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Behind the Scenes
From her first theatrical roles as a teenager in York to her scene-stealing performances as 'M' in the James Bond films, Dame Judi Dench's professional life has consisted of non-stop acting, leading to numerous accolades, including an Academy Award for her performance as Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love . Behind the Scenes is a candid blend of reminiscences and photos, many of them never-before-seen from her personal collection. It's a uniquely personal take on her life and brilliant career, showing her off-stage as well as on. Looking back, she provides her millions of fans with reflections and remembrances of those who have mattered to her most - her family, fellow actors, directors and writers - communicating them with the truth and insight that is the hallmark of her acting. Behind the Scenes takes up where her New York Times bestselling memoir and furthermore left off. Dame Judi looks back on the last few years to talk about her role as "M" in the Bond films, the joy of ensemble acting in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel , the chance to tell the story of the heroic woman at the center of Philomena, her joy in appearing with other great actresses in the MaterpieceTheatre Cranford and her return to the stage in Peter and Alice. Tireless in her desire to perfect her craft, she says "I simply want to go on acting. I suppose I could always be wheeled on stage if necessary. The great thing about acting is that it never ends."
256 pages, Hardcover
First published November 11, 2014
49 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
April 10, 2018
“Behind the Scenes” is not an autobiography, so if you are looking for the story of Judi Dench, look elsewhere.
This book is really just a collection of pictures from Ms. Dench’s life and career, mostly career, with little anecdotes written by her strewn about. That is not a criticism by the way. It was an interesting pictorial resume to look through, just not much more than that.
The text makes you appreciate the scope and breadth of Ms. Dench’s career, and really hits home the fact that she is a creature of live theatre, which compromises by far the largest extent of her professional resume.
If you are interested in those aspects of Judi Dench, then take a look at this book. It is a quick and easy read. I read it with my lunch for a few days, and it was a pleasant experience.
This book is really just a collection of pictures from Ms. Dench’s life and career, mostly career, with little anecdotes written by her strewn about. That is not a criticism by the way. It was an interesting pictorial resume to look through, just not much more than that.
The text makes you appreciate the scope and breadth of Ms. Dench’s career, and really hits home the fact that she is a creature of live theatre, which compromises by far the largest extent of her professional resume.
If you are interested in those aspects of Judi Dench, then take a look at this book. It is a quick and easy read. I read it with my lunch for a few days, and it was a pleasant experience.
November 26, 2014
Beautifully photographed, with fascinating anecdotes from her professional life as well as her marriage to the late Michael Williams. A treat for both theatre and film fans, the photographs show her joy in her family as well as her intense concentration on and delight in her craft. The book is also a generous tribute to many of her famous colleagues on stage and screen.
March 6, 2015
What an actress and what a woman. I would like to have her as a friend.
February 2, 2016
I would give this book an almost five. Judi Dench already wrote a memoir a few years ago. This book Behind the Scenes is a fun one to read. Judi Dench shares a book full of personal pictures she has accumulated from her long career on the stage, TV and movies. She shares her memories of her times on stage, and screen. I am a fan of hers so nice to see and read about her memories of her career. There are a ton of pictures with her writing about each one. a very quick book to read.
January 8, 2015
I love Judi Dench. I loved all the wonderful photos in this book. I learned a lot about her stage career, which I knew nothing about. It seems as if she's been in almost every Shakespeare play, in addition to many others. I look forward to revisiting this book, and also reading her biographies.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
December 28, 2014
“There is nothing like a Dame”, sang the sailors in South Pacific; apply those words, in letters a mile high, and you come near my opinion of the amazing Dame Judi Dench.
What an inspiring actor and woman she is!
When Hachette Australia offered Starts at Sixty the opportunity to read this pictorial memoir, my answer was “Mine, Mine, all Mine” (with apologies to the other SAS Reviewers who may have wished to read it.).
