Dame Judi Denchis a giant of British cinema, with a career spanning over six decades across both stage and screen.Dench has formidable range, butshe’s particularly good at playing authority figures or people with power, particularly royalty. Indeed, she’s been Oscar-nominated several times for playing monarchs, and won in 1999 for her portrayal ofElizabeth I. She’s similarly commanding as M inJames Bond.
With this in mind, this list looks at some of Dench’s strongest projects. The following ten films are among the best showcases of her talents, whether she’s playing an unyielding ruler or a fragile person battling ill health. They prove that Dench is a true screen icon, with the ability to quietly steal scenes and bring complex characters to life.
10’Mrs Henderson Presents' (2005)
Directed by Stephen Frears
“Well, I suppose you think that’s very funny, do you?“Mrs Hendersonis one of the perhaps lesser-known movies from directorStephen Frears(Prick Up Your Ears,Philomena). It features Dench as Laura Henderson, a recently widowed socialite in 1930s London who seeks a new purpose by purchasing the Windmill Theatre. Determined to make it a success, she collaborates with Vivian Van Damm (Bob Hoskins) to stage variety shows. Facing stiff competition, Mrs. Henderson proposes introducing nude performers, a bold move that challenges social norms, attracting both controversy and acclaim.
The movie might not be all that ambitious or groundbreaking, but it’s breezy and entertaining in its own way. The costumes and sets look great, the music is catchy, andDench is endearing in the part.She’s stately yet audacious, regal, and playful, substantially elevating the material (even if the movie could have given her a little more to work with). Her dynamic with Hoskins is also fun and sharply written.
Mrs. Henderson Presents
9’Mrs Brown' (1997)
Directed by John Madden
“I am not the woman you think I am.“ Dench delivers a poignant performance here asQueen Victoria, depicting her deep mourning followingPrince Albert’s death. Withdrawing from public life, the monarch finds solace in her servant, ScotsmanJohn Brown(Billy Connolly), whose straightforward manner and loyalty rekindle her spirit. Their close relationship, however, sparks rumors, and the other royals grow unhappy with Brown’s rising influence at court.
This is an unusually intimate story about a sovereign, really focusing on one person’s grappling with profound loss. It works because the lead characters come across as real. Brown is the only one brave enough to treat Victoria like a person rather than just a queen, while Victoria is weighed down by sorrow but gradually reclaiming her sense of purpose. The stars have tremendous chemistry, and it’s a treat to watch them on screen together. Dench plays the part with subtlety and grace, earning an Oscar nod for her efforts.
8’The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' (2011)
“Nothing here has worked out quite as I expected.“Mrs BrowndirectorJohn Madden(Shakespeare in Love,Operation Mincemeat) also helmedthis feel-good comedy-dramaabout a group of British retirees who travel to India to reside in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Upon arrival, they discover it is far from luxurious but find themselves embarking on life-changing adventures. Dench has top billing as Evelyn Greenslade, a recently widowed woman seeking a fresh start.
The finished product is a sweet movie boasting several strong performances from its veteran cast, includingBill Nighy,Tom Wilkinson, andMaggie Smith. While limited in scope, the screenplay is tender and, at times, surprisingly deep. The cinematography is also sumptuous and vivid, really bringing the Indian backdrop to life. CinematographerBen Davis(whose diverse body of work includes the likes ofAvengers: Age of UltronandThe Banshees of Inisherin) paints a stunning portrait of India’s crowded markets, especially, bursting with color and constant motion.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
7’Shakespeare in Love' (1998)
“I know something of a woman in a man’s profession. Yes, by God, I do know about that.“ Dench won an Oscar for her brief but impactful appearance as Queen Elizabeth I in this fictionalized period piece. (It was actually the second-shortest Oscar-winning performance ever, clocking in at 5 minutes and 52 seconds). Dench’s Elizabeth is authoritative and insightful, with a commanding presence (and razor-sharp tongue) that demonstrates the actress’s unmatched talent for playing royalty.
Shakespeare in Loveis infamous for beating outSaving Private Ryanfor Best Picture, butit’s probably overhated, and is delightful in its own way.The Shakespeare references and in-jokes are great fun, and it’s a fantastic celebration of the theater. Unlike most period dramas that take themselves so seriously that any hint of historical inaccuracy feels jarring, this movie gets playful, melding fact and fiction (in particular, weaving in elements of the Bard’s plays) to make something fresh.
Shakespeare in Love
6’Iris' (2001)
Directed by Richard Eyre
“We are all just children, trying to find the right way.“Irischronicles the life of acclaimed British novelist and philosopherIris Murdoch, focusing on her enduring marriage toJohn Bayley(Jim Broadbent) and her battle with Alzheimer’s. Dench plays the older Iris (Kate Winsletis the younger), capturing her vibrant intellect as well as her mind’s later decline. The film juxtaposes Murdoch’s past and present, creating a hard-hitting and emotional character study.
