'' Mr. Turner '' is a 2014 biographical drama film based on the last 25 years of the life of painter J. M. W. Turner ( 1775 – 1851 ) . Written and directed by Mike Leigh , the film stars Timothy Spall in the title role , with Dorothy Atkinson , Paul Jesson , Marion Bailey , Lesley Manville , and Martin Savage . It premiered in competition for the Palme d'Or at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival , where Spall won the award for Best Actor and Dick Pope received a special jury prize for the film 's cinematography
2014 Cannes Film Festival
2014 Cannes Film Festival
Mr. Turner