Calendar Girls (2003)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Nigel Cole

Writers:

Tim Firth (written by)
Juliette Towhidi (written by)

Release Date:

12 September 2003 (Norway)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

They dropped everything for a good cause.

Plot:

A Women's Institute chapter's fundraising effort for a local hospital by posing nude for a calendar becomes a media sensation.

Plot Keywords:

Calendar | Yorkshire | Leukemia | Hospital | Small Town

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Helen Mirren	...	Chris Harper
Julie Walters	...	Annie Clarke
John Alderton	...	John Clarke
Linda Bassett	...	Cora
Annette Crosbie	...	Jessie
Philip Glenister	...	Lawrence Sertain
Ciarán Hinds	...	Rod Harper
Celia Imrie	...	Celia
Geraldine James	...	Marie
Penelope Wilton	...	Ruth Reynoldson
George Costigan	...	Eddie Reynoldson
Graham Crowden	...	Richard
John Fortune	...	Frank
Georgie Glen	...	Kathy
Angela Curran	...	May Wilkinson
Rosalind March	...	Trudy
John-Paul Macleod	...	Jem Harper
Marc Pickering	...	Gaz
John Sharian	...	Danny
Belinda Everett	...	Maya
Harriet Thorpe	...	Brenda Mooney
Gillian Wright	...	Eddie's Woman
Ian Embleton	...	Andy
Janet Howd	...	Julia
Lesley Staples	...	Jenny
Richard Braine	...	Policeman
Maggie McCarthy	...	W.I. Administrator 1
Diana Marchment	...	W.I. Administrator 2
Celia Henebury	...	Check-In Stewardess
Ted Robbins	...	Ted the Bike Man
Arthur Kelly	...	Bookshop Owner
Alison Pargeter	...	Chemist's Assistant
Tim Barker	...	Holiday Speaker
Angus Barnett	...	Orchid Photographer
Frank Barrie	...	Lecherous Photographer
John Sparkes	...	Welsh Photographer
Merryn Owen	...	Student Photographer
Richard Ashton	...	Policeman 2
Shameer Madarbakus	...	Policeman 3
Elizabeth Bennett	...	W.I. Judge
Simon Ludders	...	Waiter
Darren Southworth	...	Sofa Salesman
Sharon Thomas	...	TV Reporter
Christa Ackroyd	...	News Presenter
Geoffrey Wilkinson	...	Seed Company Manager
Bob Flag	...	Alan Rathbone
Mark Hayford	...	Charity Chicken Worker
Geoffrey Banks	...	Lycra Cyclist 1
Wilfred Harrison	...	Lycra Cyclist 2
Adil Hussain	...	Jem's Friend 1
Waqas Altaf	...	Jem's Friend 2
Paul McLeary	...	Husband 1
Peter Lorenzelli	...	Husband 2
Jay Leno	...	Himself
Matt Malloy	...	Hotel Manager
Patton Oswalt	...	Larry
Craig Kirkwood	...	Bellboy
Frank Bello	...	Frank, Anthrax
John Bush	...	John, Anthrax
Scott Ian	...	Scott Anthrax (as Scott Ian Rosenfeld)
Ashley Niles	...	Hotel Registration
Angela Baker	...	Highgyll W.I. Lady
Beryl Bamforth	...	Highgyll W.I. Lady
Christine Clancy	...	Highgyll W.I. Lady
Ros Fawcett	...	Highgyll W.I. Lady
Lynda Logan	...	Highgyll W.I. Lady
Tricia Stewart	...	Highgyll W.I. Lady
Roy the Postman	...	Himself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lisa Renée	...	Personal Assistant (uncredited)

Directed by
Nigel Cole

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Tim Firth		written by
Juliette Towhidi		written by

Produced by
Nick Barton	....	producer
Steve Clark-Hall	....	co-producer
Suzanne Mackie	....	producer

Original Music by
Patrick Doyle

Cinematography by
Ashley Rowe

Film Editing by
Michael Parker

Casting by
Gail Stevens

Production Design by
Martin Childs

Art Direction by
Mark Raggett

Costume Design by
Frances Tempest

Makeup Department
Christina Baker	....	hair designer
Christina Baker	....	makeup designer
Kay Bilk	....	hair stylist (makeup artist)
Deborah Jarvis	....	makeup artist
Karen Sherriff-Brown	....	hair stylist (makeup artist)

