Stephen Frears

Stephen Frears

1941-06-20 Leicester, England, UK 102 Credits

Biography

Stephen Arthur Frears (born 20 June 1941) is an English director and producer. He has directed numerous acclaimed films since the early 1980s, including My Beautiful Laundrette (1985), Dangerous Liaisons (1988), The Grifters (1990), High Fidelity (2000), The Queen (2006), Philomena (2013), Florence Foster Jenkins (2016), and Victoria & Abdul (2017). He has received two nominations for the Academy Award for Best Director. Frears is also known for his work on various television programs, includin...

Known For

Filter by:

Complete Filmography

Alec Guinness: A Class Act

Alec Guinness: A Class Act

2024

as self

6.0
Acting

The story of one of Britain's most celebrated actors of the 20th century, told by those who knew and admired him.

A Look Through His Lens

A Look Through His Lens

2024

as Self

Acting

Oscar-winning cinematographer Philippe Rousselot offers a master class in image making, with insightful examples from his work on Diva, Hope and Glory...

The Rise of the Comic Strip

The Rise of the Comic Strip

2023

as Self

Acting

Documentary about the beginnings and the Channel 4 years of the Comic Strip.

Hans Zimmer: Hollywood Rebel

Hans Zimmer: Hollywood Rebel

2022

as Self

7.2
Acting

An in-depth look of the 40 year journey, from post-war Germany to Hollywood royalty, of Hans Zimmer, the man who’s become the dominant force in the wo...

The Lost King

The Lost King

2022

Director

6.5
Directing

An amateur historian defies the academic establishment in her efforts to find King Richard III's remains, which were lost for over 500 years.

Short Cuts: Dangerous Liaisons

Short Cuts: Dangerous Liaisons

2021

Original Film Writer

Writing
In The Tracks Of - Alexandre Desplat

In The Tracks Of - Alexandre Desplat

2020

as Self

2.0
Acting

Alexandre Desplat is one of the most famous film music composer of today. Innovative artist with a singular expression, he is the successor of french ...

Revisiting The Man in the White Suit

2019

Acting

Director Stephen Frears, film historian Ian Christie, and author and British film historian Richard Dacre discuss the unique qualities of The Man in t...

Memories of Lindsay Anderson

Memories of Lindsay Anderson

2019

as Self

Acting

Chris Wade's documentary film is a personal, intimate and affectionate look at the life and work of Lindsay Anderson, the legendary film and theatre d...

Who Killed British Cinema?

Who Killed British Cinema?

2018

as Self

5.0
Acting

A feature length documentary about the real state of the British film industry in relation to UK structures past, present and currently for the future...

Seduction. Betrayal. Murder: The Making of The Grifters

Seduction. Betrayal. Murder: The Making of The Grifters

2018

Acting

A brand new feature-length documentary on the film’s production, including new interviews with director Stephen Frears, director of photography Oliver...

Victoria & Abdul

Victoria & Abdul

2017

Director

6.9
Directing

Queen Victoria strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young Indian clerk named Abdul Karim.

Il était une fois... « The Queen »

2017

as Self

Acting

Released in 2006, British filmmaker Stephen Frears' "The Queen" dramatizes the brief but intense conflict between Prime Minister Tony Blair and Elizab...

She's French

She's French

2017

Acting

She's chic, slim and sexy like Brigitte Bardot. She's French. But she's not all French women, right?

Alan Clarke: Out of His Own Light

Alan Clarke: Out of His Own Light

2016

as Self

Acting

A multi-part documentary about Alan Clarke, featuring interviews with various actors, writers and producers.

Florence Foster Jenkins

Florence Foster Jenkins

2016

Director, Writer

6.7
Directing Writing

The story of Florence Foster Jenkins, a New York heiress, who dreamed of becoming an opera singer, despite having a terrible singing voice.

The Program

The Program

2015

Director

6.4
Directing

An Irish sports journalist becomes convinced that Lance Armstrong's performances during the Tour de France victories are fueled by banned substances. ...

Reflecting on My Beautiful Laundrette: A Conversation between Stephen Frears and Colin MacCabe

Reflecting on My Beautiful Laundrette: A Conversation between Stephen Frears and Colin MacCabe

2015

Acting

Stephen Frears in a interview with film scholar and producer Colin MacCabe. The topics which he touches upon include his career in theater and TV prio...