The first thing which struck me about this book is the quality. It is hard covered and the paper is heavy weight polished – very classy; quite fitting for a book by, and about, a classy lady. This is the second pictorial memoir Dame Judi has published in concert with John Miller and it shares many personal moments as well as professional triumphs.
The range displayed by this actress is immense; from Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Measure for Measure, Hamlet and Coriolanus (and this list is incomplete) to “M” in James Bond, on stage and on film, she is the ultimate professional.
For someone of whom her first singing coach said “Well, yes, you’re not a singer”, an early triumph in 1968 was on stage in the role of Sally Bowles in Cabaret. Hal Prince cast her as Sally and when she wondered about her lack of singing prowess, he told her “Read the book Goodbye to Berlin and read what it says about her”. Dame Judi goes on to say, “Of course, the thing about Sally Bowles is that she isn’t a singer, she’s a middle-class girl from England who’s gone out to Berlin. She can’t sing. She could never be a success.”
There was a wonderful series some years back called Masterclass which highlighted the work of a number of artistic people, one of whom was Dame Judi. To this day, I remember the quiet dignity of Desiree Armfeldt’s “Send in the Clowns”, delivered in husky-voiced sincerity by Judi Dench; it was the first time I heard the beauty, wry humour and almost crippling loss of the words, a truly moving performance shared here http://bit.ly/1yWj31m.
The love of Judi’s life was actor Michael Williams; they married in 1971. “Michael flew out to Australia when we were touring with Twelfth Night for the RSC and proposed to me in Adelaide. I said, ‘No, it’s far too romantic, with all this sun and the beaches. Ask me again one rainy night in Battersea.’ So he did, and I said ‘Yes’ this time, and we got married in the middle of winter – on 5 February, 1971.” They had one daughter Flinty, and one grandson. There are many wonderful photos of the Williams family in the book interspersed with commentary of their lives. Michael died in 2001 and I was thrilled to learn recently that Dame Judi has found love again with conservationist, David Mills.
“Miss Dench you have every single thing wrong with your face” was the “crushing verdict of the film producer who gave me my very first screen test back in the 1950’s. It put me off films for a long time, and my few early excursions into the cinema did little to change my mind.” Thank goodness for us, someone saw the fallacy of this remark. I was interested to learn that “Television seemed to be much more fun, from an early ZCars episode to the later situation comedies I so enjoyed. Even my first big screen success - Mrs Brown – began life as a project for TV.”
There are so many highlights in her movie career, it is hard to choose a “favourite child”. I admit a partiality for Mrs Brown, Ladies in Lavender (with another Dame - Maggie), Notes on a Scandal, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Last of the Blonde Bombshells ... of drat, let’s face it, there isn’t much in her filmography that I haven’t seen and loved, including James Bond. Apparently, when she learned the fate of M she was miffed the role was no longer hers and in fact, she cried!
Recently Dame Judi turned 80, but don’t hold your breath expecting an announcement of her retirement; if you want to upset this Dame, ask her when she intends to take it easy or isn’t she “too old” for further stage and screen work! Just one of her new projects is the sequel to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Behind the Scenes is a delight! It is both personally and professionally illuminating, something I expect to dip into frequently, a coffee table pictorial memoir.
This review is published on Starts at Sixty at this link http://bit.ly/1vjPnV3
What an inspiring actor and woman she is!
When Hachette Australia offered Starts at Sixty the opportunity to read this pictorial memoir, my answer was “Mine, Mine, all Mine” (with apologies to the other SAS Reviewers who may have wished to read it.).
The first thing which struck me about this book is the quality. It is hard covered and the paper is heavy weight polished – very classy; quite fitting for a book by, and about, a classy lady. This is the second pictorial memoir Dame Judi has published in concert with John Miller and it shares many personal moments as well as professional triumphs.
The range displayed by this actress is immense; from Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Measure for Measure, Hamlet and Coriolanus (and this list is incomplete) to “M” in James Bond, on stage and on film, she is the ultimate professional.