Production Management
Jo Farr	....	production manager
Miranda Jones	....	post-production supervisor
Chrisann Verges	....	unit production manager: Los Angeles

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Guy Barker	....	assistant director
Rosemary C. Cremona	....	second assistant director: Los Angeles
Lee Grumett	....	third assistant director
Toby Hosking	....	co-second assistant director
Olivia Lloyd	....	second assistant director
Deborah Saban	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Grant Armstrong	....	stand-by art director
Anna Bregman	....	art department assistant
Laura Dishington	....	assistant art director
Susan Emshwiller	....	set decorator: U.S.
Paul Inglis	....	draughtsman
Jonas Kirk	....	construction coordinator: Los Angeles
Shay Leonard	....	stand-by props
Gwen Murray	....	art department trainee
John O'Shaughnessy	....	production buyer
Carisa Rosenthal	....	set dresser
John Warnke	....	set designer

Sound Department
Tom Barrow	....	sound assistant
Ricky Butt	....	foley artist
Tim Cavagin	....	sound re-recording mixer
Colin Cooper	....	adr recordist
Twydor Davis	....	dialogue editor
Graham Day	....	sound trainee
Nathan Duncan	....	sound assistant trainee
Tim Fraser	....	sound recordist
Stuart Mackay	....	assistant sound editor
Michael Redfern	....	foley editor
Steve Single	....	sound re-recording mixer
William Towers	....	boom operator
Ian Wilson	....	supervising sound editor

Special Effects by
Stuart Brisdon	....	special effects supervisor
Mark Haddenham	....	special effects senior technician

Visual Effects by
Henry Badgett	....	digital compositor
Stefan Drury	....	visual effects producer
Michael Elson	....	head of production: MPC
Charley Henley	....	digital compositor
Chas Jarrett	....	3D animator
Richard Stammers	....	visual effects supervisor
Maria Stroka	....	film recording manager
Ben Thompson	....	3D animator: MPC
Daniel Walton	....	digital artist
Howard Berry	....	visual effects runner: MPC (uncredited)
Martyn Drake	....	systems: MPC (uncredited)
Sabine Kertscher	....	digital compositor (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Colin Anderson	....	Steadicam operator: USA
Jaap Buitendijk	....	still photographer
Ian Clark	....	focus puller
Andy Cole	....	electrician
Kelly Cummins	....	assistant camera
Oliver Curtis	....	director of photography: additional photography
Louis DiCesare	....	gaffer: Los Angeles
Tim Durr	....	electrician: Los Angeles
Steve Lawes	....	focus puller: "b" camera
David McAnulty	....	grip
Adrian McCarthy	....	grip
Vince McGahon	....	Steadicam operator
Pat Miller	....	rigging gaffer
Martin Scanlan	....	daily clapper loader
Paige Thomas	....	first assistant camera
Garie Wetherill	....	video playback operator
Phil Whittaker	....	second grip

Casting Department
Robin Hudson	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Alix Friedberg	....	assistant costume designer
Kelly Mijailovic	....	costume supervisor (as Kelly Bowman)
Shirley Nevin	....	costume supervisor

Editorial Department
Marsha Bramwell	....	trainee assistant editor
Lisa Clifford-Owen	....	assistant editor
Guy Ducker	....	assistant editor
Celia Haining	....	assistant editor
Lea Morement	....	assistant editor
Paisley Pappé-Iredell	....	assistant editor: Los Angeles
Matthew Streatfield	....	trainee assistant editor

Music Department
Liz Gallacher	....	music supervisor
Maggie Rodford	....	score producer
James Shearman	....	conductor
Graham Sutton	....	music editor
Nick Wollage	....	score recordist
Mike Deasy	....	musician (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Adrian Cannon	....	driver: Mr. Cole
Ian Lisi	....	facilities driver
Mike Miliotti	....	driver: production van
Enyo Mortty	....	driver: Cilia Imrie