French Cinema Mon Amour

French Cinema Mon Amour

2015

as Self

0.5
Acting

French Cinema Mon Amour is an ensemble film in which each contributor brings their own voice, their own particular approach, their culture, and their ...

Henri Langlois vu par...

Henri Langlois vu par...

2014

as Self

Acting

Thirteen filmmakers talk about Henri Langlois and their relationship with him.

Henri Langlois vu par...

Henri Langlois vu par...

2014

Director

Directing

Thirteen filmmakers talk about Henri Langlois and their relationship with him.

Night Will Fall

Night Will Fall

2014

Producer, Executive Producer

7.6
Producing

When Allied forces liberated the Nazi concentration camps in 1944-45, their terrible discoveries were recorded by army and newsreel cameramen, reveali...

Philomena

Philomena

2013

Director

7.3
Directing

A woman searches for her adult son, who was taken away from her decades ago when she was forced to live in a convent.

Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight

Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight

2013

Director

6.3
Directing

Muhammad Ali’s historic Supreme Court battle from behind closed doors. When Ali was drafted into the Vietnam War at the height of his boxing career, h...

30 Years of Comic Strip

30 Years of Comic Strip

2012

Acting

In true Peter Richardson fashion, "30 Years Of Comic Strip" defies the conventional norms of a retrospective documentary. It brings together some of t...

Lay the Favorite

Lay the Favorite

2012

Director

5.2
Directing

A former stripper's talent with numbers lands her a job with a professional gambler who runs a sports book in Las Vegas.

My Friend Sam: Living for the Moment

2012

Acting

Sam was born with an extremely rare genetic disorder called Familial Dysautonomia. When born, he had 50 per cent chance of making it to his fifth birt...

Hans Zimmer: The Sound of Hollywood

Hans Zimmer: The Sound of Hollywood

2011

as Self

1.0
Acting

Documentary about Hans Zimmer.

Tamara Drewe

Tamara Drewe

2010

Director

5.9
Directing

A young newspaper writer returns to her hometown in the English countryside, where her childhood home is being prepped for sale.

Heavy Rain

Heavy Rain

2010

as Himself

2.0
Acting

A powerful short documentary inspired by the launch of the genre breaking PlayStation 3 title HEAVY RAIN. 

Directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Neil L...

Once Upon a Time... 'Notorious'

Once Upon a Time... 'Notorious'

2009

as Self

Acting

Documentary about the making of Alfred Hitchcock's 1946 film "Notorious."

Jean Charles

Jean Charles

2009

Executive Producer

6.3
Producing

The tragic true story of Jean Charles de Menezes, the innocent Brazilian shot dead by British police in 2005 at the height of the London terrorist ale...

Great Directors

Great Directors

2009

as Self

5.9
Acting

Features conversations with ten of the world's greatest living directors: Bernardo Bertolucci, David Lynch, Liliana Cavani, Stephen Frears, Agnes Vard...

Chéri

Chéri

2009

as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

6.1
Acting

The son of a courtesan retreats into a fantasy world after being forced to end his relationship with the older woman who educated him in the ways of l...

Chéri

Chéri

2009

Director

6.1
Directing

The son of a courtesan retreats into a fantasy world after being forced to end his relationship with the older woman who educated him in the ways of l...

Here’s Looking at You, Boy

Here’s Looking at You, Boy

2007

as Self

5.8
Acting

Documentary on the history of gay and lesbian film.

The Queen

The Queen

2006

Director

6.9
Directing

The Queen is an intimate behind the scenes glimpse at the interaction between HM Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair during their struggle, fol...

Le court des grands

Le court des grands

2005

Director

8.0
Directing

A program of debut shorts from some of cinema's greatest diectors. Curated by Emir Kusturica and Stephen Frears, featured auteurs include George Lucas...

Mrs. Henderson Presents

Mrs. Henderson Presents

2005

Director

6.7
Directing

Eccentric 70-year-old widow purchases the Windmill Theatre in London as a post-widowhood hobby. After starting an innovative continuous variety review...

