but ironically, is incredibly fun. In "Mrs. Henderson Presents," The Windmill Theatre stands tall like a knight in shining armor to the soldiers and crowds of England. It is also a pleasurable escape that certainly deserves more than one visit.

Oh isn't she terrific?! As a Brit, I get a bit tee-ed off with the 'heritage' type of movie; the type that present a picture that never existed, but the very presence of the old dame gives Mrs Henderson Presents a really uplifting quality. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, all the performances were excellent, Judes of course, but Bob Hoskins as well... oh, and Will Young - he reminded me of Tommy Tune in The Boyfriend - well worth a few quid of anyone's money! I saw it at a preview screening and had the good fortune to chat with Bob Hoskins after the film. He was wonderful, a pocket-sized bundle of fun (though Bob, you owe me two fags). I asked him what it was like working with the Dame (she has a reputation for being totally committed and therefore can be a bit scary). He grinned a grin the size of the Dartford Tunnel and said 'Judy! She frightened the effing (though he didn't say 'effing')life out of me!!' It was a great moment - he's one of my heroes; stunning in The Long Good Friday and Mona Lisa... and a little, grey-haired old lady terrified him!! He said she on the ball twenty four hours a day and worked like a trouper. Wonderful!!! I would absolutely recommend Mrs Henderson Presents; it's nostalgic, yes; it's a bit contrived; but hey, artistic license is allowed still isn't it? And I'd rather watch this than sit through turgid dross like Notting Hill or Four Weddings. As British films go - this might just signal a bit of a comeback - we can but hope.

A wealthy widow, Mrs. Laura Henderson (Judi Dench) buys an old London theater and comes up with the brilliant idea to turn it in a performance hall with the non-stop shows featuring nude girls during World War II. Bob Hoskins plays Vivian Van Damm, her business partner, who is as stubborn and opinionated as she is but somehow they manage to stay friends and to maintain the respect and admiration for each other. I liked this little movie very much. It's a well crafted dramedy with nice musical numbers, nudity, touching story, and it is based on the real events. Dench and Hoskins are marvelous together.

7.5/10

I love Judi Dench and this was premise of interest about this film. But the real gift was the admirable work of Bob Hoskins in this conflict with the rich lady, refuged in her ideal universe. A film like a kaleidescope. It is a comedy, a drama, a musical, a war film but , more important, it is just delightful. For fair balance, for humor and dramas, for final dance , for dialogue, for inspired state, mix of nostalgia and fresh perspective about people . So, delightful can be a good term defining it.

What does a recent widow of a certain age do for amusement in the England of the 1930s? She buys a theater. And what kind of entertainment does this widow decide to give to the London public? The type that they didn't get in other venues.

That is the premise of this film directed by Stephen Frears that clearly shows it was a vehicle tailor made for a great dame of the English stage and cinema, Judi Dench, who clearly dominates with her presence all we see in this formulaic picture based on a real story.

The Windmill Theater in London never closed its doors during the worst of the bombing it suffered. It must have been quite a feat for the real Mrs. Henderson and her manager, Vivian Van Damm, to keep presenting day after day the kind of variety shows the public loved. The skits at the Windmill showed a lot of naked skin by the way of the beautiful young women whose job was to stand in the background and have their bodies shown in an artistic way in order to avoid the censure of the office of Lord Chamberlain.

Mrs. Henderson had the good fortune of engaging a manager of the caliber of Vivian Van Damm. He was the genius behind all the revues that played at the Windmill because his vision and knowing well what the public wanted to see. Later on, as England entered the war, the theater became a refuge for the young men that were in the city on leave before going, or returning to the front lines.

Judi Dench portrays Laura Henderson with her accustomed style in a fun, although predictable performance. She has some good moments. Bob Hoskins, playing Mr. Van Damm is also good playing opposite of Ms. Dench. Thelma Barlow appears as Mrs. Henderson's friend and confidant as the delicious Lady Conway and Christopher Guest is perfect as the Lord Chamberlain.

Stephen Frears direction doesn't bring anything to the film that has a feeling as something one has seen before. While the film doesn't break any new ground, it still is fun because of the great Judi Dench doing what she does best.

