During the 1930s, James Stevens (Anthony Hopkins) serves as a proper English butler to the doltish Lord Darlington (James Fox). Stevens is so dedicated that he forgoes visiting his father on his deathbed in order to serve, and overlooks Darlington's Nazi sympathies and growing anti-Semitism. Twenty years after his employer's death, Stevens tries to reconnect with Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson), Darlington's head housekeeper, and begins to regret his loyalty to his former master.

*Note on 70mm Print: In the run-up to reel five, a red circular pattern appears across the image, resembling a swirling dotted effect. The issue is limited to approximately 10-15 minutes of the presentation and does not render the film unwatchable, though we wanted to make audiences aware in advance.