For someone of whom her first singing coach said “Well, yes, you’re not a singer”, an early triumph in 1968 was on stage in the role of Sally Bowles in Cabaret. Hal Prince cast her as Sally and when she wondered about her lack of singing prowess, he told her “Read the book Goodbye to Berlin and read what it says about her”. Dame Judi goes on to say, “Of course, the thing about Sally Bowles is that she isn’t a singer, she’s a middle-class girl from England who’s gone out to Berlin. She can’t sing. She could never be a success.”
There was a wonderful series some years back called Masterclass which highlighted the work of a number of artistic people, one of whom was Dame Judi. To this day, I remember the quiet dignity of Desiree Armfeldt’s “Send in the Clowns”, delivered in husky-voiced sincerity by Judi Dench; it was the first time I heard the beauty, wry humour and almost crippling loss of the words, a truly moving performance shared here http://bit.ly/1yWj31m.
The love of Judi’s life was actor Michael Williams; they married in 1971. “Michael flew out to Australia when we were touring with Twelfth Night for the RSC and proposed to me in Adelaide. I said, ‘No, it’s far too romantic, with all this sun and the beaches. Ask me again one rainy night in Battersea.’ So he did, and I said ‘Yes’ this time, and we got married in the middle of winter – on 5 February, 1971.” They had one daughter Flinty, and one grandson. There are many wonderful photos of the Williams family in the book interspersed with commentary of their lives. Michael died in 2001 and I was thrilled to learn recently that Dame Judi has found love again with conservationist, David Mills.
“Miss Dench you have every single thing wrong with your face” was the “crushing verdict of the film producer who gave me my very first screen test back in the 1950’s. It put me off films for a long time, and my few early excursions into the cinema did little to change my mind.” Thank goodness for us, someone saw the fallacy of this remark. I was interested to learn that “Television seemed to be much more fun, from an early ZCars episode to the later situation comedies I so enjoyed. Even my first big screen success - Mrs Brown – began life as a project for TV.”
There are so many highlights in her movie career, it is hard to choose a “favourite child”. I admit a partiality for Mrs Brown, Ladies in Lavender (with another Dame - Maggie), Notes on a Scandal, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Last of the Blonde Bombshells ... of drat, let’s face it, there isn’t much in her filmography that I haven’t seen and loved, including James Bond. Apparently, when she learned the fate of M she was miffed the role was no longer hers and in fact, she cried!
Recently Dame Judi turned 80, but don’t hold your breath expecting an announcement of her retirement; if you want to upset this Dame, ask her when she intends to take it easy or isn’t she “too old” for further stage and screen work! Just one of her new projects is the sequel to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Behind the Scenes is a delight! It is both personally and professionally illuminating, something I expect to dip into frequently, a coffee table pictorial memoir.
This review is published on Starts at Sixty at this link http://bit.ly/1vjPnV3
May 11, 2015
I think Judi Dench is awesome. I loved all the commentaries with photos of her many years on stage, in television and movies. The home life photos were nice as well and gave me a little glimpse into her extraordinary life.
If you have the least bit of interest in British actors or stage personalities, this book is a wonderful one to pick up and read.
If you have the least bit of interest in British actors or stage personalities, this book is a wonderful one to pick up and read.
May 13, 2025
I am a big Judi Dench fan so, when I saw "Behind the Scenes" (2014) and "And Furthermore" (2010) on the used book store shelf together, I bought them both. I decided to go with "Behind the Scenes" first as it is full of wonderful photos and provides a look at Dench's career in theatre, television and film, starting back in 1957.
I really enjoyed "Behind the Scenes" as it is a quick read and, as I said, there are lots of great photos. However, I found a lot of the little stories and memories shared by Dench were ones I already knew so not a lot of new insight into this incredible actress's personal or professional life. I did not want a Hollywood-type "tell all" (yuck) but a few new anecdotes would have been nice. Also, the presentation seemed a bit disjointed in parts; not the best flow.
