Ladies in Lavender. (2004)

Two sisters befriend a mysterious foreigner who washes up on the beach of their 1930's Cornish seaside village.

Director:

Charles Dance

Writers:

William J. Locke (short story), Charles Dance

Stars:

Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Daniel Brühl

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Judi Dench	...	Ursula
Maggie Smith	...	Janet
Daniel Brühl	...	Andrea
Freddie Jones	...	Jan Pendered
Gregor Henderson-Begg	...	Luke Pendered
Miriam Margolyes	...	Dorcas
David Warner	...	Dr. Francis Mead
Clive Russell	...	Adam Penruddocke
Richard Pears	...	Barry
Natascha McElhone	...	Olga Daniloff
Iain Marshall	...	Fisherman (as Ian Marshall)
Toby Jones	...	Hedley
Trevor Ray	...	Very Old Man 1
John Boswall	...	Very Old Man 2
Joanna Dickens	...	Mrs. Pendered

Storyline

Taking place in pre-war England, aging sisters Ursula and Janet live peacefully in their cottage on the shore of Cornwall. One morning following a violent storm, the sisters spot from their garden a nearly-drowned man lying on the beach. They nurse him back to health, and discover that he is Polish. Communicating in broken German while they teach him English, they learn his name is Andrea and that he is a particularly gifted violinist. His boat was on its way to America, where he is headed to look for a better life. It doesn't take long for them to become attached to Andrea, and they dote on him. Other townspeople, however, have their suspicions, especially when he befriends a German woman, Olga.

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Plot Keywords:

beach | boat | suspicion | storm | 1930s | 

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Taglines:

The story of two sisters who saved a stranger, and the stranger who stole their hearts.

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Mystery | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Filmax [es]

Country:

UK

Language:

English German Polish French

Release Date:

12 November 2004 (UK)

Also Known As:

A levendula illata

Filming Locations:

Cadgwith, Cornwall, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$149,224 (USA) (29 April 2005)

Gross:

$6,759,422 (USA) (28 October 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

UK Film Council, Baker Street, Future Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min 103 min (theatrical)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Charles Dance's son, Oliver Dance, worked as a runner on the production.

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Goofs

When Andrea is peeling potatoes he carves a face in one. When the shot goes back, the face is completely different.

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Quotes

Ursula Widdington: We're learning English.
Janet Widdington: He may be, Ursula. You are making holes in the furniture.

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Crazy Credits

Special thanks to the people of Helston, Cornwall and the people of Cadgwith, Cornwall.

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Connections

Referenced in Clatterford: Ladies in Lavender (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Camborne Hill"
Traditional

User Reviews

A brilliant movie debut from Charles Dance!

I saw Ladies In Lavender recently, and I was going in expecting a boring film, but when I came out, I was pleasantly surprised. The film was...how do I put it...beautiful. Amazing direction. Charles Dance directs with a passion keeping everything important in shot at all times, the mise-en-scene was so mesmerizing. And the script he adapted from a real short story was amazing, just so touching. Brilliant performances from Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith. I smell BAFTAs for this film for categories like Best British Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Music, Best Cinematography and a Best actress award for either Dench or Smith. The film was fantastic! Come February, we'll see Awards for Ladies In Lavender from Worldwide Festivals! GOOD LUCK, LADIES IN LAVENDER!!