This is amazing. She brings such emotion into the song and you can feel the sorrow and regret of the character. Brings tears to my eyes. Thats why she is one of Britains best actresses
When I was a young girl my mum would listen to Barbra Streisand sing this. Despite me hearing many versions such Elizabeth Taylor, Glenn Close, and Streisand, I heard the song but never felt it. Now at 30 odd and hearing Dame Judi Dench TELL this beautiful love story, I understand, and yes I weep.
Judi's voice makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and my eyes start to fill. Brilliant. Not only the song, but to act as well as sing. Not many have that ability.
this is amazing, but i will say that every actress will sing it differently and have different views on the song. this is an amazing way to sing this song, but it doesn't make catherine zeta jones's or ruthie henshall's renditions bad, it just means that they are performed in a different way
Interesting to learn that it was written for actors and not singers and yes, that makes sense. It is a fairly simple melody, even I can sing it (although I usually play it) . It's not that technically difficult but still very enjoyable music, one of those truly great melodies.
One thing you have to realize is that Sondheim did not write this song for singers. He wrote it for actors, specifically for the actress Glynis Johns, who was not a singer and did not have the breath capacity for sustaining long phrases. This is probably the reason why a brilliant actress like Dame Judi Dench can make this work so well.
The director/coordinator of this Cam Mc special did a very bad thing here. They had someone, a fave singer of mine, follow this performance :( Can you imagine performing right after that brilliant performance? Poor Michael Ball.
i remember seeing this version the first time around, back when pbs first aired it. the song always made me sad but couldn't understand why other than the obvious reason that the melody is sad. after seeing the dame, i understood what this song finally meant.
I think it is because she is the consumate actress added to the fact she has lived a rich and full life. I have no doubts she has lived at some point the emotions evoked in this piece. This allows her to call upon her formidible acting chops, added to her life's experiences and give a stunning performance that really brings this song to life. It touches a place in all of us that we can't hide in the face of her performance.
I've always thought of Judi Dench as a brilliant actress but I had no idea she could put so much feeling into one of my favorite songs. I've always prefered the Glynis Johns version, but hearing Judi Dench, I felt a shiver down my back and had tears in my eyes. Well Done Judi.
This is a perfect example of of how intangible Judi Dench is... only she could sing a song (singing being used very loosely) and still make it so insanely beautiful... Rock on.
Beautiful. I don't feel the need to choose between this version and that of Ruthie Henshall. Stunning in their own way and mkes me proud to be British. Congrats Dame Judi on your award for best stage actor xx
Beautiful. I don't feel the need to choose between this version and that of Ruthie Hensall. Stunning in their own way and mkes me proud to be British. Congrats Dame Judi on your award for best stage actor xx
some songs are meant to be sung. some songs are meant to be performed. Dame Judi Dench delivers a wonderful performance. I feel most of us have felt the way she has performed this song.
Dame Judy can do ANYTHING and do it well. Even though she doesn't have the greatest voice she puts this song over very well! If you want to get into Dame Judy Dench, check out the britcom, "As Time Goes By", she is fantastic in it!
Having seen/heard many versions of this - including those by trained opera singers -I still think this captures the emotion of this realisation of a love forever denied better than ever
@mcgill3432 In the play, in the end, there's a moment of hope, tinged with regret and both partners' knowledge of themselves as fools ("a summer night smiles 3 times, once for the fools, who know too little..."). But at the moment when this is sung, it does appear to be a love forever denied. No one does it better. Dame Judi is astonishing, devastating.
If 'singing' is about evoking feeling and moving the listener then Judi might be regarded as one of the best singers, irrespective of whether she hits some notes or not. A beautiful rendition of a beautiful song. Outstanding.
@ugahush I totally agree! I first heard this song on a musical cd which had the themes to many broadway musicals and this was my favorite. I was so moved by this emotional ballad, I couldn't help but to memorize the words along with the inflections and enunciations of certain verses of the song. I like it much better this way than sung as a ballad.
Though I prefer when the "don't bother, they're here" part is done with dry sarcastic exasperation rather than released pent-up anger. But she always seems to sing it that way.
