The Dressmaker (1988 film)

This article is about the British 1988 film. For the Australian film from 2015, see The Dressmaker (2015 film).

The Dressmaker is a 1988 British drama film directed by Jim O'Brien and starring Joan Plowright, Billie Whitelaw and Pete Postlethwaite.^[2] It is an adaptation of the 1973 novel The Dressmaker by Beryl Bainbridge.

The Dressmaker
Directed by	Jim O'Brien
Written by	John McGrath
Based on	The Dressmaker by Beryl Bainbridge
Produced by	Steve Clark-Hall John McGrath Ronald Shedlo
Starring	Joan Plowright Billie Whitelaw Jane Horrocks
Cinematography	Michael Coulter
Edited by	William Diver
Music by	George Fenton
Production companies	British Screen Productions Channel Four Films
Distributed by	Euro American Pictures
Release date	October 16, 1988 (1988-10-16) (United States)
Running time	92 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Budget	£1.28 million[1]

Plot

Set during the Second World War in England, the story concerns a claustrophobic relationship between two middle-aged sisters and their fragile 17-year-old niece.

Production

Some scenes were shot on location in Liverpool, including at Liverpool Cathedral.^[3]

The costume designer for The Dressmaker was Academy Award-nominated British designer Judy Moorcroft.

Cast

• Joan Plowright – Nellie
• Billie Whitelaw – Margo
• Pete Postlethwaite – Jack
• Jane Horrocks – Rita
• Tim Ransom – Wesley
• Pippa Hinchley – Val
• Rosemary Martin – Mrs Manders
• Tony Haygarth – Mr Manders
• Michael James Reed – Chuck
• Sam Douglas – Corporal Zawadski
• Bert Parnaby – Mr Barnes
• Lorraine Ashbourne – Factory Girl
• Mandy Walsh – Factory Girl
• Margi Clarke – Shopwoman
• Andrew Moorcroft – Butcher's Boy
• Marie Jelliman – Mrs O'Toole

Reception

Time Out Magazine reported: "John McGrath's wittily scripted adaptation of Beryl Bainbridge's novel is played with stylish gusto by all concerned. Horrocks plays the innocent so well that you feel like strangling her; Plowright and Whitelaw are a joy throughout."^[4]