Michael Powell

Michael Powell

2005

Acting

The first episode of a new arts documentary program from BBC Scotland was dedicated to Michael Powell in his centenary year. The program interviews ma...

Cast & Crew: If....

Cast & Crew: If....

2004

as Self - Interviewee

Acting

Episode of the BBC Scotland television series focusing on Lindsay Anderson's 1968 film "If...", featuring interviews with star Malcolm McDowell, cinem...

The Route V50

The Route V50

2004

Director

5.8
Directing

As a traveler searches for a place called Confidence, he keeps running into other versions of himself.

100 Greatest Sexy Moments

100 Greatest Sexy Moments

2003

as Self

5.0
Acting

Documentary, based on a British poll, listing the 100 sexiest movie and TV moments. Supplemented by new interviews with performers, filmmakers, and au...

The Deal

The Deal

2003

Director

6.7
Directing

It is approaching an election in the UK when the leader of the Labour party, John Smith, suffers another in a line of heart attacks and dies. With the...

Forever Ealing

Forever Ealing

2002

as Self

6.8
Acting

This is a history of the England's Ealing Film Studios, from its beginnings in 1902. It follows the studio's successes through the 1930's, World War I...

Dirty Pretty Things

Dirty Pretty Things

2002

Director

6.9
Directing

An undocumented immigrant finds a human heart in one of the toilets of the west London hotel where he works with other undocumented immigrants.

Robert Altman in England

2002

as Himself

Acting

Robert Altman interviewed during the making of GOSFORD PARK (2001), as well as members of the cast and crew. Also, revealing behind the scenes footage...

All About Desire: The Passionate Cinema of Pedro Almodovar

All About Desire: The Passionate Cinema of Pedro Almodovar

2001

as Narrator

Acting

A rare look at the the career of film director Pedro Almodóvar, especially his early works, with interviews with the director himself and his stars an...

Liam

Liam

2001

Director

6.2
Directing

A morality tale of xenophobia, religious prejudice, mob violence, poverty, and their effect on two children in Liverpool during the Depression. When a...

Alan Clarke: His Own Man

Alan Clarke: His Own Man

2000

as Self

6.0
Acting

British film-maker Alan Clarke was championed by the likes of Gary Oldman, Tim Roth and Ray Winstone - Stephen Frears even called him the best. And ye...

Fail Safe

Fail Safe

2000

Director

7.0
Directing

Cold War tensions climb to a fever pitch when a U.S. bomber is accidentally ordered to drop a nuclear warhead on Moscow.

High Fidelity

High Fidelity

2000

Director

7.1
Directing

After his long-time girlfriend dumps him, a thirty-year-old record store owner seeks to understand why he is unlucky in love while recounting his "top...

The Hi-Lo Country

The Hi-Lo Country

1998

Director

6.1
Directing

An intimate story of the enduring bond of friendship between two hard-living men, set against a sweeping backdrop: the American West, post-World War I...

Beyond Fear

Beyond Fear

1997

Executive Producer

Producing

The true story of Stephanie Slater, a British estate agent who was kidnapped, raped, and held for ransom by Michael Sams, who imprisoned her in a coff...

Howard Hawks: American Artist

1997

as Narrator

5.8
Acting

A tribute of Howard Hawks by the British Film Institute.

The Van

The Van

1996

Director

6.3
Directing

In a working-class quarter of Dublin, 'Bimbo' Reeves gets laid off from his job and, with his redundancy payout, buys a van and sells fish and chips w...

Mary Reilly

Mary Reilly

1996

Director

5.8
Directing

A housemaid falls in love with Dr. Jekyll and his darkly mysterious counterpart, Mr. Hyde.

Typically British: A Personal History of British Cinema

Typically British: A Personal History of British Cinema

1995

6.7
Acting

Stephen Frears and a quartet of film industry notables - representing different cinematic periods - drink tea and discuss ups and downs of British cin...

Typically British: A Personal History of British Cinema

Typically British: A Personal History of British Cinema

1995

Director

6.7
Directing

Stephen Frears and a quartet of film industry notables - representing different cinematic periods - drink tea and discuss ups and downs of British cin...

The Snapper

The Snapper

1993

Director

6.4
Directing

Sharon Curley is a 20-year-old living with her parents and many brothers and sisters in Dublin. When she gets pregnant and refuses to name the father,...