I agree with 9maestro: She isn't a brilliant singer, especially considering that I just watched Sigrid Thornton do this so fantastically less than an hour ago. BUT she does give perhaps the best musical theatre performance of this song up here on YouTube. You don't just need to be a singer to do credit to this song: you need to be an actress, and Judi Dench certainly is that!
oh - so wondefrul. she sings like awoman who has lived and loved - and lost and loved again. Judy Dench won't watch herself on screen because she says that in her head she is a tall willowy blonde. if only she could see her truth., ger beauty, her elegance. thank you so much for posting this - i'm typing through my tears. with love, robbie xx
@Josefesque How does she DO IT? Every single word is a story in itself when she performs this. And so many stories and shades... it's heart wrenching. She got the details in the pronunciation, and all the places where there was irony, she nailed each one without any sort of artificial nuance. That was brilliant.
@Josefesque@Josefesque How does she DO IT? Every single word is a story in itself when she performs this. And so many stories and shades... it's heart wrenching. She got the details in the pronunciation, and all the places where there was irony, she nailed each one without any sort of artificial nuance. That was brilliant. Sondheim would have been so very proud. I like Zeta-Jones for her guts, but she made too many mistakes and can afford to train enough to make it perfect.
I've seen three really *great* performances of "Send in the Clowns" on YouTube: Glenn Close, Ruthie Henshall, and Dame Judi Dench; I like Dame Judi's version the best. Perhaps because she's singing to another actor (who is also outstanding), she really gives life to Desiree here. Her phrasing is so perfect - each pain and disappointment registers on her face and in her voice. She struggles to laugh at herself, but the pain is too overwhelming. This performance is heart-breakingly beautiful.
She's not a bad singer, but she's not necessarily the strongest of singers - at least in this I'm not sure about elsewhere. But her performance is astounding! It gives me hope that even though I am not a strong singer at all, that maybe one day I could still act a role like this... but I'm not a strong actress either. But we'll see hehe!
@Lacedbackwards Oh I know that, what I meant was I don't think Judi herself is a strong singer (from what I've seen) BUT I still think she does an exceptional job the way she has sung it without needing to belt strongly :)
the imperfections in her voice are what makes this song so devastating.This is not a song for a girl.,a woman of years is required. Dame Judy you are a true treasure for Britain.
@purpledynasty ....you do know she has been in maaaaaaaany other thing that is far far far better then James Bond, it is truly sad that many only know her from those movies
I do agree bjam89 but let's not be too judgmental about the Bond exposure for Dame Judi. Think how many have become fans due to her many turns as "M". The more fans the better I say!
Yeah I didn't mean to sound judgmental it is just sad that most only know her from bond, she is a great what ever the female form of actor is, she has done maaany heartbreaking movies and stuff like that and it is kind of sad that many have not seen them (i knew a guy who was saying her best acting job was as M it really broke my heart that he was sure that was her best role) i love her as M but it is by far not her best role in my mind ergo i feel sad when i hear people only know her as M
@bjam89 i agree, but any adult or someone who enjoys movies, knows judi dench has had a remarkable and very long career, just the younger population doesn't
In the circus, when someone would fall and die or be killed in anyway, they would "Send in the Clowns." This is where that term comes from. Makes it even more sad
Well being 56 and having experienced my own fair share of heartache and a lost love, I can certainly empathise and sympathise with the sentiments expressed in this song. You have to have LIVED and truly LOVED, as well as to have LOST, to really portray effectively the real true, raw emotion that she conveys. A consummate actress and professional, she clearly draws not only on her acting prowess - but from life itself, and the combination provides the viewer with a truly outstanding performance.
By any normal standards this lady cant sing; yet this beautiful lady gives this beautiful song the performance it truly deserves. This is absolutely breathtaking-you would need a heart of stone not to be moved.
@9maestro I think that's why this performance is so amazing! Glynnis Johns, the original Desiree in "ALM", could not sing. Sondheim wrote this song specifically for an actor to perform. The lyrics are absolutely brilliant and I think singing it too much takes away from the song. Well done Judi!
in the show the character is a fading English actress and Sondheim's lyrics are intentionally mannered....after all she is used to playing to the gallery! Dench's reading gets this perfectly. I saw the original cast and GlynissJohns for whom it was written played it very similarly.