After finishing "Behind the Scenes", I had a flick through "And Furthermore". Both were written with the same co-author/biographer, John Miller. The bits I read were repeats from "Behind the Scenes" so, again, nothing new to see here. I did have a closer read through the brief section on the beloved TV series, "As Time Goes By", and working with the late Geoffrey Palmer as that's probably my favourite TV series of all time. It was a VERY brief but very complimentary entry. They acted together a lot of stage, screen and TV, and were obviously great friends.
So, in the end, I didn't read much of "And Furthermore" but I would recommend "Behind the Scenes" for Dench fans. Will they become parts of my personal library, no, but they were worth a look.
I really enjoyed "Behind the Scenes" as it is a quick read and, as I said, there are lots of great photos. However, I found a lot of the little stories and memories shared by Dench were ones I already knew so not a lot of new insight into this incredible actress's personal or professional life. I did not want a Hollywood-type "tell all" (yuck) but a few new anecdotes would have been nice. Also, the presentation seemed a bit disjointed in parts; not the best flow.
After finishing "Behind the Scenes", I had a flick through "And Furthermore". Both were written with the same co-author/biographer, John Miller. The bits I read were repeats from "Behind the Scenes" so, again, nothing new to see here. I did have a closer read through the brief section on the beloved TV series, "As Time Goes By", and working with the late Geoffrey Palmer as that's probably my favourite TV series of all time. It was a VERY brief but very complimentary entry. They acted together a lot of stage, screen and TV, and were obviously great friends.
So, in the end, I didn't read much of "And Furthermore" but I would recommend "Behind the Scenes" for Dench fans. Will they become parts of my personal library, no, but they were worth a look.
April 26, 2022
Such a class act !!
January 16, 2019
Fun book to casually read, amazing how much acting Judy Dench has done - seems to be never ending! Beautiful pictures & interesting.
November 14, 2016
A fun, fun book to read! I love Judi Dench, and this book is like a scrapbook of so many memories she has of working in theatre and film. She has great, sweeping color photos of herself and many well-known stars, and it's like you're right there with them as she shares her recollections. You see Kenneth Branagh grow up, you see Daniel Craig and Ben Whishaw, there are photos of Judi, Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton, Celia Imrie, Billy Connolly, Geoffrey Palmer, and so many other greats. A quick read.
January 7, 2015
I love to read biographies and I'm interested in knowing more about Judi Dench and her life. Some of this information is inside this book-but very little of it. It is basically a photographic look at her professional life. It is not a straightforward biography.
In many ways this book is a quick read--or look--since it is mostly visual and very little text. It was not what I expected.
In many ways this book is a quick read--or look--since it is mostly visual and very little text. It was not what I expected.
January 14, 2015
This was an excellent photographic story of Judi Dench's life, but only gave it 2 stars because it was lacking in words. I would have liked it to be twice as long so there was some depth in the writing.
January 21, 2015
Fabulous photos and anecdotes about the fascinating career on stage and screen of a great Dame! what a woman!
May 22, 2022
Books about acting and the industry
recommended by Spotlight staff.
Time spent sitting with a book is never wasted. It’s a chance to relax, contemplate, and absorb information entirely at your own pace. When we have time on our hands it’s also an opportunity to branch out and learn more about any number of topics.
There is a vast array of fantastic stories to learn from, be they from fellow performers, teachers, theatre-makers or people who can shine a light on what happens behind the scenes. We've read quite a few of them so we thought we'd share some of our book recommendations with you! Not only are these titles a great read, but you may also learn something that could help your career too.