Hero

Hero

1992

Director

6.3
Directing

Bernie Laplante is having a rough time. He's divorced, his ex-wife hates him and has custody of their son, the cops are setting a trap for him, then t...

Director: Alan Clarke

Director: Alan Clarke

1991

Acting

Documentary - Alan Clarke's films exposed a real, raw world as no other films have. Works such as "Scum," "Made in Britain," "The Firm," "Rita, Sue an...

The Grifters

The Grifters

1990

Director

6.5
Directing

A small-time conman has his loyalties torn between his estranged mother and his new girlfriend, both of whom are high-stakes grifters with their own a...

Dangerous Liaisons

Dangerous Liaisons

1988

Director

7.2
Directing

In 18th century France, Marquise de Merteuil asks her ex-lover Vicomte de Valmont to seduce the future wife of another ex-lover of hers in return for ...

Mr Jolly Lives Next Door

Mr Jolly Lives Next Door

1988

Director

8.2
Directing

A couple of bored escorts find themselves suddenly involved with a hit gang and an ax murderer - Mr. Jolly. Gratuitous violence, rivers of blood, and ...

Sammy and Rosie Get Laid

Sammy and Rosie Get Laid

1987

Director

5.8
Directing

Sammy and Rosie are an unconventional middle-class London married couple. They live in the midst of inner-city chaos, surround themselves with intelle...

Prick Up Your Ears

Prick Up Your Ears

1987

Director

6.7
Directing

When the young, attractive Joe Orton meets the older, more introverted Kenneth Halliwell at drama school, he befriends the kindred spirit and they sta...

Hooray For Holyrood

1986

as Self

Acting

Scottish Television's film on the 40th Edinburgh International Film Festival in 1986, starring Robbie Coltrane (a former EIFF chauffeur) and featuring...

Song of Experience

Song of Experience

1986

Director

6.0
Directing

As the Lady Chatterley court case puts its seal on the 1950s, three boys set out for a day's train-spotting. They see more than just trains, though, o...

Consuela (or, The New Mrs Saunders)

Consuela (or, The New Mrs Saunders)

1986

Director of Photography, Director

Directing

Jessica, the second Mrs Saunders, arrives with her new husband John at his country estate. Very much left to her own devices she is unnerved by the po...

Shooting from the Heart: Chris Menges, Cameraman

Shooting from the Heart: Chris Menges, Cameraman

1985

as Self

Acting

A look at the career of Oscar-winning cameraman Chris Menges. Filmed on location of 'Comfort and Joy'. Chris Menges discusses his early career in tele...

My Beautiful Laundrette

My Beautiful Laundrette

1985

Director

6.7
Directing

A Pakistani Briton renovates a rundown laundrette with his male lover while dealing with drama within his family, the local Pakistani community, and a...

December Flower

December Flower

1984

Director

Directing

Newly widowed Etta visits her beloved Aunt M and discovers her bedridden and listless. Etta's struggle to restore her aunt's dignity and cheer brings ...

The Bullshitters: Roll Out the Gunbarrel

The Bullshitters: Roll Out the Gunbarrel

1984

Director

Directing

Janie, daughter of Commander Jackson, the head of D15, has been kidnapped and there are only two men who can save her - former agents Bonehead and Foy...

The Hit

The Hit

1984

Director

6.4
Directing

Ten years after ratting on his old mobster friends in exchange for personal immunity, two hit men drive a hardened criminal to Paris for his execution...

Saigon: Year Of The Cat

Saigon: Year Of The Cat

1983

Director

4.6
Directing

The year is 1974, and Barbara Dean (Judi Dench), a British assistant manager in a foreign bank in Saigon, begins a relationship with American Bob Ches...

Walter and June

Walter and June

1983

Director

7.0
Directing

Sequel to the TV film "Walter". In the United States, the two films have been released together on DVD as a package, called "Loving Walter".

Walter

Walter

1982

Director

5.2
Directing

A man with learning difficulties suffers neglect and ill-treatment, and this is only exasperated when his parents die and nobody seems to know what to...

Going Gently

Going Gently

1981

Director

5.0
Directing

Play about two elderly cancer patients suffering in hospital.

