The Dresser (Limited Edition, Region B)

 

(Peter Yates, 1983, 119 mins)
Release date: 21 July 2025
Limited Edition Blu-ray (UK premiere)

Peter Yates (Summer Holiday, Murphy’s War) directs Albert Finney (Charlie Bubbles), Tom Courtenay (Otley), and Edward Fox (Force 10 from Navarone) in The Dresser, a heart-rending yet darkly humorous tale of life in the theatre. 

During the Second World War, a group of actors take Shakespeare across the industrial north, led by an ageing and imperious actor known only as ‘Sir’ (Finney), against a background of air-raid sirens and exploding bombs. With his mental and physical condition deteriorating, selfless dresser Norman (Courtenay) struggles to ensure that the show – Sir’s 227th performance as King Lear – goes on.

Based on the experiences of screenwriter Ronald Harwood (The Pianist), assistant to legendary Shakespearean actor Sir Donald Wolfit (90° in the Shade), The Dresser is a moving exploration of loyalty and unrequited love.

INDICATOR LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES

• High Definition remaster
  
• Original mono audio
  
• Interview with actor Claire Harrison (2025)
  
• Interview with director of photography Kelvin Pike (2025)
  
• Interview with camera operator Dewi Humphreys (2025)
  
• Interview with sound mixer John Hayward (2025)
  
• Interviews with property master John Chisholm and property buyer Jill Quertier (2025)
  
• Original theatrical trailer
  
• Image gallery: publicity and promotional material
  
• New English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing 
  
• Limited edition exclusive booklet with new essay by Thirza Wakefield, a selection of interviews with director Peter Yates and actors Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay charting the film’s production, an overview of critical responses, and film credits 
  
• UK premiere on Blu-ray
  
• Limited edition of 3,000 copies for the UK

All features subject to change