When her husband died, a feisty British dowager named Laura Henderson bought a West End theater called The Windmill, where, for the first time ever in the history of England, nude models appeared live on stage (the nudity could pass legal muster because it was presented strictly in the form of tableaux). These shows quickly became all the rage in Depression Era London, and the theater even became a beacon for morale-boosting through the dark days of the Nazi Blitz. Her cohort was a producer named Vivian Van Damm, whom the flighty Mrs. Henderson took a shine to - on both a personal and professional level - early on.

Stephen Frears' "Mrs. Henderson Presents" is what is generally known in the trade as an "actors' film," one in which the stars are the key to the movie's success. And, indeed, Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins turn in flawless performances that complement one another very nicely. Dench is all stiff-upper-lip, scenery-chewing feistiness, while Hoskins plays the part of her foil with impressive understatement. Moreover, the film is to be commended for not going for the obvious in its portrayal of the relationship between these two very different main characters (Van Damm was married and stayed true to his wife).

The script is clever, sharp and witty, with just the right amount of sentiment thrown in to give the movie the fairy tale quality it needs to succeed. In terms of the sets, cinematography and costume design, the film is a sumptuous, lovely-to-look-at, pitch-perfect re-creation of its time period.

When all is said and done, "Mrs. Henderson Presents" is a lighter-than-air soufflé that is quickly consumed and then forgotten. But it sure gives one a lot of pleasure while it lasts.

Long time viewer of IMDb.com but first time poster. I just HAD to post after that negative listing I saw because I couldn't disagree more! I found the movie hilarious and touching. The history of the Windmill Theatre is extraordinary! I come from a theater background and currently work in production for television and film... and I just loved this movie. From the script, to the costuming, the acting, music and imagery... beautiful. My only complaint would be to the Weinsteins - where is the PR??? Dench and Hoskins are amazing! Oscar contenders for sure! I know it won't be released wide until January and I do hope it picks up speed because there's no good reason NOT to see this movie - there's humor, nudity, history, a little romance, a little violence... it has something for everyone!

I really like this movie, its fun and you get the entertainment you need. You don't get bored even if you are girl on 19 like myself ;) Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins is a good match in this movie, they are very funny to watch. This type of movie we don't see enough of in the cinema's today. It was cool to see all this nude girls in the movie, I know that this movie is not for kids because of that and the not so fine language that was used in the script. I would love to see more movies based on true events, please give me more! Go see this movie if you need something to make you happy and glad that you spent time watching this movie.

Enjoy!

I cannot believe how badly this lovely film has been savaged on IMDb.

Apart from spectacular vaudeville staging, Judi Dench plays her eccentric, mischievous widow to perfection and the excellent Bob Hoskins is cast surprisingly out of type as a reserved, rather complex, gentlemanly but iron-willed theatre manager. Their argumentative relationship is amusing without being overbearing, as the film is essentially a nicely balanced ensemble piece. Dench's character Laura Henderson turns out to have a very touching motivation for her desire to stage daring musicals for brave young men off to war. Will Young gives an astonishingly strong vocal performance throughout. His mannered vocal style is perfect, and he looks every inch the part on stage. His few brief moments of acting are nothing to blush over either. Kelly Reilly, the star of the naked girlie reviews, is quite simply mesmerising to watch, and ultimately her character is full of pathos.

And if none of that were enough to engage you, you've got an interesting wartime plot, based on true events in the history of the Windmill Theatre, which in current circumstances feels highly topical and relevant for Londoners. 9/10

British cinema prides itself on being different from Hollywood, as well it should be. This is a cute little partly-comedic historical drama. Judi Dench is wonderful in this film, and a lot of credit should go to Bob Hoskins, as well. I first saw him in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" and he had the accent down so perfectly, I just assumed that he was an American. Both of these fine actors subsumed themselves completely into their characters and made the semi-farcical believable. The photography was also quite grand, particularly the rooftop shots of London during the Blitz. The nudity was tastefully done, maybe even a bit too much. Overall, this film is most assuredly worth a rental.

How to start on this spectacular film?

The music is superb, Fenton did a sterling job in providing the score for this enthralling musical. Judi Dench sits, as always, perfectly in the role of rebellious Laura Henderson, and her rapport with Bob Hoskins gives a punch to the storyline. The stunning Kelly Reilly combines her English-rose appearance with wartime tenacity and delivers a truly believable and moving performance throughout. Will Young, a surprise casting for many, heads the musical cast with an almost scarily convincing performance as the energetic performer, Bertie. He's rightly received glowing reviews after his substantial appearance in the movie, most notably from Dench and Hoskins themselves - inspired casting by Frears.

