First Look Images For Allelujah Starring Judi Dench, Jennifer Saunders

Pathé has released release the first look images from its new feature film, Allelujah , a darkly comic tale about surviving old age.

Based on the stage play by Alan Bennett (The Lady in The Van), with screenplay by Heidi Thomas (Call the Midwife, Cranford) and directed by Richard Eyre (Notes on A Scandal, Iris).

The film stars Jennifer Saunders (Absolutely Fabulous), Judi Dench (Notes On A Scandal, Iris), Derek Jacobi (I Claudius, Frasier), David Bradley (Harry Potter, Game Of Thrones), Julia McKenzie (Guys And Dolls, Sweeney Todd), Russell Tovey (The History Boys) and Bally Gill (Ian Charleson Award 2019).

Here’s the film’s Official Synopsis:
When the geriatric ward of a small Yorkshire hospital is threatened with closure, the hospital decides to fight back by galvanizing the local community.  They invite a news crew to film their preparations for a concert in honour of the hospital’s most distinguished nurse.  What could go wrong?  ALLELUJAH celebrates the spirit of the elderly patients whilst paying tribute to the deep humanity of the medical staff battling with limited resources and ever-growing demand.  But in the midst of the tears and the laughter, we slowly realise that there is something threatening the hospital that is far more lethal than the politicians demanding efficiency at any cost…

The film’s director Richard Eyre, commented – “Heidi adapted Alan’s play very cleverly, and the two of them produced a wonderful, thought-provoking script – very funny but also deeply moving. They challenge us to think hard about how, as a society, we should care for the old. The film is an urgent call to arms to our public health services. Thankfully, the combination of good jokes and an important subject made it irresistible to some of our best – and best-known – actors.”

Footage from the film, which recently completed principal photography, will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival.

Pathe plans to theatrically release Allelujah in the UK early next year, coinciding with the 75th Anniversary of the NHS. The exact date in 2023 has still to be announced.