The Dressmaker is a 1988 British drama film directed by Jim O'Brien and starring Joan Plowright, Billie Whitelaw and Pete Postlethwaite. It is an adaptation of the 1973 novel The Dressmaker by Beryl Bainbridge.
Contents
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.
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
Release
The film was shown at the London Film Festival on 16 November 1988. It opened in New York and Los Angeles on 14 December.
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."