The Remains of the Day

96%

Tomatometer

48 Reviews

90%

Audience Score

10,000+ Ratings

During the 1930s, James Stevens (Anthony Hopkins) serves as a proper English butler to the doltish Lord Darlington (James Fox). Stevens is so dedicated that he forgoes visiting his father on his deathbed in order to serve, and overlooks Darlington's Nazi sympathies and growing anti-Semitism. Twenty years after his employer's death, Stevens tries to reconnect with Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson), Darlington's head housekeeper, and begins to regret his loyalty to his former master. Read More Read Less

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The Remains of the Day

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Smart, elegant, and blessed with impeccable performances from Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson, The Remains of the Day is a Merchant-Ivory classic.

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Critics Reviews

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The Remains of the Day | Rotten Tomatoes (1)

Chris Bennion

Times (UK)

Anthony Hopkins is magnificent as Stevens, with his blinkered code of honour, and Emma Thompson his match as the housekeeper.

Sep 8, 2023

Full Review

The Remains of the Day | Rotten Tomatoes (2)

David Hunter

Hollywood Reporter

Beautiful to look at and deeply moving in many scenes.

Nov 5, 2019

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The Remains of the Day | Rotten Tomatoes (3)

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

The actors keep this interesting, but as a story it drifts and rambles.

Feb 11, 2008

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The Remains of the Day | Rotten Tomatoes (4)

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a slow-moving yet increasingly absorbing drama...

Rated: 4/4

Feb 4, 2024

Full Review

The Remains of the Day | Rotten Tomatoes (5)

Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

Sublime filmmaking and performances turn Stevens’ every minute choice into a pillar of profound tragedy, giving us a maddeningly heartwrenching life lesson for the ages.

Aug 25, 2023

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The Remains of the Day | Rotten Tomatoes (6)

Allison Rose

FlickDirect

The Remains of the Day is the perfect storm of writing, directing and acting.

Rated: 4.5/5

Mar 3, 2023

Full Review

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Audience Reviews

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Mark H Superb acting fails to lift this film from implausibly written characters, little character development, and an unsatisfying ending. The book's ending was better handled. Rated 2/5 Stars • Rated 2 out of 5 stars 06/14/24 Full Review Marit Risto F Disaster! They've destroyed the end of the story completely Rated 1/5 Stars • Rated 1 out of 5 stars 04/30/24 Full Review John A Hopkins and Thompson give powerhouse turns in this delicate historical drama that paints the typically invisible mansion butler in a stirring heart-wrenching light Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/28/24 Full Review Zinjx W Intense and passionate drama, one of Merchant and Ivory's best. Hopkins is perfectly cast as the traditional butler Stevens who helpless lets life slip out of his hands and has to admit that his priorities have only brought him disappointment. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/07/24 Full Review David W A thoughtful, touching and impactful story which is beautifully written, directed and blessed by two of the finest central performances you will ever see. A classic of its genre and a film that stays with you long after the end credits roll. A timeless triumph. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/17/24 Full Review Alec B I continue to maintain that this is the masterpiece of Merchant/Ivoy productions. Neither too heavy handed nor too subtle, the film is bolstered by Hopkins and Thompson at their absolute best. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/10/24 Full Review Read all reviews

The Remains of the Day

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Cast & Crew

James Ivory Director Anthony Hopkins Stevens Emma Thompson Miss Kenton James Fox Lord Darlington Christopher Reeve Lewis Peter Vaughan Father

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The Remains of the Day

The Remains of the Day: Official Clip - Goodbye