A new film by Dustin Hoffman zeroes in on life in a retirement village for musicians.

Maggie Smith and Billy Connolly star in the upcoming film Quartet, a story about a group of elderly opera singers who have been asked to stage a benefit concert.

Co-starring Pauline Collins, Tom Courtenay and Michael Gambon, it also features a who’s-who of famous British musicians and performers from the 1950’s and 60’s.

A comedy drama, Quartet involves a simmering love affair as well as the all too familiar difficulties of growing older. Quoting Bette Davis, Colliins’ character repeatedly says “old age is not for sissies.”

75 year old Hoffman said his story is about people in their ‘third act’ and hired elderly actors to give the film authenticity.

"These people in their 70s, 80s and 90s came with such verve every day,” he said, “and that in itself made this an extraordinarily special occasion for all of us."

Quartet releases in cinemas on Boxing Day.