There's superb acting in this deep and powerful drama, adapted to the screen by Ronald Harwood, based on his own play, and ably directed by Richard Eyre. It will probably appeal only to a certain slice of viewers, those that can get into a deliberately paced and dialogue driven film and are not looking for an action flick.

The lead actors here Anthony Hopkins, Ian McKellen, Emily Watson, and Sarah Lancashire are all excellent in their roles. with a fine supporting cast enhancing the movie. To be honest, I hadn't heard of Lancashire before, but she was quite amazing in a very understated performance, and one scene with Hopkins was truly mesmerizing.

All in all, I found this film became even more powerful as it progressed and with its superb acting, writing, and direction can certainly be recommended for those that like a heavy and most well presented drama.

Ageing actor known only as 'Sir,' is a stage actor of many talents, but sadly failing health. One night he's due on stage to give a lead role in King Lear, he fails to arrive on time and panic sets in at the Theatre, tensions are raised enough as Nazi bombs fall in the area. Sir arrives eventually, clearly ill and forgetful. He is helped, calmed, coaxed and encouraged by his dresser Norman to prepare and go on. Sir gives a fine performance, but tragically dies.

It's a very famous story, penned by Ronald Harwood, originally adapted back in 1983 when Tom Courtenay and Albert Finney shared the stage, so it felt like time for a refresh.

The casting of Hopkins was brilliant, he was funny, charismatic, stubborn and commanding, I truly thought he was excellent. McKellan I think it's fair to say stole the show as Norman, his performance I can only describe as Wizardry, he was just sensational, and if he doesn't get some kind of award for this I'll be speechless. The interplay between the two was just glorious, talk about two greats showcasing their extraordinary talents.

Every single member of the supporting cast were also brilliant, Emily Watson, Sarah Lancashire, Edward Fox, Vanessa Kirkby, Tom Brooke, what a great job done by the Casting Director.

So many wonderful scenes to speak of, I particularly liked Hopkins transformation scene into King Lear, an I also loved how expertly McKellen went from sober to drunk.

Overall 9/10 (Very close to being worth the License Fee alone.)

Ronald Harwood's stage play was adapted for film in 1983 and received multiple Oscar nominations and a fruity performance from Albert Finney.

Harwood's play has now been adapted for television. Harwood wanted it to be a stage revival with Anthony Hopkins but he called time on his stage career several decades ago and so we get Hopkins for the television film.

I remember soon after Laurence Olivier died, it was Hopkins who introduced a special tribute programme on the BBC. Then he was regarded as an actor who never quiet fulfilled his immense talent on the stage or screen. He had been Olivier's understudy at the National Theater. Wild living and booze got the better off him. Hopkins was not averse to do highly paid thrash like Hollywood Wives for American television. He would also do more credible British television films, usually for the BBC and every now and then wow the stage in plays such as David Hare's Pravda.

Within a few years after that introduction of that tribute to Olivier, Hopkins entered his own golden era first by bagging a best actor Oscar for Silence of the Lambs. He would get three other Oscar nominations in the 1990s and got to work with directors such as Spielberg and Oliver Stone. He would be regarded as one of the best actors of his generation.

In The Dresser Hopkins returns to BBC television after some years and teams up with Ian McKellen for the first time on-screen. McKellen is the loyal, camp, alcoholic dresser to Hopkin's Sir, the domineering actor-manager (based on Sir Donald Wolfit) touring up and down the various stages of Britain during World War 2.

In his advancing years and in ill health, he is not up to playing the big roles, in this case King Lear. He needs all the help from his Dresser just to get on the stage and recite the opening lines.

Hopkins lays bare an actor who once thrilled the crowd, womanised, was adored and is self absorbed. Emily Watson plays the much maligned wife who in many ways has had enough of him, always playing second fiddle to the detriment of her own career. Then again so has the waspish McKellen and we see in the end as his anger and vindictiveness bubbles through.

Director Richard Eyre has deliberately not opened the play up too much. It is kept small and intimate. We get to see Hopkins deliver bits of King Lear as Sir gets to the stage and delivers one big final performance. Look out for Edward Fox playing an actor drafted in at the last moment to play the Fool who delivers a tender monologue when he drops by to pay his respects to Sir after the performance.