@nsimpson76 To me, and I know not everyone agrees, you can hit all the notes but miss the point. Dame Julie's version leaves me cold. It may be too subtle for me, and I do love Julie Andrews, but one can hear her version and wonder what all the fuss was about. This is a kind of death, and it should feel like that. I saw Bernadette's version this summer, and it may be the best--both technically flawless and exquisitely heartfelt.
@noahsdad61 You have a point, but the song was actually supposed to be half sung, half spoken and Glynis Johns (the person it was intended for) couldn't actually sing, and she acted the hell out of it. I think Dench's version has more of the Johns' style in it.
Hello there M
Is there anything Judi Dench can't do?
bravo!
LAYITLOOSE 1 month ago
Oh, yes. Bravo.
Christina5Archer 2 months ago
...then, green with envy, Barbra S. pushed 'dislike' button and nagged her husband to do the same... poor man relented... who are the #3 and #4 ? ;
Mazurka1001 2 months ago in playlist Easy Does It !
This is amazing. She brings such emotion into the song and you can feel the sorrow and regret of the character. Brings tears to my eyes. Thats why she is one of Britains best actresses
rarchibald1991 2 months ago
@rarchibald1991 One of Britains best actresses====she would have to be one of the best actresses in the WORLD.
music1831 1 month ago
Judi Dench is quite possibly the most phenomenal woman and actress of the 20th/21st centuries. She is an absolute gem.
MissAspka 3 months ago 2
I always loved her acting skills, but I just melt while listing to her singing this song. She's a beautiful lady.
sorr3nto 3 months ago in playlist Liked 2
I could say lots of things about this incredible woman,
but i'll only say:
You know her name.
MrMaxHD 3 months ago
When I was a young girl my mum would listen to Barbra Streisand sing this. Despite me hearing many versions such Elizabeth Taylor, Glenn Close, and Streisand, I heard the song but never felt it. Now at 30 odd and hearing Dame Judi Dench TELL this beautiful love story, I understand, and yes I weep.
aj1373 3 months ago 2
Bravo Judy Dench
sylviajorgentorolaf 4 months ago 3
She makes me want to see the whole musical! Bravo!
rassledassle82 4 months ago
Judi's voice makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and my eyes start to fill. Brilliant. Not only the song, but to act as well as sing. Not many have that ability.
DAVE32154 4 months ago 2
Comment removed
sbull78 4 months ago
this is amazing, but i will say that every actress will sing it differently and have different views on the song. this is an amazing way to sing this song, but it doesn't make catherine zeta jones's or ruthie henshall's renditions bad, it just means that they are performed in a different way
xlxsarah 4 months ago
PERFECTION!
florazab1 5 months ago
Dame Judi does this so amazingly I must say I am so impressed!!! She had me in tears with this one. <3 Judi !!!
Mshochat723 5 months ago 2
Dame Judi can sing....... I would never have guessed it.
martythetickler 6 months ago
If you FEEL your Life...the way You LOVE someone...
along, inside if the time you have here on the Planet...
THIS is what it sounds like...
Miss Dench ...I can feel this love...
Miss Ahhh
anchatcat 6 months ago
very moving, goosebumps
tudorhistoryguy 6 months ago
i would looooooooove to se a film with Dame judy and Ghita Nørby from Denmark
perhaps a job for Susanne Bier
eron1963 6 months ago
I have no words to describe this - I am in tears.
Blibish 6 months ago
God she had me bawling. I take back everything I said before, she deserved that Oscar!
