The Remains of the Day

Released Nov 5, 1993

2h 15m

Drama

List

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.

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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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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

David Hunter

Hollywood Reporter

Beautiful to look at and deeply moving in many scenes.

Nov 5, 2019

Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

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

Feb 11, 2008

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

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

Rated: 4/4

Feb 4, 2024

Full Review

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

Full Review

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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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 out of 5 stars

06/14/24

Full Review

Marit Risto F

Disaster! They've destroyed the end of the story completely

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 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 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 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 out of 5 stars

01/10/24

Full Review

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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: Official Clip - Goodbye