Dames Eileen Atkins, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright and Maggie Smith have let the cameras in on a friendship that goes back more than half a century. The four acting greats discuss their careers and reminisce about their humble beginnings in the theatre.

Tea with Mussolini: Directed by Franco Zeffirelli. With Cher, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Maggie Smith. An orphaned Italian boy is raised amongst a circle of British and American women living in Mussolini's Italy before and during World War II.

Celebrate the life of Joan Plowright, the stage and screen legend known for her roles in Enchanted April, The Entertainer, and Avalon.

In particular Maggie Smith (Hester), the crusty, sharp tongued wife of the former ambassador, and Joan Plowright as Mary, the sweet but strong grandmotherly type who essentially adopts Luca were fantastic.

What happens when four legends of British stage and screen get together? Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Eileen Atkins, and Dame Joan Plowright are among the most celebrated actresses of our time, with scores of iconic performances, decades of wisdom, and innumerable Oscars, Tonys, Emmys, and BAFTAs between them.

Dames Eileen Atkins, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright and Maggie Smith have let the cameras in on a friendship that goes back more than half a century. The four acting greats discuss their careers and reminisce about their humble beginnings in the theatre.

Celebrate the life and career of Dame Maggie Smith, the Oscar-winning actress beloved for her performances in Downton Abbey, Harry Potter and much more.

Cher, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Lily Tomlin, and Joan Plowright in Tea with Mussolini (1999)

Maggie Smith : It's not rude at all. Judi Dench : It's very, very rude. Joan Plowright : Well, that's America, darling. That's how they talk. Joan Plowright : You said a marvelous thing, Judi, when you were asked to do Cleopatra. Judi Dench : I can't remember. I …

Amongst the Scorpioni, Lady Hester Random (Dame Maggie Smith), the widow of the former ambassador to Italy, in particular and Elsa do not get along because of their fundamental outward differences.