Other crew
Kim Armitage	....	script supervisor
Erica Bensly	....	location unit manager: Yorkshire
Mandy Calder	....	finance director
Orlagh Collins	....	production coordinator
Matt Curtis	....	title designer
Dawn Darfus	....	production accountant: Los Angeles
Kristin Dehnert	....	location manager
Jo Farrugia	....	assistant to director
Polly Fletcher	....	assistant accountant
Polly Hope	....	assistant production coordinator
Christopher Hutchins	....	production runner
Patrick Isherwood	....	production accountant
Andrew Jack	....	dialect coach
Debbie Lowndes	....	assistant to producer
Paul McGavin	....	set runner
Michael Prior	....	unit nurse
Adam Richards	....	location manager
Abbe Robinson	....	production assistant
Erin Sahlstrom	....	assistant production coordinator: Los Angeles
Billy Samoa Saleebey	....	production assistant
Isaac Sananes	....	assistant accountant
Patric Scott	....	unit publicist
Allen Wong	....	first assistant accountant
Tim Ballou	....	script clearance manager (uncredited)
Sarah Shepherd	....	location assistant (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Touchstone Pictures (presents)
• Harbour Pictures

Distributors

• Buena Vista International (2003) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International Finland (2003) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International Italia (2003) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista Pictures (2003) (USA) (theatrical)
• Gaumont Buena Vista International (GBVI) (2003) (France) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2004) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International Spain (2004) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Buena Vista Home Video (2004) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (BVHE) (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Buena Vista Home Video (2004) (USA) (VHS)
• Buena Vista International (2004) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2004) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (2004) (Brazil) (DVD) (VHS)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (2004) (Finland) (DVD)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (2004) (Finland) (VHS)
• Gativideo (2004) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Gativideo (2004) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Touchstone Home Video (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• Nelonen (2006) (Finland) (TV)

Special Effects

• Moving Picture Company (MPC) (digital visual effects)
• Cine Image Film Opticals (main and end titles) (digital effects) (opticals)

Other Companies

• Shepperton Studios  movie studio
• ARRI Lighting Rental  lighting
• ARRI Media  camera and grip equipment provided by
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  cranes and dollies
• Compuhire  video playback
• Cutting Edge  negative cutting
• Hollywood Records  soundtrack published by
• Kodak  motion picture film supplied by
• Mad Dog Casting  extras casting
• Production Copier Company  production equipment and services
• Vehicles in Vision  action vehicles supplier

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for nudity, some language and drug-related material.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | UK:12 (video rating) (2003) | UK:12A (original rating) | Hungary:14 | Finland:K-3 | South Korea:15 | Taiwan:R-12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Brazil:12 | Canada:PG | Germany:o.Al. (bw) | Hong Kong:IIA | Netherlands:AL | New Zealand:PG | Norway:A | Peru:PT | Philippines:PG-13 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:NC-16 | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | Switzerland:14 (canton of the Grisons) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #39650)

Filming Locations:

Buckden, North Yorkshire, England, UK

Company:

Touchstone Pictures

Trivia:

Anne Reid was offered a major role, but choose to do Roger Michell's The Mother (2003/I) instead.

Goofs:

Continuity: The flowers behind Annie while she is talking to Marie at home.

Quotes:

Annie: Your son's been arrested.
Chris: And released with 10g of oregano. The only thing that'd be dangerous in is a quiche.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "60 Minutes: High Jinks/The Venom Hunters/The Dame (#29.2)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

You Upset Me Baby

Has some laughs

Based on a true story. There is a Women's Institute in Yorkshire England, a tiny little town. The Institute decides to raise money for new furniture for a local hospital. They decide the only way to raise money is do a nude calendar with members. The problem is all the members are 50+! The calendar is done and is a roaring success. The film focuses on some of the women and how the calendar affects their families and personal lives.

Whimsical is the best way to describe this. It's one of those British comedies that has few laughs, but is very lighthearted and has some serious drama in it. I can't say I loved the movie--the script, while well-written, is scattershot and the light, low-key tone was TOO low-key for me. And some story lines are brought up (one of the women has a cheating husband) and are never resolved. Still, there were some good laughs in it and there is some just beautiful views of (I'm assuming) Yorkshire. Especially incredible is a view of the entire town from on top of a huge rock overlooking the area.

Also we have some wonderful British actresses playing in the lead roles. The two best were Helen Mirren (who's just great--again) and Julie Walters (who looks absolutely stunning). Also this is one of the few films that celebrates the sexuality of women who are 50+. How many movies do you you see like that nowadays? Of course this is a British film--Hollywood would NEVER tell a story like this. Also the film does have some fairly explicit glimpses of female nudity--but they're not sexual in context and ARE needed for the integrity of the story.

I'm giving this a 7.