Allelujah film: What is the film starring York actors Dame Judi Dench and David Bradley about and who is in the cast?

The film Allelujah is set in a fictional Yorkshire hospital and stars James Bond star Dame Judi Dench and Harry Potter actor David Bradley, both born in York.
Liana Jacob
By Liana Jacob
Published 7th Feb 2023, 13:22 BST

The major feature film is based on a play of the same name written by award-winning actor, author, playwright and screenwriter, Alan Bennet, who is from Armley, Leeds. He is well known for other plays, The Lady in the Van in 1999, The History Boys in 2004 and The Habit of Art in 2009, all of which have been adapted into films.

Allelujah is a warm, humorous and moving tale about surviving old age and stars local actors Judi Dench, David Bradley, known for his role as Argus Filch in the Harry Potter films and Walder Frey in Game of Thrones and other big stars including Jennifer Saunders and Derek Jacobi.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The film was directed by Richard Eyre, who has worked with Judi Dench on multiple occasions. He is also known for films Iris (2001), Notes on a Scandal (2006), The Children Act (2017) and King Lear (2018).

Jennifer Saunders and Judi Dench attend the Allelujah European Premiere. (Pic credit: Stuart C Wilson / Getty Images)Jennifer Saunders and Judi Dench attend the Allelujah European Premiere. (Pic credit: Stuart C Wilson / Getty Images)
Jennifer Saunders and Judi Dench attend the Allelujah European Premiere. (Pic credit: Stuart C Wilson / Getty Images)

What is Allelujah about?

The film is about old age and is set in a geriatric ward in a small Yorkshire hospital that is expected to close down.

The threatened closure of this hospital stirs an uprising from the local community. They invite a news crew to film preparations for a concert as a tribute to the hospital’s most distinguished and popular nurse.

The film aims to celebrate the spirit of humanity among medical staff struggling with restricted resources and ever-growing demand, and to the elderly patients involved.

David Bradley. (Pic credit: Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images)David Bradley. (Pic credit: Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images)
David Bradley. (Pic credit: Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images)

Who is the cast of Allelujah?

The following actors star in the film.

Jennifer Saunders as Sister Gilpin

Judi Dench as Mary Moss

Russell Tovey as Colin Colman

David Bradley as Joe Colman

Derek Jacobi as Ambrose

Bally Gill as Dr Valentine

Gerard Horan as Mr Earnshaw

Jessica Baglow as Dr Jess

Eileen Davies as Molly

When was Allelujah be released in cinemas?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It had its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2022, and is set to be released in cinemas in the UK on March 17, 2023.

It is currently still showing in cinemas such as Cineworld and Odeon.

Related topics:YorkYorkshire

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.