Product ReviewsThe Remains of the Day (DVD, 1993)

A Gem of A Story

Anthony Hopkins & Emma Thompson are perfectly cast in this well told story of df British servants, the time they sacrifice to their employers and “the remains of the day.” I enjoy re-watching from time to time with it’s superb setting. Refreshing to see Hugh Grant in a straight-laced, albeit, charming role. Read full review...

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Not crazy about the title or the film I'm afraid!

This Merchant Ivory film is well done BUT -..The script is long & boring, Emma Thompson's performance is excellent but Anthony Hopkins by contrast is wooden. Christopher Reeves completely miscast.

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A Modern Cinematic and Cultural Masterpiece

In an unexpected twist, Anthony Hopkins stars as...a butler...in this movie adaptation of the famous Kazuo Ishiguro novel, which sets s fictitious storyline in the days prior to the outbreak of World War 2 in Europe.

It is the era where professional politicians are unheard-of in Europe. Lords, Dames and other nobles/statespeople across Europe dictate foreign interrelations; guile abounds, especially in light of the oncoming Nazi War Machine, replete with its "Final Solution to the Jewish Question" agenda. Lord Darlington's estate becomes Ground Zero for much of these meetings, oftentimes tense, and it is in this setting we find the unwavering James Stevens (Hopkins), with servitude high and neutrality unflappable, cater to all while witnessing all...seen and yet not-seen, a passive witness to history in the making.

All the while, Stevens wrestles with matters of social and personal conscience, a dying father (also a butler) and the subtle come-ons of a fellow servant. Fully aware of the events around him, Stevens must fight to maintain composure, dignity and even sanity.

After the war, with Darlington disgraced, forgotten by British haute society and eventually laid to rest, Stevens remains with the estate and caters to its new owner: US Congressman Jack Lewis, played masterfully by Christopher Reeve (his final role before his tragic accident). Reeve sets his own unique stage as a US delegate to a prewar Darlington-hosted round-table meeting by, at first, becoming the "warmonger" whipping-boy and then, amazingly, turning the tables of shame upon his fellow dignitaries...with stunning clarity, command and class. Although disgraced by his European colleagues, his stature and office would endure and outlast theirs through the war, and Stevens would become his willing "gentleman's gentleman" when he assumes Darlington's estate.

More so than merely the events of pre-, mid- and post-WW2, this movie depicts the history of a butler, how he reconciles himself with both the current events of his time and his own personal dilemmas...as well as his ongoing quest to maintain his sanity and poise as he segues into his aging years, starting over in a new, postwar England.

The characters are deep, masterfully portrayed by outstanding actors, the plot is thorough and clear in spite of its bouncing flashbacks, it is extremely difficult to find a movie that delivers so well on so many levels as this one does. Even people who are not interested in this genre of movie will find it amazingly edifying, as I did. This is one of the few movies which I will give a 10 out of 10, it is simply that good.Read full review...

Beautiful Story About Regret & Workoholism

In the "Upstairs-Downstairs" tradition, this 1993 movie tells multiple stories, but the main theme revolves around the dedication of the head butler to the lord of a huge mansion in England during the 1930s.

Mr. Stevens (Anthony Hopkins) is the ideal servant in the English tradition. He serves his employer Lord Darlington (James Fox) to the utmost and demands and gets perfection from his staff. The ideal housekeeper Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson) arrives at a particularly stressful time when meetings about the future of Germany are being held at the manor. Stevens is totally oblivious about the nature of the meetings and is absolutely involved in meeting the needs of the guests and Lord Darlington.

Never mind that his aging father, Mr. Stevens Sr., as the under-butler is making BIG mistakes and that two good Jewish employees have to be fired as Lord Darlington demands, Stevens ignores all the personal details of the job--even the fact that Miss Kenton is falling in love with him and is oh-so-emotional about wanting a commitment from him.

And Lord Darlington is making BIG mistakes too. He has a German friend who was so humiliated by the Treaty of Versailles after WWI that he committed suicide. Lord Darlington therefore is trying to create an alliance with Nazi Germany to make up for the inequities of the treaty. Through flashbacks from the 1950s, we learn that Darlington was later accused of treason and so humiliated lost Darlington Hall to an American congressman, Mr. Lewis (Christopher Reeve), who has retired to England.

This movie was nominated for many Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor (Hopkins), Best Actress (Thompson), Best Director (James Ivory), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Ruth Prawer Jhabvala). It won none.

It was wonderful to see Christopher Reeve in what must have been his last performance before his tragic accident. Although he has only a supporting role, seeing him well helped erase my memories of what happened to him.