This film is a perfect example of typically British humour and attitudes, particular during WWII - In fact it's been a hit with many people from the era (when I went to see it I was surrounded not least by people of 60 and over who reacted to the film with raucous laughter and many a teary eye). I whole heartedly recommend this film to anyone with a love of music, comedy, history, Britain or simply bloody good acting.

Stephen Frears has proved himself very adroit in the past with adventurous or at least quirky material such as "My Beautiful Laundrette" and "Dirty Pretty Things." But here, like that other great innovative English director Mike Leigh in "Topsy_Turvey", he sings a paean of praise to showbiz in deeply conventional fashion. Even so, this is quite a satisfying piece of film-making.

The Windmill Theatre in Soho started life as a cinema, but became a live theatre after its purchase in 1930 (altered, for no apparent reason, to 1937 in the film) by Laura Henderson, the wealthy widow of a jute tycoon, who had spent many years in India. After a brief unsuccessful flurry with conventional plays, Laura and her experienced manager, Vivian Van Damm hit on the idea of "Revuedeville", a continuous variety show drawing on the vaudeville tradition. When many imitators emerged (and with the Windmill losing money) Laura decided some tasteful nudity a la Follies Bergere was in order. She sweet-talked the (rather susceptible) Lord Chamberlain, Lord Cromer, whom she knew socially, into the idea, though he imposed the famous condition that, like statues in an art gallery, nude artistes were not to move on stage.

The re-vamped show was a great success; this time not so many other theatrical managements seemed to want to follow the Windmill's example, and by the time World War 2 broke out the Windmill had a unique reputation for tasteful titillation. The auditorium was largely underground and it survived the blitz, staying open continuously except for a three-week period in September 1939 when all London theatres were closed. Inside, Mrs Henderson and her manager had a famously stormy relationship (he banned her from the theatre several times and to get access she resorted to such devices as auditioning for animal acts in a bear suit).

For me, the real interest in the film was not so much the personal dramas (and there were plenty of these during wartime) but the re-creation of the Windmill's shows which were essentially high-minded soft porn set to popular songs of the day. Titillation was the order of the day and blokes made up the bulk of the audience. Much of the music is original, from the prolific George Fenton, but the shows capture the atmosphere of the times. The film's own production values are deficient in other areas, however – some of the "outside" scenes are pretty minimalist and the London blitz skyline looks like a painted backdrop.

Needless to say Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins as Mrs Henderson and Van Damm, old pros as they are, put in fine, if sometimes histrionic, performances, and Will Young, even if he is more singer than actor, played the high camp Bertie to the manner born. The music is always easy to listen to, and though the shows might be a little glossier than the original, the entertainment value is there. It's really "Topsy Turvey from Soho", a celebration of a particular part of the British musical theatre. I suspect it will bore anybody under 50 witless, but the rest will find it satisfying.

What were they thinking? Stephen Frears? I don't believe it for a minute. He's never made anything this bad. The tone of the film is impossible to grasp. Lack of money, something mentioned. Well that's no excuse. To recreate the London blitz without money is something that amateurs do, not Stephen Frears for goodness sake. Judi Dench alone is a reason to go to a movie, but not this one. Here everything is so clichéd so premeditated is anti-wit it's just unforgivable. Martin Sherman of "Bent" fame wrote the script and that's were most of the problems lay. It's not grand and funny and camp. it's not serious compelling or moving. It's not fast and outrageous and daring. It's just a disappointing crashing old bore. I'm sorry, I really am.

A film like 'Mrs. Henderson Presents' probably relies most on the performances and this is where it scores. Not to take anything away from Stephen Frears as I very much like his works, but I doubt the screenplay would have been as effective had it not been for Ms. Dench. The title role seems to have been made for Dame Judi Dench as I simply cannot picture anyone else doing justice to the character. In addition to that, Bob Hoskins is equally effective as the stubborn Van Damme and Kelly Reilly is stunningly sensual, innocent and vulnerable. The portrayal of the theatre and its productions are quite spectacular. The set designs though impressive have a theatrical look but perhaps that was the director Frears's intention. The soundtrack is likable. The screenplay feels slightly deja-vu and something seems to be lacking. Though the film is classified as a drama, there are several laugh-out-loud moments, most of which are provided by Dench. Her subtle comedy, her downplaying the intense emotions and her nuances, whether expressed through her dialogue delivery or body language….are enough to form a textbook in acting. Just take a look at her scenes and one can see what I am trying to convey. It is Judi Dench's Mrs. Henderson that stays in mind long after the film's finished. That itself makes 'Mrs. Henderson Presents' a beautiful film to watch.