Doylefromhell 7 months ago
oh dear, i do believe she's touching my soul.
wrongjargon 7 months ago 16
at 24 years old i shouldn't love this as much as Judi has made me
cheynerussell 7 months ago 6
I want her acting skills!
clicky3000 8 months ago
I love this actress...and I love this song too !!! ♥
MlleHarker 8 months ago
Interesting to learn that it was written for actors and not singers and yes, that makes sense. It is a fairly simple melody, even I can sing it (although I usually play it) . It's not that technically difficult but still very enjoyable music, one of those truly great melodies.
drbalalajka 8 months ago
One thing you have to realize is that Sondheim did not write this song for singers. He wrote it for actors, specifically for the actress Glynis Johns, who was not a singer and did not have the breath capacity for sustaining long phrases. This is probably the reason why a brilliant actress like Dame Judi Dench can make this work so well.
snafu313 8 months ago
The director/coordinator of this Cam Mc special did a very bad thing here. They had someone, a fave singer of mine, follow this performance :( Can you imagine performing right after that brilliant performance? Poor Michael Ball.
jgalt7 8 months ago
i remember seeing this version the first time around, back when pbs first aired it. the song always made me sad but couldn't understand why other than the obvious reason that the melody is sad. after seeing the dame, i understood what this song finally meant.
jgalt7 8 months ago
Judi Dench is a great actress
92af 9 months ago
she has a good voice does our dame dench
hsomerville09 9 months ago
What a wonderful preformance. She ia fantastic. :)
itsCARLDOUGLAS 9 months ago
i aodre her she sings so throaty not like other performers. I get chills hearing her sing this song.
Bluedolphingirl01 9 months ago
I think it is because she is the consumate actress added to the fact she has lived a rich and full life. I have no doubts she has lived at some point the emotions evoked in this piece. This allows her to call upon her formidible acting chops, added to her life's experiences and give a stunning performance that really brings this song to life. It touches a place in all of us that we can't hide in the face of her performance.
Diarmid63 9 months ago
"Don't bother..... they're here" wow.... absolute chills
thestar13 10 months ago
the best interpretation.. superb.
sonnybleureyes 11 months ago
The greatest actress of all time, she just blows your mind.....WOW
alonzo728 11 months ago
Tears stain my face. Moving and achingly beautiful.
jaquen1977 11 months ago
She acts out this song. She's not that great a singer, but her great acting compensates for this. :)
FToniS 11 months ago
Formidable!
Hforshort 11 months ago
Dame Judi Dench is my favorite performer in anything she does. This song has been my friend for many years.
delphineaz 1 year ago
no one performs this song better. just how sondheim imagined.
pdxexplorer1973 1 year ago
i cry everytime i watch her sing, the acting overwhelms everything the song is absolutely perfect. Love it!
HH88ization 1 year ago
There is true regret and longing to her voice. As it should be. Bravo.
BillF1967 1 year ago
even if she's not a strong singer, her performance is as always, impeccable.
cnnyall 1 year ago
the guy is so unconvincing but GO Judi! LOve the emphasis on 'ought' last part
hunkhk 1 year ago
the guy is so unconvincing but GO Judi!
hunkhk 1 year ago
I've always thought of Judi Dench as a brilliant actress but I had no idea she could put so much feeling into one of my favorite songs. I've always prefered the Glynis Johns version, but hearing Judi Dench, I felt a shiver down my back and had tears in my eyes. Well Done Judi.
DAVE32154 1 year ago
BRAVO!!!
sawleo 1 year ago
OMG I've been listening to so many versions of this song... and this one brought me to tears! Judi Dench is just amazing!
xedra 1 year ago 2
This is a perfect example of of how intangible Judi Dench is... only she could sing a song (singing being used very loosely) and still make it so insanely beautiful... Rock on.
luckeeskeff 1 year ago 3
Beautiful. I don't feel the need to choose between this version and that of Ruthie Henshall. Stunning in their own way and mkes me proud to be British. Congrats Dame Judi on your award for best stage actor xx
SuperStonerose 1 year ago
Beautiful. I don't feel the need to choose between this version and that of Ruthie Hensall. Stunning in their own way and mkes me proud to be British. Congrats Dame Judi on your award for best stage actor xx
SuperStonerose 1 year ago
Perfectly heartbreaking. I love Dame Judi Dench.
kirinrex 1 year ago
Goosebumps everytime!!!
Erictheeviltwin 1 year ago
A stunning performance by a stunning actress, there's no-one to beat this wonderful Dame.
carolgladman 1 year ago
Thanks Dame Judi Dench for making me feel the song.... I am reduced to tears... silent tears...
fossyfrancis 1 year ago 2
Breathtaking.