This DVD provides lots of Special Features and Subtitles in many languages--a real plus in my book.

The title of this movie is very mistifying unless you look deep under the surface. It is never a quote from the movie nor is it a simple truism that we know. All that I can gather is that Regret is the Remains of the Day. So sad! But a truly great movie in the British fashion!Read full review...

Duty IS his life~ Butler Hopkins SHINES~ excellent~

PLOT: 3 stories merge in this gem of a tale about the perfect Butler Stevens (Hopkins) and the Pro Nazi Engish Lord (James Fox ) and house keeper Emma Thompson. excellent all around~

1930S JUST BEFORE WORLD WAR 2~ AND ENGLISHMAN~ Lord Darlington (James Fox) is has very pro Nazi VIEWS where the Germans are busy attempting to use him to pacify England while Germany heads to war~ running his lovely home is is the perfect butler~ Stevens (Anthony Hopkins) who keeps his emotions and thoughts to himself. He finally meets his match in the pretty and outspoken house keeper (Emma Thompson) as the horror OF watching the Lord (Fox) being duped by the Nazis, Stevens continues running the house perfectly always reflecting THAT devotion and duty to his master Lording Darling. The Passion between house keeper and butler comes in the form of verbal altercations which keep this more than entertaining. a wonderful support cast includes Christopher Reeve and Hugh Grant. The story unfolds in reflections by Stevens and as he finally meets Thompson 20 years later he finally has the chance to show her how much she really meant to him~
Classy, excellent script and costumes, lovely homes and scenery~ add to the wonderful story of private lives of the aristoracy and the people who keep their lives running so well~ at 2 hours 14 minutes~ it goes on a bit too long~but still we are glued to see how this exellent story ends.
I GIVE IT 5 OUT OF 5~

IF YOU FOUND THIS REVIEW HELPFUL PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE~Read full review...

Outstanding and perfectly cast.

I never get tired of this movie. Can't imagine anyone else playing the part of Mr. Stevens and Miss Kenton, played so elegantly by these outstanding actors that you can feel their love, frustration, and pain. The ending left me a little sad and wanting more for these characters, yet it was perfect.Read full review...

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A "must have" for all fans of British culture!

This movie speaks to the very sad loss of potential in human existentialism with the destruction of the capacities to care in a truly open and giving manner on the part of so many who feel too tortured by the demand of everyday existing in an environment so attuned to the needs of decorum and observation of rituals in denial of the needs of genuine human emotion in a truly caring sense that needs genuine empathy and sensitivity in order to survive and in fact thrive. Emma Thompson is unforgettable as a gal who does not get her fair due in this environment and is unable to leave it given all her ties to the system which has given her so much in the way of articulation prowess and the ability to think with supreme intelligence. That all said, she is a frustrated individual who needs some real care and warmth that goes beyond polite civilities which last for moments at a time with vary degrees of nourishment to her spirit. Anthony Hopkins is a man of some great intellect and despite having some anachronistic ideas of his place in the world, is a true gentleman in that he seeks to serve that which is good and worthwhile at the end of the day. This movie should be in every public library and in every home.Read full review...

Anthony Hopkins stars

REMAINS OF THE DAY: as Stevens, the perfect English butler--an ideal carried by him to fanatical lengths--as he serves his master, Lord Darlington, beautifully played by James Fox. Darlington, like many other members of the British establishment in the 1930's, is duped by the Nazis into trying to establish a rapport between themselves and the British government. Emma Thompson stars as the estate's housekeeper, a high-spirited, strong-minded young woman who watches the goings-on upstairs with horror.

Despite her apprehensions, she and Stevens gradually fall in love, though neither will admit it, and only give vent to their charged feelings via fierce arguments.Read full review...

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A GREAT LOVE STORY

Such a heartwarming and insightful story regarding the life of the staff. Great performance by Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. You can tell they had feelings for each other, but were waiting for the other to show and/or admit it. Never get tired of watching it.Read full review...

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Remains of the Day sums up what the characters do in their very little personal time.

Remains of the Day is one of my most favorite movies. I appreciate the perfomances given by Sir Anthony Hopkins and the remarkable Emma Thompson. I must admit this movie brings me to tears everytime I view it. I am so glad to finally have a copy for my collection.Read full review...

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An unforgetable film

I first saw this movie at a movie theater and have never forgotten its high quality acting and story.
I have purchased this dvd with that in mind, intending to view it again, hopefully with my significant other, knowing she will enjoy it.Read full review...

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