Director Stephen Frears presents a brand new breakthrough comedy in this British comedy/musical, with our favourite British actress Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins leading a group of beauties to go onto the stage - nude.

Dench plays Laura Henderson, a recent widow of the late merchant. After inherited the wealth from her late husband, she bought over a theatre as she could not accept the boredom of being a well-to-do widow. She names the theatre Windmill Theatre and runs the theatre with Vivian Van Damm (Hoskins) together with their newly recruited performers.

However, business fails after a period of time. Thus Mrs Henderson decided to introduce nude girls into the show, which is commonly seen in France. Afraid that it will be condemn by the society, Vivian is against the idea of nude performances. However, Vivian gives in after much persuasion. Eventually it not only make Windmill Theatre brings back its glorious days, but also becomes the only theatre that still runs the show during World War 2.

Frears do not sell nudity as a form of sex in Mrs Henderson Presents. More rather, it brings out the whole idea of the movie that is trying to present, where it makes Windmill Theatre not only stands up out of the other theatres (by being the only theatre that still runs the show during war.), but also the only places for entertainment during the war time, for both the people and the soldiers.

The film lacks elaboration on how it survives after WW2, which is the only disappointment in the film. Other than that, you are guaranteed with lots of hilarious jokes, the fanciful dance and sing segments, and of course, the constant bickering between Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins.

The dance and sing segment is part of the selling point of the film, where it not only present to the audience as a form of entertainment, but also it acts as a time line for the years Windmill Theatre being through. From the dance and sing segment featuring hunks and loads of beauties in the pre-WW2 era to the patriotic songs performances, the Windmill girls and guys are using their performance as a form of reflection to the world outside the stage curtains.

Judi Dench, amazingly, took the role of Laura Henderson well. While Dench leaves memorable impression of the role of M in James Bond series and the British aristocrats in her old works such as The Importance of Being Earnest and the recent Pride and Prejudice, she changes the impression of the audience with Laura Henderson, where she would do something that no one would ever did. Her decision not only takes the opportunity to fulfill her dead son's wishes (where at the start of the film, she visited her son's grave after her husband's funeral) but also the wishes of many men, including the soldiers. Judi Dench took the opportunity to express what Laura wants to did in this film by taking the leading role, Mrs Laura Henderson.

Mrs Henderson Presents makes it stands up out of the other British films with something that no want would want to do - nude performances in Windmill Theatre.

During the wake of Mrs. Henderson's late husband, she has already fallen bored with the life of widowhood. Never one to be kept tied down with boredom, and money to burn, stumbles upon an old, decrepit theater. Hiring out of work manager, Vivian Van Damm, the Windmill theater becomes an instant hit with the public. When other theaters follow suit, revenue drops dramatically. To keep the theater running, Henderson takes inspiration from Paris, placing naked women in the stage numbers. Contriversity hits the Windmill, with Lord Cromer stating the women are unable to move, in order for the nudity to be credited as art, yet the musicals are a hit, with people constantly filling the seats; strangely all men. Looming around the corner, the second world war starts, turning England into a dangerous area, from constant air raids. Determined to keep peoples morals up, Henderson leaves the theater open.

From the opening credits, you can see Mrs. Henderson Presents is covered in that old English charm. The humor is so wry and fired off with such precision, making those punches at the aristocratic lifestyle right on target. You can easily see Judi Dench loved her role of Mrs. Henderson. Dench perfectly times every joke, and comeback to Mr. Van Damm, firing one after the other. Equally match, Bob Hoskins is perfectly partnered with Dench, they're like an old couple they way they fight one another.