LawdHelp 1 year ago
Unique !!!!
albertvh 1 year ago
Beyond any words. Thank you Dame Judi, thank you for existing...
Bassonobile 1 year ago
Heart of stone.
seethevolcane 1 year ago
Was für eine tolle, wunderschöne und starke frau. ich liebe sie.
burgstargard 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
absolutely incredible
dogleg2you 1 year ago
some songs are meant to be sung. some songs are meant to be performed. Dame Judi Dench delivers a wonderful performance. I feel most of us have felt the way she has performed this song.
califdrmer 1 year ago 2
8Peony
has hit it on the head
the fact that she is not a trained singer
and is acted is what makes this so good
blondbear2 1 year ago
Dame Judy can do ANYTHING and do it well. Even though she doesn't have the greatest voice she puts this song over very well! If you want to get into Dame Judy Dench, check out the britcom, "As Time Goes By", she is fantastic in it!
RImusclebear 1 year ago
@RImusclebear I'll bet you a tenner she can't do death metal well.
sagnella 1 year ago
Breathtaking. I never liked this song until i heard Glyinis Johns sing it. ANd now Judi. Sigh....It has become one of my most treasured songs.
MikeysGayToday 1 year ago
This is a phenomenal performance by Dame Judi! Acted, rather than sung, full of memories, and regret at lost opportunities.
Does anyone know the date of performance?
8Peony 1 year ago
Go Dame Go! Love ya! M!
danjim1204 1 year ago
Oh my god. I thought Sally Ann Howes was good but this is amazing.
relagro 1 year ago
I have seen few better acting performances in my time.
subconciousrocks 1 year ago
Magnificent.
It's not about how pretty the voice is, particularly for this song; there are few performances that I have believed more. An artist.
DesiderataTruth 1 year ago
Breathtaking!
nixynooo 1 year ago
In my opinion,this version is the best .Judi sings with little bit of anger and depression but will her love come back? NO.....
tuhsiaofu 1 year ago 2
Having seen/heard many versions of this - including those by trained opera singers -I still think this captures the emotion of this realisation of a love forever denied better than ever
mcgill3432 1 year ago 2
@mcgill3432 In the play, in the end, there's a moment of hope, tinged with regret and both partners' knowledge of themselves as fools ("a summer night smiles 3 times, once for the fools, who know too little..."). But at the moment when this is sung, it does appear to be a love forever denied. No one does it better. Dame Judi is astonishing, devastating.
noahsdad61 1 year ago
Bravo, bravo, my dear Dame Judi....
plutobeliever 1 year ago
There is nothing she cannot do on a stage. Bloody hell.
yankeehatinactor 1 year ago
wow a stunning performance, I love this lady.
sorr3nto 1 year ago
If 'singing' is about evoking feeling and moving the listener then Judi might be regarded as one of the best singers, irrespective of whether she hits some notes or not. A beautiful rendition of a beautiful song. Outstanding.
shadybear 1 year ago 3
@shadybear The notes are there to be hit. How this confuses people is beyond me.
90lysander 1 year ago
@90lysander i agree. For me I prefer versions that are acted out. Not a fan of those who sing it as an ballad
ugahush 1 year ago
@ugahush I'm glad you agree with me, but I'm afraid you totally misunderstood what I said. :P
90lysander 1 year ago
@ugahush I totally agree! I first heard this song on a musical cd which had the themes to many broadway musicals and this was my favorite. I was so moved by this emotional ballad, I couldn't help but to memorize the words along with the inflections and enunciations of certain verses of the song. I like it much better this way than sung as a ballad.
2710Pocahontas 1 year ago
Beautiful.
Though I prefer when the "don't bother, they're here" part is done with dry sarcastic exasperation rather than released pent-up anger. But she always seems to sing it that way.
Bohonk212 1 year ago
I agree with 9maestro: She isn't a brilliant singer, especially considering that I just watched Sigrid Thornton do this so fantastically less than an hour ago. BUT she does give perhaps the best musical theatre performance of this song up here on YouTube. You don't just need to be a singer to do credit to this song: you need to be an actress, and Judi Dench certainly is that!
