Dame Judi Dench has recently released a new book of photos and anecdotes from her long career: Behind the Scenes. The photographs are both publicity shots and ones from Dench's private collection, documenting both her professional and personal life. The most striking thing I learned from this book was that as a young actor, a producer told Dame Judi that her face was all wrong for film. Dench believed him, and stuck with stage and television work until the 1990s. Of course, this producer was entirely wrong. Dame Judi hit the Hollywood big time with Mrs. Brown (a touching film about Queen Victoria and the Scottish servant who helped her as she was grieving the loss of her husband) and hasn't been at a loss for film work since.
If you're looking for a little bit more substance, Judi Dench also wrote a memoir, And Furthermore. It is a follow-up to John Mills' biography, Judi Dench. Dench has that famous British reserve (evident in how she hold her cards close), but she does have quite the circle of friends: John Gielgud, Kenneth Brannagh, Gwyneth Paltrow, Daniel Day-Lewis, and the list goes on. Those looking for dish are best off looking elsewhere, but Dame Judi does admit to being nosy and a practical joker.
And now the highlights of her filmography. This is by no means everything we have available, but it might not be a bad start:
Mrs. Henderson Presents Dame Judi plays a widow (Mrs. Henderson of the title) who has inherited a theater that needs a lift. With an impresario played by the inimitable Bob Hoskins, she turns it into a burlesque house in time for World War II. This movie includes a very funny American joke.
Cranford is a period drama set in a small town in the Midlands adjusting to modernity. It's a veritable who's who of great English actresses of a certain age, including Julia McKenzie and Imelda Staunton.
Notes on A Scandal pairs Dench with Cate Blanchett in this drama about a teacher having an affair with a student. Dench plays the cold and judgmental veteran instructor and Blanchett plays the popular young art teacher with a roving eye.
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