The narrative structure, while inventive, occasionally wanders off on tangents, and some stretches understandably become very bleak, but the strength of the lead performances is enough to compensate. While Dench and Winslet are stellar,it was Broadbent who went on to win Oscar gold.He does a lot of heavy lifting here, very much showcasing his dramatic chops. It makes for a striking contrast to his performance as cabaret proprietor Harold Zidler inMoulin Rouge!, released the same year.
5’Chocolat' (2000)
Directed by Lasse Hallström
“I think we’ve all earned some little indulgence.“Chocolatcenters on Vianne Rocher (Juliette Binoche), a mysterious chocolatier who arrives in a quiet French town and opens a shop that challenges the place’s conservative values.Johnny Deppappears as the Romani leader Roux, while Dench plays Armande Voizin, a stubborn, free-spirited elderly woman who refuses to conform to the village’s rules.
Armande, estranged from her overly strict daughter, finds solace in Vianne’s chocolates and warm demeanor, rekindling her relationship with her grandson, Luc.Dench brings a fierce wit and defiance to Armande, portraying her as someone who embraces pleasure and refuses to be constrained, even in the face of her declining health. As a whole,Chocolatis fairly formulaic but still entertaining, light and sweet like one of Vianne’s confections. The movie is unabashedly crowd-pleasing and feel-good, which is sometimes exactly what one needs. DirectorLasse Hallströmimbues the movie with magical realism, making it feel almost like a fairy tale.
4’Belfast' (2021)
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
“The Irish were born for leaving. Otherwise, the rest of the world would have no pubs.” Based onKenneth Branagh’s own childhood,Belfastisa portrait of a working-class family torn in Northern Irelandbetween staying in their home or fleeing the escalating violence of the late 1960s. Dench plays the wise and loving grandmother to young Buddy (Jude Hill), providing a comforting presence during the turbulence of The Troubles.
Dench’s performance is understated yet affecting, helping to ground the film. She’s lovely without being sentimental. In this regard, Dench is the perfect fit for the movie, which is told through a nostalgic lens but strives not to be overly cutesy. Thanks to all these elements, Belfast adds up to an intimate snapshot, a slice of history that places the people front and center. It might not make any grand statements or push any boundaries, but its authenticity makes it one of the actor-director’s very best projects.
3’Notes on a Scandal' (2006)
“People like Sheba think they know what it is to be lonely, but of the drip, drip of long-haul, no-end-in-sight solitude, they know nothing.” Dench steps out of her comfort zone in this psychological thriller, turning in a chilling performance as lonely, manipulative schoolteacher Barbara Covett. Barbara becomes obsessed with her younger colleague, Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett). When Barbara discovers that Sheba is having an affair with a student, she uses this secret to control her, weaving a psychological web that gradually tightens.
These characters must have been challenging to play, and the plot treads incredibly gray and tricky territory, yetDench and Blanchett make it look easy. They’re both tremendous in different ways, and their battle of wits becomes delectably dark. The movie is smart and suspenseful, delving into twisted psychological terrain while remaining briskly paced and engaging. It clocks in at a lean 91 minutes, using every scene for maximum dramatic effect.
Notes On A Scandal
2’Philomena' (2013)
“These nuns, they made me sign a paper. I signed it, but it wasn’t my choice. They said I had committed a sin.” This gem from director Stephen Frears tells the true story ofPhilomena Lee(Dench), an Irish woman who spent decades searching for the son she was forced to give up for adoption. The film follows her journey with journalistMartin Sixsmith(Steve Coogan, who co-wrote the screenplay), who reluctantly takes on her story, only to be deeply moved by her unwavering hope and forgiveness.
Dench and Coogan are wonderful on screen together. The former is warm, funny, and quietly resilient, conveying so much with just a glance or the subtlest of expressions, while Coogan, mostly known for comedies, more than holds his on dramatically. The movie uses these characters to make an urgent statement on the injustice many women suffered in mid-20th century Ireland, but without ever becoming didactic.
1’Casino Royale' (2006)
Directed by Martin Campbell
“Any thug can kill. I want you to take your ego out of the equation and judge the situation dispassionately.” Claiming the top spot on this list isCasino Royale, the first Bond film to pair Dench withDaniel Craig. Dench plays the legendary M with fierce intelligence and steely, redefining the role of 007’s boss for a new era. In this one, she oversees Bond’s transition from reckless operative to the sophisticated spy fans know and love.
WithCasino Royale, directorMartin Campbellrebooted the series with a grittier, more grounded approach, andDench’s performance adapts seamlessly to the darker tone. M’s dynamic with Bond is one of the film’s strongest elements, with Dench striking a tricky balance between critical superior and protective mentor. While not royalty, M’s power and status give her a similar air of command, which Dench excels at delivering. She seems to have a lot of fun with the part, and does it so well that she was given even more prominence later inSkyfall.
