Topsy-Turvy

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Topsy-Turvy

R

2000

2h 40m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

86 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

The lives of the Victorian Era operatic composers Gilbert and Sullivan. Takes place during the original composition of the 1884 staging that would be one of their most famous works, "The Mikado." During this time they were anything but a sure thing, and this movie depicts how they turned things around.

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Critics Consensus

Dressed to the nines in exquisite production value and buoyed by Mike Leigh's sardonic wit, Topsy-Turvy is rich entertainment that is as brainy as it is handsome.

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Joe Clay

The Times (UK)

Sep 20, 2022

A love letter to the duo, with Jim Broadbent in fine form as the priggish workaholic Gilbert and Allan Corduner a droll counterpoint as the easygoing and hedonistic Sullivan.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Mar 6, 2018

The notion of art as an organically evolving process is crucial to Leigh. Almost alone among directors, he creates his scripts in the rehearsal period through improvisations.

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Deborah Young

Variety

Jun 17, 2008

[A] beautifully crafted and lively romp around the 1880s stage world.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Jan 7, 2023

... brings a freshness to the formality of 19th century decorum and conventions and an artist’s appreciation to the challenges of creative work and the dynamics of personality and creative strengths between collaborators.

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Cary Wong

Out Magazine

May 27, 2022

For anyone enamored of the theater, Topsy-Turvy is a satisfying love letter.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Feb 14, 2022

4/4

Topsy-Turvy, then, is many things: a portrait of Gilbert and Sullivan through the example of a single production, a study of the artistic need to reflect reality through fantasy, and a microcosmic example of Leigh's techniques as a filmmaker.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 7, 2026

This movie is worthy of *4* stars

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Martin B

@Martin49er Jul 31, 2026

Having performed a number of their operettas as a pit orchestra musician, this was a wonderful reminder of the magical stuff they presented. So well done in showing all the hard work that went (and still goes!) into producing them. Bravi tutti!!!

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Kevin L

@Lakeman Sep 2, 2025

The masterful Mike Leigh takes on Gilbert & Sullivan with an exceptional cast. Broadbent, Manville, Corduner, and Henderson are esp. impressive. Arias and arrogance; bitterness and bedroom ruminations; The Mikado and some kabuki; all strained through the posh and unpardonable of British high society. 3.4 stars

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Mary Jane W

@RT30366863 May 5, 2025

The set design and the editing are BEAUTIFUL. Of course, the music, but no one praises enough the sets-costumes, the sheer Beauty of this movie, or praises -- at all -- its intelligent witty reasonably-paced editing. I want to take an editing course from Robin Sales, an editing tutor at the British Film and Television School.

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David F

@dfulmer Jan 7, 2025

This backstage drama about the trials and tribulations of Gilbert and Sullivan’s working relationship and their creation of the comic opera The Mikado presents a panoramic view of the late 1800s British theatre world. Great music, light comedy, and very thorough period details make for splendid entertainment.

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S R

@ScottR Nov 10, 2024

Informative and entertaining movie about Gilbert and Sullivan. I especially appreciated it since I had acted in "The Mikado" and this showcased that. It also showed what that time period was like and how people were lived at many different levels of society. Saw on HBO and because it was on the Time Out Best British Films list.

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Mike Leigh

Director

Jim Broadbent

William Schwenk Gilbert

Allan Corduner

Arthur Sullivan

Lesley Manville

Lucy Gilbert ('Kitty')

Eleanor David

Mrs. Fanny Ronalds

Ron Cook

Richard D'Oyly Carte

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Synopsis

The lives of the Victorian Era operatic composers Gilbert and Sullivan. Takes place during the original composition of the 1884 staging that would be one of their most famous works, "The Mikado." During this time they were anything but a sure thing, and this movie depicts how they turned things around.

Director: Mike Leigh
Producer: Simon Channing Williams
Screenwriter: Mike Leigh
Distributor: October Films, USA Films
Production Co: Goldwyn Films, Newmarket Capital Group, Greenlight Fund
Rating: R (Scene of Risque Nudity)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 14, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 8, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.2M
Runtime: 2h 40m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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