The Remains of the Day (film)
Updated: 12/20/2025, 11:28:25 AM Wikipedia source
The Remains of the Day is a 1993 drama film adapted from the Booker Prize–winning 1989 novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. The film was directed by James Ivory, produced by Ismail Merchant, Mike Nichols, and John Calley and adapted by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. It stars Anthony Hopkins as James Stevens and Emma Thompson as Miss Kenton, with James Fox, Christopher Reeve, Hugh Grant, Ben Chaplin, and Lena Headey in supporting roles. The film was a critical and box office success and it was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Hopkins), Best Actress (Thompson) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Jhabvala). In 1999, the British Film Institute ranked The Remains of the Day the 64th-greatest British film of the 20th century.
Infobox
Directed by
James Ivory
Screenplay by
mw- Ruth Prawer JhabvalaHarold Pinter (uncredited)
Based on
The Remains of the Dayby Kazuo Ishiguro
Produced by
Ismail MerchantMike NicholsJohn Calley
Starring
Anthony Hopkins Emma Thompson James Fox Christopher Reeve Peter Vaughan Hugh Grant Michael Lonsdale Tim Pigott-Smith
Cinematography
Tony Pierce-Roberts
Edited by
Andrew Marcus
Music by
Richard Robbins
Color process
Technicolor
Productioncompany
Merchant Ivory Productions
Distributed by
Columbia Pictures
Release dates
25 October 1993 (1993-10-25) (Premiere) 4 November 1993 (1993-11-04) (London Film Festival) 5 November 1993 (1993-11-05) (United States)
Running time
134 minutes
Countries
United Kingdom United States
Language
English
Budget
$15 million
Box office
$63.9 million
Tables
· Reception › Accolades
20/20 Awards
20/20 Awards
Award
20/20 Awards
Category
Best Actor
Recipient(s)
Anthony Hopkins
Result
Nominated
Best Actress
Best Actress
Award
Best Actress
Category
Emma Thompson
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Adapted Screenplay
Award
Best Adapted Screenplay
Category
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Costume Design
Best Costume Design
Award
Best Costume Design
Category
Jenny Beavan and John Bright
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Original Score
Best Original Score
Award
Best Original Score
Category
Richard Robbins
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Academy Awards
Academy Awards
Award
Academy Awards
Category
Best Picture
Recipient(s)
John Calley, Mike Nichols and Ismail Merchant
Result
Nominated
Best Director
Best Director
Award
Best Director
Category
James Ivory
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Actor
Best Actor
Award
Best Actor
Category
Anthony Hopkins
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Actress
Best Actress
Award
Best Actress
Category
Emma Thompson
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Screenplay – Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Best Screenplay – Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Award
Best Screenplay – Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Category
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Art Direction
Best Art Direction
Award
Best Art Direction
Category
Art Direction: Luciana Arrighi; Set Decoration: Ian Whittaker
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Costume Design
Best Costume Design
Award
Best Costume Design
Category
Jenny Beavan and John Bright
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Original Score
Best Original Score
Award
Best Original Score
Category
Richard Robbins
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Awards Circuit Community Awards
Awards Circuit Community Awards
Award
Awards Circuit Community Awards
Category
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Recipient(s)
Emma Thompson
Result
Nominated
Best Costume Design
Best Costume Design
Award
Best Costume Design
Category
Jenny Beavan and John Bright
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Production Design
Best Production Design
Award
Best Production Design
Category
Luciana Arrighi and Ian Whittaker
Recipient(s)
Nominated
British Academy Film Awards
British Academy Film Awards
Award
British Academy Film Awards
Category
Best Film
Recipient(s)
Ismail Merchant, Mike Nichols, John Calley, and James Ivory
Result
Nominated
Best Direction
Best Direction
Award
Best Direction
Category
James Ivory
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Award
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Category
Anthony Hopkins
Recipient(s)
Won
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Award