WhoaKittyKitty 1 year ago
astounding woman a true british actress!
NorthernFella 1 year ago
oh - so wondefrul. she sings like awoman who has lived and loved - and lost and loved again. Judy Dench won't watch herself on screen because she says that in her head she is a tall willowy blonde. if only she could see her truth., ger beauty, her elegance. thank you so much for posting this - i'm typing through my tears. with love, robbie xx
robbiew8n 1 year ago 3
@robbiew8n Agree one hundred percent. She is a regal presence.
kamwrites 1 year ago
@kamwrites thank you for your agreement. We are two cool dudes - or at least we are if yr a dude too, LOL.
robbiew8n 1 year ago
my favorite desiree. theres nothing worse then listening to this song sung beautifully. its meant to sound like how she feels: crappy
jeanpitalle19 1 year ago 2
Something about the way she says-" sorry ,my dear".Its amazing.
newrochellephoenix 1 year ago
Breathtaking, she reduced me to tears. Perfection does exist
Robi6942 1 year ago
ok she make me cry...
loguld 1 year ago
Superb...but then that is to be expected from Dame Judy!
francovance1 1 year ago
Brilliant. This is the intention of the song. Subtle. And she's the right age for this piece. Catherine Zeta-Jones is way too young to be singing it.
RachelWolfMusic 1 year ago 2
Totally awesome - soooooo much better than Catherine Zeta-Jones -
crail00 1 year ago
Wow. That's amazing. Thrilling, sensitive and moving. I hope I manage to deliver that much emotion to an audience even once in my career.
heedlix 1 year ago
Eat your heart out, Miss Zeta-Jones.
And learn a thing or two from your talented elders.
Josefesque 1 year ago 34
@Josefesque How does she DO IT? Every single word is a story in itself when she performs this. And so many stories and shades... it's heart wrenching. She got the details in the pronunciation, and all the places where there was irony, she nailed each one without any sort of artificial nuance. That was brilliant.
TheCatholicFaithfu 10 months ago 2
@Josefesque @Josefesque How does she DO IT? Every single word is a story in itself when she performs this. And so many stories and shades... it's heart wrenching. She got the details in the pronunciation, and all the places where there was irony, she nailed each one without any sort of artificial nuance. That was brilliant. Sondheim would have been so very proud. I like Zeta-Jones for her guts, but she made too many mistakes and can afford to train enough to make it perfect.
TheCatholicFaithfu 10 months ago
Now that is how you sing " Send in the Clowns"
Moothy88 1 year ago 3
Now THIS is how this song is performed. Learn from the masters.
SwankyCub 1 year ago 12
wow I found this amazing and I was so surprized at how good Judy is , I fell in love with her, she is beautiful.
sorr3nto 1 year ago
I love Judy Dench! She's such a great actress.
zachk1983 1 year ago
just simply magical
piwhite1990 1 year ago
love...so touching...
mjvl18 1 year ago
fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love her....
terryga1 1 year ago
completely heartbreaking. her voice cracks and wavers in all the right places. perfection.
talleywog 1 year ago 3
I absolutely love Dame Judi in this role. I believe that she makes it a real experience and not just sung pretty.
wmwalker71 1 year ago
I've seen three really *great* performances of "Send in the Clowns" on YouTube: Glenn Close, Ruthie Henshall, and Dame Judi Dench; I like Dame Judi's version the best. Perhaps because she's singing to another actor (who is also outstanding), she really gives life to Desiree here. Her phrasing is so perfect - each pain and disappointment registers on her face and in her voice. She struggles to laugh at herself, but the pain is too overwhelming. This performance is heart-breakingly beautiful.
lesliedrewh 1 year ago
WOW!!! I think she was better than Glenn Close singing this but I still think that Babs is the best
Ddouds206 1 year ago
Wonderful rendition of this sad song. Brought tears to my eyes.
