The Remains of the Day (1993)

Based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s acclaimed novel, The Remains of the Day is a poignant period drama directed by James Ivory, starring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. It is a story of dignity, repression, loyalty, and the cost of missed opportunities—wrapped in the restrained world of an English butler. Below is a comprehensive guide to the film, touching on its story, themes, and production details.

Detailed Summary

The Introduction: A Butler of Absolute Dignity

The film begins in the 1950s with Stevens (Anthony Hopkins), the butler of Darlington Hall, who receives a letter from Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson), a former housekeeper at the estate. This prompts Stevens to take a road trip through the English countryside to visit her, reflecting along the way on his past life and choices.

Life at Darlington Hall in the 1930s

Through flashbacks, we see Darlington Hall in its heyday, where Lord Darlington (James Fox) frequently hosts high-profile political meetings. Stevens is the model of duty, embodying dignity and professionalism, suppressing every personal emotion in service of his employer. His devotion to duty blinds him to the growing signs that Lord Darlington is naively supporting appeasement with Nazi Germany.

The Tension with Miss Kenton

One of the film’s most delicate threads is the relationship between Stevens and Miss Kenton. She is warm, intelligent, and subtly attempts to draw Stevens into a more personal, emotional connection. Despite their closeness, Stevens never breaks from his role. Even in moments when Miss Kenton is practically begging for him to acknowledge his feelings, Stevens deflects or hides behind his duties. Their exchanges are both tender and heartbreaking.

Political Blindness and Duty Above All

The film also emphasizes the moral blindness that comes with rigid loyalty. Stevens defends Lord Darlington even as the man becomes entangled in disastrous political sympathies. The butler refuses to acknowledge the wrongs of his employer, insisting it is not his place to question but only to serve. This unquestioning devotion becomes central to Stevens’ personal tragedy.

Movie Ending

In the final act, Stevens finally meets Miss Kenton, now Mrs. Benn. They reminisce about the past, and she confesses that though her marriage has had struggles, she intends to remain with her husband. For Stevens, this is the devastating confirmation of what he has long repressed: he loved Miss Kenton but never admitted it, and now the chance has passed forever.

As he leaves, Stevens watches her board a bus, her figure fading into the distance, symbolizing the life he could have had but let slip away. Back at Darlington Hall, he resumes his work for the new American owner, Mr. Lewis (Christopher Reeve). In the film’s final moments, Stevens attempts to catch a pigeon trapped in the main hall. The act is symbolic: he frees the bird, but unlike the pigeon, he remains trapped in the cage of his own choices. The ending is deeply melancholic—about wasted opportunities, emotional repression, and the irreversible passage of time.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No. The film ends quietly and conclusively. There are no post-credits scenes, fitting the reflective, restrained nature of the story.

Type of Movie

This is a historical drama and romantic tragedy, blending elements of political intrigue with a deeply personal story of missed chances and repressed love.

Cast

• Anthony Hopkins as Stevens
• Emma Thompson as Miss Kenton (later Mrs. Benn)
• James Fox as Lord Darlington
• Christopher Reeve as Congressman Jack Lewis
• Hugh Grant as Reginald Cardinal
• Michael Lonsdale as Dupont d’Ivry

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Richard Robbins, a frequent collaborator with Merchant-Ivory productions. His restrained, melancholic music perfectly complements the film’s atmosphere of quiet tragedy.

Filming Locations

Filming took place primarily in England, with Darlington Hall represented by Powderham Castle in Devon and Dyrham Park in Gloucestershire. These stately homes bring authenticity to the setting, highlighting the grandeur and decline of the English aristocracy. The road trip sequences capture the pastoral beauty of the countryside, contrasting Stevens’ rigid inner world with the freedom outside.

Awards and Nominations

The film was critically acclaimed and received 8 Academy Award nominations, including:

• Best Picture
• Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins)
• Best Actress (Emma Thompson)
• Best Director (James Ivory)
• Best Screenplay (Ruth Prawer Jhabvala)

It did not win any Oscars, but it won BAFTA awards for Best Actor (Hopkins) and Best Actress (Thompson), and remains one of Merchant-Ivory’s most respected works.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Anthony Hopkins reportedly prepared for his role by studying real-life butlers, learning their gestures and mannerisms.
• Emma Thompson has said the emotional restraint required was one of her most challenging roles.
• The novel’s author, Kazuo Ishiguro, praised Hopkins’ portrayal as “uncannily perfect.”
• Christopher Reeve’s role was added to highlight the American perspective in post-war Britain.

Inspirations and References

The movie is directly adapted from Kazuo Ishiguro’s 1989 Booker Prize-winning novel. Themes of repression, lost opportunities, and duty versus personal freedom are central to Ishiguro’s work. The film stays close to the novel, though condenses some subplots for runtime.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No alternate ending was filmed. However, some of Miss Kenton’s letters in the novel provide more ambiguity about her happiness, while the film emphasizes her commitment to her marriage more clearly. A few minor subplots were trimmed, including more political discussions in the hall.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film is a faithful adaptation, but it simplifies some of the political nuances of the novel. The book delves deeper into Stevens’ internal monologue, giving readers direct access to his rationalizations and blindness. The film instead relies on Hopkins’ nuanced performance to convey the same repression and regret.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Miss Kenton catching Stevens reading a sentimental book, and his flustered denial.
• The emotional scene where Miss Kenton confronts Stevens about his lack of humanity.
• Stevens ignoring his dying father’s passing while continuing his duties during a dinner party.
• The bittersweet reunion between Stevens and Miss Kenton in the 1950s.

Iconic Quotes

• “Dignity is not something one can fake.”
• “You see, I am placing my trust in you to represent my best interests.”
• Miss Kenton: “Why, Mr. Stevens, why do you always hide behind your duties?”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Stevens’ obsession with “dignity” subtly mirrors the British Empire’s decline—pride maintained despite moral compromise.
• The pigeon at the end symbolizes freedom denied to Stevens himself.
• Ishiguro himself has said the story was inspired partly by the idea of unreliable memory and personal denial.

Trivia

• Anthony Hopkins considered this role one of his favorites.
• Hopkins and Thompson reunited in Howards End (1992) and The Remains of the Day within just a year.
• The film is often ranked among the greatest British films of all time.

Why Watch?

If you appreciate character-driven drama, subtle storytelling, and emotionally devastating performances, this film is a must-watch. It’s not about action or spectacle—it’s about what is left unsaid, the small human moments, and the lifelong weight of choices not taken.

Director’s Other Movies

• A Room with a View (1985)
• Maurice (1987)
• Howards End (1992)
• The Golden Bowl (2000)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Howards End (1992)
• Atonement (2007)
• Gosford Park (2001)
• The English Patient (1996)
• Bright Star (2009)