While Mrs. Henderson Presents starts off promising, with great humor, its starts to slip down, verging to heavily into the melodramatic; especially when the war starts. Melodrama doesn't hold a lot of emotional manipulation, making all the dramatic scenes not all that dramatic. Stephen Frears's direction is to heavy handed, with some awkward shots; at times it looks he's shoving the camera in their faces. Frears's does handle the nudity with great subtlety, never looking exploitive, the women do look like art.

While this does slide towards the end with some predictability and losing that sharp witty humor, Mrs. Henderson Presents is a good piece of light entertainment.

This little gem was given a bad review by a local newspaper critic and I couldn't disagree more!! I loved it. Judy Dench (the wonderful) and Bob Hoskins are fabulous in their roles and I loved the flirtatious undercurrents. This film made me laugh and cry .... I left the theatre feeling lovely ... what more could you ask for in a movie?? The history of the Windmill Theatre and the (ludicrious) laws allowing the nudes on stage was very interesting. I think Will Young did very well in his first movie, I am an oldie who enjoys his singing. All in all a great movie, Judy Dench fans wont be disappointed, and I hope some younger movie goers give it a go as its well worth the viewing.

'Mrs. Henderson Presents' tells the story of the first London show to feature naked bodies, which overcame the twin hurdles of the Lord Chamberlain's censorship and World War Two. The importance of this landmark is questionable, and the film occupies a comfortable territory, never really challenging our assumptions. But Stephen Frears directs with his customary low-key humour, and Judy Dench gives a fine performance as the eccentric proprietor, although Bob Hoskins (employing a very strange accent) never quite convinces as the artistic director with whom she enjoys a fiery relationship, in this agreeable, though slight, film.

Judi Dench as MRS. HENDERSON is a joy to watch from the first scene in the cemetery to the last scene on a roof top in London. A powerful story of a rich English woman who strikes gold with an investment in a theater in London during World War II and turns her investment into a brilliant refuge for her audience as bombs drop all around the theater.

Bob Hoskins turns in a performance as brilliant as Ms. Dench and the two of the them on the screen together is such a pleasure to watch two polished and professional actors light up the screen. The chemistry between them is marvelous, and their scenes together are filled with tremendous writing and biting humor. A "cinematic joy" just in time for the Awards season.

MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS brings us back to the time of World War II and visually shows us the strength of character which the English people had in fighting the Germans and the tremendous sacrifices made by Great Britain to win the war. The supporting cast of beautiful women, and the marvelous role Christopher Guest has in the movie makes this film one to remember and cherish during the holiday season.

LET THERE ALWAYS BE AN ENGLAND.

Mrs. Henderson (Judi Dench) is newly widowed just before the Second World War. Being wealthy, she decides to buy a dilapidated old theater, renovate it, and present continuous performances of vaudeville. She hires Vivian Van Damm (Bob Hoskins) to produce the shows which start off doing very well. When the customers start to dwindle she gets the idea of presenting some of the female performers nude. She applies for permission from the government and the arts commission allows it only if the women don't move. The relationship of Dench and Van Damm is what drives the film. They are great together. The musical numbers are enjoyable. The soldiers who attend the performances are entertained. There isn't much plot to the film, but the cast and direction (Stephen Frears) paint a portrait of life before and during World War II in London during the blitz.

I saw this movie last night at a screening in Sedona,AZ. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the show. The casting was perfect. The sets were marvelous. The acting was superb. The chemistry between Judith Dench and Bob Hoskins was palpable and just fun to watch. Kelly Reilly, Will Young, Christopher Guest, Thelma Barlow and the remainder of the cast brought to life a very poignant story of a slice of life in WWII London and the spirit of the people of the West End theater district. All of the storytelling, dancing, singing and script was masterfully choreographed and crafted by the collaboration of Director Stephen Frears and Writer Martin Sherman to produce an extremely entertaining movie well worth a few hours of your time and worthy of all the acclaim I'm sure it will receive. A must see movie.

Who would ever think a movie with such talented actors could go so wrong? Mrs Henderson's friend comments that women in their eighth decade are very similar to adolescents. That rings too true in this case. Mrs Henderson is boring and implausibly shallow. The sparks between her and Vivian Van Damme, played by Hoskins, are artificial and unpersuasive. None of the characters develops in any interesting way. The struggle to keep the revue open against sporadic and apparently random opposition by the Lord Chamberlain is not enough to sustain the story. The motivations of the filles de tableaux are not explored. No tension ever being created, there is none to be resolved. Ugh.