Stud1954 1 year ago
Woooo hoooo, THAT'S the way it's done! Heartwrenching!
lwellsnyc 1 year ago
Stunning & heartbreaking. Absolute perfection.
bettyboy72 1 year ago
Perfect... Take note CATHERINE ZETA...
mjmcfarland13 1 year ago
she cant sing but she puts bloody emotion in to it rule Britannia
bodboy106 1 year ago
She's not a bad singer, but she's not necessarily the strongest of singers - at least in this I'm not sure about elsewhere. But her performance is astounding! It gives me hope that even though I am not a strong singer at all, that maybe one day I could still act a role like this... but I'm not a strong actress either. But we'll see hehe!
Beautiful! <3
Kahiara 1 year ago 8
@Kahiara this song is not meant to be sung strong it is supoosed to be haunting
Lacedbackwards 1 year ago
@Lacedbackwards Oh I know that, what I meant was I don't think Judi herself is a strong singer (from what I've seen) BUT I still think she does an exceptional job the way she has sung it without needing to belt strongly :)
Kahiara 1 year ago
She breaks my heart when she sings this... she truly astonishes me!
MsBroadwayButterfly 1 year ago 2
OMG, Dame Judi just broke my heart!
cyranothe2nd 1 year ago
Ugh when she says Don't bother...and then that brief pause...heartbreaking.
ashleyluvr3434 1 year ago
Breathtaking performance!
Brava Dame Judi!
zeena61 1 year ago
the imperfections in her voice are what makes this song so devastating.This is not a song for a girl.,a woman of years is required. Dame Judy you are a true treasure for Britain.
dirtyblondny 1 year ago
there is nothing about this that does not hint sublime perfection
angerbearftw 1 year ago
tender earthshattering and riveting. amazing. what i wouldnt give to share a moment or a drink with ms. dench.
satan165 1 year ago
Where's Moneypenny and James?
purpledynasty 1 year ago
@purpledynasty ....you do know she has been in maaaaaaaany other thing that is far far far better then James Bond, it is truly sad that many only know her from those movies
bjam89 1 year ago 2
I do agree bjam89 but let's not be too judgmental about the Bond exposure for Dame Judi. Think how many have become fans due to her many turns as "M". The more fans the better I say!
mcgonagallrules 1 year ago
Yeah I didn't mean to sound judgmental it is just sad that most only know her from bond, she is a great what ever the female form of actor is, she has done maaany heartbreaking movies and stuff like that and it is kind of sad that many have not seen them (i knew a guy who was saying her best acting job was as M it really broke my heart that he was sure that was her best role) i love her as M but it is by far not her best role in my mind ergo i feel sad when i hear people only know her as M
bjam89 1 year ago
@bjam89 i agree, but any adult or someone who enjoys movies, knows judi dench has had a remarkable and very long career, just the younger population doesn't
Museleaders 1 year ago
In the circus, when someone would fall and die or be killed in anyway, they would "Send in the Clowns." This is where that term comes from. Makes it even more sad
movezoo 1 year ago
thanks for sharing that
and yes - it makes it even more sad
an untouchable performance.
tard1171 1 year ago
thanks for sharing that
yes, it makes it even more sad
an untouchable performance
tard1171 1 year ago
Rips my heart out. You have to know heartbreak to truly understand.
antinerf127 1 year ago
Rips my heart out!
antinerf127 1 year ago
The absolute definitive performance - Shattering !!
shafuffuff 1 year ago
i could cry.
gillianshields 1 year ago
That's an artist.
pjroberts3 2 years ago
Im not sure about politics but the quote by Coco channel on your channel about you, and this song and Marilyn im thinking Yea IM subscribeing!!
fancyladydiane1 2 years ago
I love Judi Dench.
cutevwbug 2 years ago
Of all the countless versions of this song that have been recorded over the years, this one is the best. Hands down. Not even close.
Bravo Dame Judi. Breathtaking.