Bloody Kids

Bloody Kids

1980

Director

6.4
Directing

Two boys pull a Saturday night prank on the police in a seaside British town.

Long Distance Information

Long Distance Information

1979

Director

Directing

Play For Today written by and starring Neville Smith. Christian Harvey , a local radio DJ and ageing rocker, is an obsessive fan of Elvis and the news...

One Fine Day

One Fine Day

1979

Director, Producer

2.0
Directing Producing

Alan Bennett's play about the mid-life crisis of an estate agent.

Afternoon Off

Afternoon Off

1979

Director, Producer

Directing Producing

Lee, a Chinese man, works as a waiter in a hotel in England, despite speaking very little English. Told that a girl called Iris might be interested in...

Doris and Doreen

Doris and Doreen

1978

Producer, Director

Producing Directing

A series of pink forms has Doris and Doreen fearing for their cushy jobs.

Me! I'm Afraid of Virginia Woolf

Me! I'm Afraid of Virginia Woolf

1978

Director

Directing

A repressed night-school teacher, secretly homosexual, struggles to cope with his demanding, eccentric mother.

Long Shot

Long Shot

1978

as Biscuit Man

Acting

Against the backdrop of the 1977 Edinburgh Film Festival, two low-budget filmmakers attempt to talk up some finance as they hunt for cash, cast and ‘...

Cold Harbour

1978

Director

Directing

A beautiful Chilean exile called Tina is stranded in a new country.

A Visit from Miss Prothero

A Visit from Miss Prothero

1978

Director

Directing

Arthur Dodsworth has recently retired. He lives alone except for his budgie and memories of his late wife Winnie. One afternoon his nap is interrupted...

Black Christmas

Black Christmas

1977

Director

1.0
Directing

A bittersweet drama on a familiar theme - the frictions forced to the surface during a Christmas family get-together - Michael Abbensetts' Black Chris...

Able's Will

Able's Will

1977

Director

Directing

Thomas Able, once a successful writer, has not written since the war. He lies paralysed and dying. His family gather at the family home.

Last Summer

Last Summer

1977

Director, Producer

Directing Producing

A 1976 play concerning an unemployed school leaver becomes involved with professional car thieves. Part of the ITV Playhouse strand.

Play Things

Play Things

1976

Director

Directing

A young man volunteers to work with a children's play group in a deprived London area. Adapted by Peter Prince from his own novel.

Early Struggles

Early Struggles

1976

Director

Directing

Kevin's wife walked out and left him holding the baby – no sleep, dirty nappies, and a career in pop music at risk. And ahead lies a visit to the clin...

Three Men in a Boat

Three Men in a Boat

1975

Director

5.9
Directing

One hot June day, three friends decide there is nothing they would like to do more than to get away from London. A boating holiday with lots of fresh ...

Sunset Across the Bay

Sunset Across the Bay

1975

Director

6.0
Directing

A married couple, after a life time of work and bringing up a family, retire and awaken to the fast changing world around them, the habitual nature of...

Match of the Day

Match of the Day

1974

Director

Directing

Chance has missed the match, but the girls at his sister's wedding might make up for it

A Day Out

A Day Out

1972

Director

4.8
Directing

Alan Bennett's debut play for television follows the members of a Halifax cycling club, on an outing from Halifax to the ruins of Fountains Abbey. Set...

Gumshoe

Gumshoe

1971

Director

6.3
Directing

A would be private eye gets mixed up in a smuggling case.

Incident

1971

as Man

Acting

An anti-short short. On three occassions a man overhears a car accident while relaxing in his room. He reacts with less and less concern to each crash...

The Burning

The Burning

1968

Director

7.0
Directing

The Burning is Stephen Frears’ first film, a chilling exploration of racial tensions in Apartheid-era South Africa. On a sweltering summer’ day, a wea...

Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment

Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment

1966

Assistant Director

6.2
Directing

Morgan, an aggressive and self-admitted dreamer, a fantasist who uses his flights of fancy as refuge from external reality, where his unconventional b...

Wilder & Me

Wilder & Me

N/A

Director

Directing

Part coming-of-age story, part true-life portrait of the beloved Billy Wilder, the film is set during the summer of 1977, when an innocent young woman...