Books by Performers
1. Character Breakdown by Zawe Ashton
2. Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: And Other Lessons in Life by Michael Caine
3. Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston
4. Behind the Scenes by Judi Dench
5. What's My Motivation? by Michael Simkins
6. Bossypants by Tina Fey
Behind the Scenes Books
1. Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre by Nicholas Hytner
2. Quentin Tarantino: Interviews
3. The True Adventures of the World's Greatest Stuntman: My Life as Indiana Jones, James Bond, Superman and Other Movies by Vic Armstrong
Books about Acting Techniques and Tips
1. Stella Adler: The Art of Acting by Howard Kissel
2. Presence: How to Use Positive Energy for Success in Every Situation by Patsy Rodenburg
3. Secrets of Performing Confidence: For Musicians, Singers, Actors and Dancers by Andrew Evans
4. A Life-coaching Approach to Screen Acting by Daniel Dresner
5. Surviving Hollywood: How to Ensure the Acting Industry Doesn't Chew You Up and Spit You Out by Julia Farino
recommended by Spotlight staff.
Time spent sitting with a book is never wasted. It’s a chance to relax, contemplate, and absorb information entirely at your own pace. When we have time on our hands it’s also an opportunity to branch out and learn more about any number of topics.
There is a vast array of fantastic stories to learn from, be they from fellow performers, teachers, theatre-makers or people who can shine a light on what happens behind the scenes. We've read quite a few of them so we thought we'd share some of our book recommendations with you! Not only are these titles a great read, but you may also learn something that could help your career too.
Books by Performers
1. Character Breakdown by Zawe Ashton
2. Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: And Other Lessons in Life by Michael Caine
3. Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston
4. Behind the Scenes by Judi Dench
5. What's My Motivation? by Michael Simkins
6. Bossypants by Tina Fey
Behind the Scenes Books
1. Balancing Acts: Behind the Scenes at the National Theatre by Nicholas Hytner
2. Quentin Tarantino: Interviews
3. The True Adventures of the World's Greatest Stuntman: My Life as Indiana Jones, James Bond, Superman and Other Movies by Vic Armstrong
Books about Acting Techniques and Tips
1. Stella Adler: The Art of Acting by Howard Kissel
2. Presence: How to Use Positive Energy for Success in Every Situation by Patsy Rodenburg
3. Secrets of Performing Confidence: For Musicians, Singers, Actors and Dancers by Andrew Evans
4. A Life-coaching Approach to Screen Acting by Daniel Dresner
5. Surviving Hollywood: How to Ensure the Acting Industry Doesn't Chew You Up and Spit You Out by Julia Farino
March 1, 2021
Dame Judi Dench is one of my most favorite actors in the world! When this book came up in a library list, I tagged it for my TBR list. I assumed this would be a biography, and waited a few years for the audiobook to happen. It never did, and popped up in an available list - so I just moved it to my active list. Opening it yesterday, it became clear why it was not an audiobook - this is not an audiobook. It is more a record of her acting career! From her beginnings to the publishing of the book.
There are lovely photographs, and her own commentary as the years go on. It was a quick read, but a very satisfactory one - where I got to know all the fine, wonderful ways her path through life have gone thus far. A true delight.
There are lovely photographs, and her own commentary as the years go on. It was a quick read, but a very satisfactory one - where I got to know all the fine, wonderful ways her path through life have gone thus far. A true delight.
August 19, 2021
What a delight to read and look at the photographs of this international performer's career in her memoir. Judi Dench exposes her career and life in this lovely book. I really enjoyed the little tidbits of information and her poking fun of her few mistakes she made on stage, and slips behind the scenes. What an incredible career and varied parts she has performed. She enjoys laughing and good humor, and it is a joy to read, and see the delight in her face. She has won countless awards, has acted on stage, in television and film. I think she is also a great writer as she connects easily with the reader. I loved seeing the plethora of photographs of her life, her family, and the many people she has performed with, as well as important people who met her. Highly recommended.
June 1, 2024
I expected a memoir of sorts, but this is a collection, chronologically arranged, of mostly professional, but with some personal, photos of Judi. There are pieces, possibly written by Judi, about each snapshot with the names of the other actors, the locations, the film/play's name, what they were doing (often laughing at something said) to illuminate us all.
It was a fun, shallow sort of read, but they can be pleasant enough. She obviously likes Branagh a lot, an actor who seems overrated to me, but she doesn't pour the sweet compliments on the women quite so much. Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton, etc, didn't appear to rate that highly. Maybe women vs women?