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Category
Emma Thompson
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Adapted Screenplay
Award
Best Adapted Screenplay
Category
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Cinematography
Best Cinematography
Award
Best Cinematography
Category
Tony Pierce-Roberts
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
Award
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
Category
Best Actor
Recipient(s)
Anthony Hopkins
Result
Nominated
Best Actress
Best Actress
Award
Best Actress
Category
Emma Thompson
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Screenplay
Best Screenplay
Award
Best Screenplay
Category
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards
Award
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards
Category
Best Film
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Actor
Best Actor
Award
Best Actor
Category
Anthony Hopkins
Recipient(s)
Won
David di Donatello Awards
David di Donatello Awards
Award
David di Donatello Awards
Category
Best Foreign Film
Recipient(s)
James Ivory
Result
Nominated
Best Foreign Actor
Best Foreign Actor
Award
Best Foreign Actor
Category
Anthony Hopkins
Recipient(s)
Won
Best Foreign Actress
Best Foreign Actress
Award
Best Foreign Actress
Category
Emma Thompson
Recipient(s)
Won
Directors Guild of America Awards
Directors Guild of America Awards
Award
Directors Guild of America Awards
Category
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures
Recipient(s)
James Ivory
Result
Nominated
Evening Standard British Film Awards
Evening Standard British Film Awards
Award
Evening Standard British Film Awards
Category
Best Actress
Recipient(s)
Emma Thompson (Also for Much Ado About Nothing)
Result
Won
Golden Globe Awards
Golden Globe Awards
Award
Golden Globe Awards
Category
Best Motion Picture – Drama
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama
Award
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama
Category
Anthony Hopkins
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama
Award
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama
Category
Emma Thompson
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Director – Motion Picture
Best Director – Motion Picture
Award
Best Director – Motion Picture
Category
James Ivory
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
Award
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
Category
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Goya Awards
Goya Awards
Award
Goya Awards
Category
Best European Film
Recipient(s)
James Ivory
Result
Nominated
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards
Award
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards
Category
Best Actor
Recipient(s)
Anthony Hopkins
Result
Won
Best Actress
Best Actress
Award
Best Actress
Category
Emma Thompson
Recipient(s)
Won
London Film Critics Circle Awards
London Film Critics Circle Awards
Award
London Film Critics Circle Awards
Category
British Film of the Year
Recipient(s)
Won
Director of the Year
Director of the Year
Award
Director of the Year
Category
James Ivory
Recipient(s)
Won
Actor of the Year
Actor of the Year
Award
Actor of the Year
Category
Anthony Hopkins
Recipient(s)
Won
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
Award
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
Category
Best Actor
Recipient(s)
Anthony Hopkins (Also for Shadowlands)
Result
Won
Movieguide Awards
Movieguide Awards
Award
Movieguide Awards
Category
Best Movie for Mature Audiences
Recipient(s)
Won
Nastro d'Argento
Nastro d'Argento
Award
Nastro d'Argento
Category
Best Foreign Director
Recipient(s)
James Ivory
Result
Nominated
National Board of Review Awards
National Board of Review Awards
Award
National Board of Review Awards
Category
Top Ten Films
Recipient(s)
3rd Place
Best Actor
Best Actor
Award
Best Actor
Category
Anthony Hopkins (Also for Shadowlands)
Recipient(s)
Won
National Society of Film Critics Awards
National Society of Film Critics Awards
Award
National Society of Film Critics Awards
Category
Best Actor
Recipient(s)
3rd Place
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
Award
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
Category
Best Actor
Recipient(s)
Runner-up
Best Actress
Best Actress
Award
Best Actress
Category
Emma Thompson (Also for Much Ado About Nothing)
Recipient(s)
Runner-up
Producers Guild of America Awards
Producers Guild of America Awards
Award
Producers Guild of America Awards
Category
Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures
Recipient(s)
Mike Nichols, John Calley, and Ismail Merchant
Result
Nominated
Robert Awards
Robert Awards
Award
Robert Awards
Category
Best Foreign Film
Recipient(s)
James Ivory
Result
Won
Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards
Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards
Award
Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards
Category
Top Ten Films
Recipient(s)
3rd Place
Best Actor
Best Actor
Award
Best Actor
Category
Anthony Hopkins (Also for Shadowlands)
Recipient(s)
Won
Turkish Film Critics Association Awards
Turkish Film Critics Association Awards
Award
Turkish Film Critics Association Awards
Category
Best Foreign Film
Recipient(s)
7th Place
USC Scripter Awards
USC Scripter Awards
Award
USC Scripter Awards
Category
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala (screenwriter); Kazuo Ishiguro (author)
Recipient(s)
Nominated
Writers Guild of America Awards
Writers Guild of America Awards
Award
Writers Guild of America Awards
Category
Best Screenplay – Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Recipient(s)
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Result
Nominated
| Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
| 20/20 Awards | Best Actor | Anthony Hopkins | Nominated |
| Best Actress | Emma Thompson | Nominated | |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Ruth Prawer Jhabvala | Nominated | |
| Best Costume Design | Jenny Beavan and John Bright | Nominated | |
| Best Original Score | Richard Robbins | Nominated | |
| Academy Awards | Best Picture | John Calley, Mike Nichols and Ismail Merchant | Nominated |
| Best Director | James Ivory | Nominated | |
| Best Actor | Anthony Hopkins | Nominated | |
| Best Actress | Emma Thompson | Nominated | |
| Best Screenplay – Based on Material Previously Produced or Published | Ruth Prawer Jhabvala | Nominated | |
| Best Art Direction | Art Direction: Luciana Arrighi; Set Decoration: Ian Whittaker | Nominated | |
| Best Costume Design | Jenny Beavan and John Bright | Nominated | |
| Best Original Score | Richard Robbins | Nominated | |
| Awards Circuit Community Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Emma Thompson | Nominated |
| Best Costume Design | Jenny Beavan and John Bright | Nominated | |
| Best Production Design | Luciana Arrighi and Ian Whittaker | Nominated | |
| British Academy Film Awards | Best Film | Ismail Merchant, Mike Nichols, John Calley, and James Ivory | Nominated |
| Best Direction | James Ivory | Nominated | |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role | Anthony Hopkins | Won | |
| Best Actress in a Leading Role | Emma Thompson | Nominated | |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Ruth Prawer Jhabvala | Nominated | |
| Best Cinematography | Tony Pierce-Roberts | Nominated | |
| Chicago Film Critics Association Awards | Best Actor | Anthony Hopkins | Nominated |
| Best Actress | Emma Thompson | Nominated | |
| Best Screenplay | Ruth Prawer Jhabvala | Nominated | |
| Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards | Best Film | Nominated | |
| Best Actor | Anthony Hopkins | Won | |
| David di Donatello Awards | Best Foreign Film | James Ivory | Nominated |
| Best Foreign Actor | Anthony Hopkins | Won | |
| Best Foreign Actress | Emma Thompson | Won | |
| Directors Guild of America Awards | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures | James Ivory | Nominated |
| Evening Standard British Film Awards | Best Actress | Emma Thompson (Also for Much Ado About Nothing) | Won |
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Motion Picture – Drama | Nominated | |
| Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama | Anthony Hopkins | Nominated | |
| Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama | Emma Thompson | Nominated | |
| Best Director – Motion Picture | James Ivory | Nominated | |
| Best Screenplay – Motion Picture | Ruth Prawer Jhabvala | Nominated | |
| Goya Awards | Best European Film | James Ivory | Nominated |
| Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards | Best Actor | Anthony Hopkins | Won |
| Best Actress | Emma Thompson | Won | |
| London Film Critics Circle Awards | British Film of the Year | Won | |
| Director of the Year | James Ivory | Won | |
| Actor of the Year | Anthony Hopkins | Won | |
| Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards | Best Actor | Anthony Hopkins (Also for Shadowlands) | Won |
| Movieguide Awards | Best Movie for Mature Audiences | Won | |
| Nastro d'Argento | Best Foreign Director | James Ivory | Nominated |
| National Board of Review Awards | Top Ten Films | 3rd Place | |
| Best Actor | Anthony Hopkins (Also for Shadowlands) | Won | |
| National Society of Film Critics Awards | Best Actor | 3rd Place | |
Professional ratings · Soundtrack
Source
Source
Review scores
Source
Review scores
Rating
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Review scores
Entertainment Weekly
Review scores
A
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Entertainment Weekly | A |
References
- "In November 1994, Pinter wrote, "I've just heard that they are bringing another writer into the "Lolita" film. It doesn
- Hudgins adds: "We did not see Pinter's name up in lights when Lyne's Lolita finally made its appearance in 1998. Pinter
- Cf. the essay on the film The Remains of the Day published in Gale's collection by Edward T. Jones: "Pinter gave me a co
- In his 2008 essay published in The Pinter Review, Hudgins discusses further details about why "Pinter elected not to pub
- The Remains of the Day at the AFI Catalog of Feature Filmshttps://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/59638
- "The Remains of the Day"https://web.archive.org/web/20160306194252/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7be2481f
- The Numbershttps://www.the-numbers.com/movies/1993/0ROTD.php
- "British Film Institute – Top 100 British Films' (1999). Retrieved 27 August 2016http://www.cinemarealm.com/best-of-cinema/top-100-british-films/
- "FILM; Merchant-Ivory and Friends: On the Job Again (Published 1993)"http://web.archive.org/web/20130117081117/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/24/movies/film-merchant-ivory-and-friends-on-the-job-again.html
- Queen Meryl: The Iconic Roles, Heroic Deeds, and Legendary Life of Meryl Streep
- Galloway Gazettehttp://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/news/local-headlines/four-weddings-actor-visits-creebridge-1-2660050
- The Life and Death of Adolf Hitlerhttps://archive.org/details/lifedeathofado00gibl
- Stanley Melbourne Bruce: Australian Internationalisthttps://books.google.com/books?id=4Xtm83bT0jIC&q=%22Lord+Halifax%22+appeasement&pg=PA121
- The Times
- The Remains of the Day at Box Office Mojohttps://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=remainsoftheday.htm
- Screen International
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/remains_of_the_day/
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-remains-of-the-day
- CinemaScorehttps://cinemascore.com
- Ebert, Rogerhttps://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-remains-of-the-day-1993
- Washingtonpost.comhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/theremainsofthedaypghowe_a0b009.htm
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/05/movies/review-film-remains-of-the-day-blind-dignity-a-butler-s-story.html
- The Washington Posthttps://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1994/01/09/86-thumbs-up-for-once-the-nations-critics-agree-on-the-years-best-movies/1bbb0968-690e-4c02-9c8b-0c3b4b5b4a1e/
- "The 66th Academy Awards"http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1994
- "Film in 1994"http://awards.bafta.org/award/1994/film
- Chicago Film Critics Associationhttps://chicagofilmcritics.org/awards-blog/archives
- Directors Guild of America Awardshttps://www.dga.org/Awards/History/1990s/1993.aspx?value=1993
- HFPAhttps://www.goldenglobes.com/film/remains-day
- kcfcc.orghttps://kcfcc.org/kcfcc-award-winners-1990-99/
- "Critics' Circle Film of the Year: 1980–2010"https://criticscircle.org.uk/critics-circle-film-year-1980-2010/
- Mubihttps://mubi.com/awards-and-festivals/london-ccfas?year=1994
- Los Angeles Film Critics Associationhttp://www.lafca.net/Years/1993.php
- National Board of Reviewhttps://nationalboardofreview.org/award-years/1993/
- "Past Awards"https://nationalsocietyoffilmcritics.com/about-2/
- New York Film Critics Circlehttps://www.nyfcc.com/awards/?awardyear=1993
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/1994/film/news/laurel-noms-announced-117589/
- sefca.nethttps://www.sefca.net/winners#/1993
- USC Scripter Awardhttps://libraries.usc.edu/scripter/past-scripter-awards
- The Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-03-14-ca-33988-story.html
- "AFI's 100 Years...100 Passions Nominees"http://www.afi.com/Docs/100Years/passions400.pdf
- "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit;Schindler's List;The Piano;Remains of the Day;Addams Family Values;Wayne's World 2;A Perfect World"https://archive.today/20130727192324/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,309067,00.html