Ladies in Lavender

Ladies in Lavender is a 2004 British drama film written and directed by Charles Dance. The screenplay is based on a 1908 short story by William J. Locke. The film stars Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Daniel Brühl and Miriam Margolyes.

The Widdington sisters, Janet and Ursula, live in a picturesque coastal Cornwall, in a tight-knit fishing village in 1936. A gifted young Polish violinist from Kraków, Andrea is sailing to America when he is swept overboard from his ship in a storm. The sisters discover the handsome stranger washed up on the beach below their house and nurse him back to health. The presence of the musically talented young man disrupts the peaceful lives of the sisters and Ursula develops romantic feelings for the much younger visitor.

Holidaying artist Olga Danilof, the sister of famed violinist Boris Danilof, becomes interested in Andrea after hearing him play the violin. Olga writes a letter to the sisters, telling them who she is and that she would like to introduce her brother to Andrea. Instead of giving him the letter, understanding her sister has feelings for Andrea, Janet burns it. As time progresses, Olga and Andrea grow closer and one day Andrea angrily confronts the sisters about the letter. Andrea, realizing that Ursula has feelings for him, apologizes for getting angry and they reconcile.

Olga tells her brother of Andrea's talent and he asks to meet Andrea in London. When Andrea meets with Olga to discuss the letter from her brother, she tells him that they must leave on a train immediately because her brother is only in London for twenty-four hours. Although Andrea cares deeply for the sisters, he knows this is his chance to start a career and he leaves with Olga without saying goodbye. The sisters, worried that something has happened to him, call a friend of Andrea's who tells them he saw Andrea and Olga getting on a train. Thinking she will never see him again, Ursula is heartbroken and Janet consoles her as best she can. Andrea later sends them a letter, along with a portrait of himself painted by Olga, thanking them for saving his life and announcing his performance. The sisters travel to London to attend Andrea's first public performance in Britain, while the rest of the village listens in on the radio with Dorcas in the Widdington's home. After exchanging greetings with Andrea, he is pulled away to meet others. Ursula tells her sister they should leave, and the sisters depart, having let Andrea go.

The original story by William Locke was first published on 26 December 1908 in Collier's magazine, Vol. 42, later appearing in book form in his short-story collection Faraway Stories (1916).

Ladies in Lavender was produced by Tale Partnerships and Scala Productions, with funding by Baker Street Media Finance, Paradigm Hyde Films, and the UK Film Council. Lakeshore Entertainment handled the rights to international distribution.

Filming took place in September and October 2003. Exteriors were filmed in Cadgwith, Helston, St. Ives and Prussia Cove in Cornwall. Interiors were filmed at the Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.^{[citation needed]}

The film marked the directorial debut of actor Charles Dance. Longtime friends Maggie Smith and Judi Dench were appearing together in a play in London's West End when Dance first approached them about the project. They immediately accepted his offer without even reading the script. Dance said that Smith and Dench were the only choice for the lead roles and without them the film would not have happened. Freddie Jones thought his part was poor but agreed to do it for the chance to work with Dench. Dance considered Polish actor Krzysztof Siwczyk for the role of Andrea. Producer Nik Powell was impressed by the film Good Bye, Lenin! and suggested German actor Daniel Brühl. The film was the first English-language role for Brühl.