An ok read. Mostly worth it for the photos.
It was a fun, shallow sort of read, but they can be pleasant enough. She obviously likes Branagh a lot, an actor who seems overrated to me, but she doesn't pour the sweet compliments on the women quite so much. Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton, etc, didn't appear to rate that highly. Maybe women vs women?
An ok read. Mostly worth it for the photos.
October 27, 2025
Knowing of Dench only from PBS As Time Goes By and her as M in the James Bond movie series, I
didn't care much for reading her book. But I did and was disappointed it had mostly to do with her professional theater career.
This is NOT the usual memoir but really just her comments about all the plays and some of the movies she acted. Lots of photos and anecdotes. As a result this is a very quick read. Not a negative thought or deed in the book, she has kind words for everyone.
If you love British Shakespeare theater, you will like this one. If not, you will think its just ok.
didn't care much for reading her book. But I did and was disappointed it had mostly to do with her professional theater career.
This is NOT the usual memoir but really just her comments about all the plays and some of the movies she acted. Lots of photos and anecdotes. As a result this is a very quick read. Not a negative thought or deed in the book, she has kind words for everyone.
If you love British Shakespeare theater, you will like this one. If not, you will think its just ok.
November 27, 2019
This is not a typical celebrity memoir, in that it is more of a photo journal of the actress' life and work. It was a slightly different format than what I was expecting, but it was definitely interesting and informative. My goodness, she has certainly been prolific on the stage! She also gave us a glimpse into her family life while keeping many details private. I can certainly respect that.
I think she's a fascinating lady and a talented actress. I enjoyed this.
I think she's a fascinating lady and a talented actress. I enjoyed this.
October 30, 2017
Judi Dench ha pubblicato tanto, tra cue due album fotografici di cui questo è il secondo. Dico album fotografico perché non è nulla di più, gli aneddoti sono brevi, le informazioni sottili e lo stile abbastanza povero, ma per chi fa un acquisto consapevole può essere una collezione interessante di scatti dalla vita di una grandissima attrice contemporanea, di cinema e di teatro.
June 28, 2018
I picked this book up at the dollar store, because I like Dame Judi Dench's work. It was a fairly quick read, because it was chock-full of pictures and small anecdotes about them. There was not a lot of depth to the writing. It was like opening up someone's photo album and reading the captions and dates. At least, I know a little bit more about the woman behind the masterful performances.
April 9, 2023
Such an incredible career! I loved getting to see personal pictures from Judi Dench herself, and getting to hear the stories behind them. I do prefer biographies to be chronological, so it was a bit confusing at times. But I loved that it’s such a short read, and I feel like more actors and celebrities should do this! It’s wonderful to get a peek inside of her personal life.
April 9, 2018
Judi Dench is an actress I always enjoyed watching. In this book, you get a glimpse of her life behind the scenes. I love her even more now. She seems to be a joyful, free spirit who works hard and loves what she does.
October 26, 2020
Essentially a photo album with lengthy captions documenting the extraordinary acting career of Judi Dench, one of my heroes. A walk down memory lane made for a lovely afternoon read.
Can’t not mention the iconic series “As Time Goes By” with Geoffrey Palmer playing live from 1992-2001 and then in regular replays continuously ever since.
Can’t not mention the iconic series “As Time Goes By” with Geoffrey Palmer playing live from 1992-2001 and then in regular replays continuously ever since.
October 6, 2024
Really beautiful glimpse at my favorite actress! I loved to see all her different stage plays and off air productions that I wouldn’t know about otherwise. The pictures are so telling and the descriptions really help fill in the context.
January 19, 2018
She’s one of the best. A real class act.
September 10, 2018
Wish it was longer and had more content.
August 14, 2019
The follow on from Scenes from my life
September 27, 2019
Just like looking at a personal photo album. And sitting there with a friend and talking about the photos. It was a lovely, easy and fun read. I love Dame Judi Dench!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews