Persian Realm

A look at the life of Margaret Thatcher (Meryl Streep), the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, with a focus on the price she paid for power.

The Iron Lady (2011) Directed by Phyllida Lloyd. With Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent, Richard E. Grant, Harry Lloyd.

Official Teaser:

Plot:

Tells the story of a woman who smashed through the barriers of gender and class to be heard in a male-dominated world. The story concerns power and the price that is paid for power, and is a surprising and insightful portrait of an extraordinary and complex woman.

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IRON LADY
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Meryl Streep's Margaret Thatcher revealed in first still from The Iron Lady Catherine Shoard (guardian)

Biopic about Britain's first female PM by Mamma Mia! director Phyllida Lloyd also stars Jim Broadbent as Denis Thatcher

Last week, the new Man of Steel was revealed. Today, it's the turn of The Iron Lady,the Margaret Thatcher biopic that marks the latest collaboration for Meryl Streep and her Mamma Mia! director, Phyllida Lloyd.

The film, written by Abi Morgan (Sex Traffic,Brick Lane),started shooting at the end of January. Jim Broadbent plays Denis Thatcher, with Olivia Coleman as their daughter, Carol, and Alexandra Roach and Harry Lloyd as the couple in younger days. Anthony Head is Geoffrey Howe, Richard E Grant plays Michael Heseltine, Julian Wadham is Francis Pym and Michael Pennington Labour leader Michael Foot. Roger Allam rounds off the cast as television journalist-turned-political strategist Gordon Reece.

The film is billed as the story of "a woman who smashed through the barriers of genderand class to be heard in a male-dominated world. The story concerns power and the price that is paid for power, and is a surprising and intimate portrait of an extraordinary and complex woman."

Streep has welcomed the challenge of playing Britain's first female prime minister. "The prospect of exploring the swathe cut through history by this remarkable woman is a daunting and exciting challenge," she said. "I am trying to approach the role with as much zeal, fervour and attention todetail as the real Lady Thatcher possesses – I can only hope my stamina will beginto approach her own!"

The Iron Lady has already run into controversy. Last November it was revealed to beone of the last major beneficiaries of funding from the UK Film Council– a move some interpreted as a last-gasp snook cocked at the in coming Conservative-coalition government, which disbanded the UKFC shortly after winning power.

Thatcher's family were apparently appalled by the prospect of the film, said to involve the former prime minister reassessing her career with some regret after the death of her husband, and while suffering from dementia."They think it sounds like some left-wing fantasy," a friend of thefamily was reported to have said.

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