BNMadman 2 years ago 2
Well being 56 and having experienced my own fair share of heartache and a lost love, I can certainly empathise and sympathise with the sentiments expressed in this song. You have to have LIVED and truly LOVED, as well as to have LOST, to really portray effectively the real true, raw emotion that she conveys. A consummate actress and professional, she clearly draws not only on her acting prowess - but from life itself, and the combination provides the viewer with a truly outstanding performance.
adamcadell 2 years ago 17
GENIUS!
vanesaablueyes 2 years ago 2
the most moving version I have ever heard or seen.
jodona76 2 years ago 12
Just amazing it brought to tears !!!
bladgoud 2 years ago 3
What can I say? I'm speechless. The most amazing peformance I ever heard.
christopher242424 2 years ago 7
By any normal standards this lady cant sing; yet this beautiful lady gives this beautiful song the performance it truly deserves. This is absolutely breathtaking-you would need a heart of stone not to be moved.
9maestro 2 years ago 51
I call her rendering of this song a "reading." I never liked or understood it until I heard Dame Judi's rendering. She is a genius.
Cramnella 2 years ago 5
@9maestro I think that's why this performance is so amazing! Glynnis Johns, the original Desiree in "ALM", could not sing. Sondheim wrote this song specifically for an actor to perform. The lyrics are absolutely brilliant and I think singing it too much takes away from the song. Well done Judi!
siroakleigh98 1 year ago
Amazing performance! amazing actress
fludu1 2 years ago 4
Is that Bernadette Peters in the background?
lustertheleopard 2 years ago 2
Yes it is Bernadette.
mcgonagallrules 2 years ago
@lustertheleopard
noahsdad61 1 year ago
in the show the character is a fading English actress and Sondheim's lyrics are intentionally mannered....after all she is used to playing to the gallery! Dench's reading gets this perfectly. I saw the original cast and GlynissJohns for whom it was written played it very similarly.
jimdivax 2 years ago 4
Not bad, M.
Nightfighter74 2 years ago
Back in the 60's, Judi Dench was the original Sally Bowles in London stage premiere of Cabaret.
wayneablood 2 years ago
this is an outstanding performance... I saw this clip in a room with other musical actors and we all had to cry... :D
KENZeichen 2 years ago 3
brilliant actress
stacynewyork 2 years ago 3
beautiful..i'm crying ...
<3
TheSarahRain 2 years ago 21
@TheSarahRain... me too :(
tlcfiend 1 year ago
This performance of this song makes me weep. Perfection.
fluidstatic 2 years ago 5
This song has to be the "To Be Or Not To Be" of musical theater. And Dame Judi Dench is Sir Laurence Olivier in performing it. I am in rapture.
RafaelPReyes 2 years ago 5
best performance of the song ...bravo!
melaniemurry 2 years ago 5
Great Song ! love Dame Judi Dench ^^"
CrazyworldFab 2 years ago 4
Love this but also love Julie Andrews version. I think hers is a little cleaner.
nsimpson76 2 years ago
@nsimpson76 To me, "clean" is not true to the song.
noahsdad61 1 year ago
@noahsdad61 just because I say clean doesn't mean that it can't be heart-felt. Julie Andrews version is clean and very heart-felt.
nsimpson76 1 year ago
@nsimpson76 To me, and I know not everyone agrees, you can hit all the notes but miss the point. Dame Julie's version leaves me cold. It may be too subtle for me, and I do love Julie Andrews, but one can hear her version and wonder what all the fuss was about. This is a kind of death, and it should feel like that. I saw Bernadette's version this summer, and it may be the best--both technically flawless and exquisitely heartfelt.
noahsdad61 1 year ago
@noahsdad61 You have a point, but the song was actually supposed to be half sung, half spoken and Glynis Johns (the person it was intended for) couldn't actually sing, and she acted the hell out of it. I think Dench's version has more of the Johns' style in it.
scorzi 1 year ago
Absolutely stunning, the most moving version I've ever heard.
tuneperson2009 2 years ago 6
Lovely Judi Dench - I didn't know you were a singer too! <3 But now I know!
qdfjbmaria 2 years ago 4
WOW! What a performance. Best rendition I have ever heard of a well travelled song. Bravo!!
cubbyfan69 2 years ago 6
i love her she is amazing
lou178 2 years ago 4
Bsides all that acting and charisma this woman can also sing?
adballet 2 years ago 3
absolutely incredible
christhestarkey23 2 years ago 4