The English Patient

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The English Patient

R

Released Nov 6, 1996

2h 42m

Drama

Romance

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Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

93 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

The sweeping expanses of the Sahara are the setting for a passionate love affair in this adaptation of Michael Ondaatje's novel. A badly burned man, Laszlo de Almasy (Ralph Fiennes), is tended to by a nurse, Hana (Juliette Binoche), in an Italian monastery near the end of World War II. His past is revealed through flashbacks involving a married Englishwoman (Kristin Scott Thomas) and his work mapping the African landscape. Hana learns to heal her own scars as she helps the dying man.

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Critics Consensus

Though it suffers from excessive length and ambition, director Minghella's adaptation of the Michael Ondaatje novel is complex, powerful, and moving.

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Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

If Minghella's debut feature Truly, Madly, Deeply was overrated -- a Ghost for the NW3 set -- this movie is a quantum leap towards cinema's potential for magic.

Feb 4, 2020

Full Review

Geoff Brown

Times (UK)

You can take your brain to The English Patient and you will not be insulted. Your eyes will not be offended either. This scarcely makes Minghella's film the best in the world; it just makes it loom large.

Feb 4, 2020

Full Review

Jay Carr

Boston Globe

Its wit, sophistication and artistry never are at odds with the fundamental pull of a powerful love story that out-Zhivagos Doctor Zhivago because it respects love's mysteries, admits it doesn't know the heart's boundaries.

Apr 27, 2018

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

... a 'Casablanca' for the 90s, directed with sweep, elegance, and grand passions by Anthony Minghella from his screenplay adaptation of Michael Ondaatje’s novel.

Nov 18, 2023

Full Review

Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

...from sweeping vistas, incredible performances, and one incredible score, Anthony Minghella’s The English Patient is one of the most beautiful films...

Jun 14, 2023

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The rich complexity of Minghella's approach finds an incomparable balance between classical storytelling and a modern formal treatment, and therein realizes one of the most enduring, beloved, and unique romances ever to come out of Hollywood.

Rated: 4/4

Mar 21, 2022

Full Review

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Audience Member

IMO, the most beautifully realized big screen love story of all time. Gorgeously shot, with powerful performances by the two leads. I will always come back to this film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/12/24

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Chris W

So long and slow! Seemed like it would never end.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/18/24

Full Review

Audience Member

This was the first movie I ever watched with my future wife and her parents. It’s been 14 years and we still discuss how me making them watch this movie is probably the most horrible thing I’ve ever done to my relationship with her parents. My mother in law said it was the most boring night of her entire life.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/05/24

Full Review

Farah R

If I had to choose three words to describe The English Patient, I'd pick slow, sluggish, and sad. The film's leisurely pace becomes tedious early on, and its bleak story is utterly depressing. Despite the exquisite performances of the entire cast, not a single character is likable or relatable. It's easy to see why the film won Best Picture at the Academy Awards, among others, but it's not particularly enjoyable.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/03/24

Full Review

matthias s

"The English Patient" really surprised me. I found it a bit slow and too long, but it was still very captivating. The story is deep and emotional, and the actors did a fantastic job. Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas had great chemistry, making their love story believable and moving. The film’s scenery was stunning and added to the overall mood. Even though it dragged in some parts, I can see why it got so many Oscar nominations. The cast was strong, and their performances made the characters come alive. Overall, it's a film with flaws but also many beautiful moments.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/10/24

Full Review

Castiel’s G

The English Patient may be the saddest film I’ve ever seen. I didn’t expect to be so moved, and I was absolutely devastated by a love story about two imperfect people with WWII as a backdrop. Superb acting, Superb writing, Superb costumes, Superb directing.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/18/24

Full Review

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Anthony Minghella

Director

Ralph Fiennes

Count Laszlo de Almásy

Juliette Binoche

Hana

Willem Dafoe

David Caravaggio

Kristin Scott Thomas

Katharine Clifton

Naveen Andrews

Lt. Kip Singh

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The English Patient: Official Clip - Always Loved You

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The English Patient: Official Clip - I Promise I'll Never Leave You

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The English Patient: Official Clip - Defusing a Bomb

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The English Patient: Official Clip - Why Were You Holding His Collar?

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The English Patient: Official Clip - Happy Christmas

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The English Patient: Official Clip - May I Have This Dance

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The English Patient: Official Clip - The Major Who Takes Thumbs

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The English Patient: Official Clip - In Love with Ghosts

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Synopsis

The sweeping expanses of the Sahara are the setting for a passionate love affair in this adaptation of Michael Ondaatje's novel. A badly burned man, Laszlo de Almasy (Ralph Fiennes), is tended to by a nurse, Hana (Juliette Binoche), in an Italian monastery near the end of World War II. His past is revealed through flashbacks involving a married Englishwoman (Kristin Scott Thomas) and his work mapping the African landscape. Hana learns to heal her own scars as she helps the dying man.

Director: Anthony Minghella
Producer: Saul Zaentz
Screenwriter: Michael Ondaatje, Anthony Minghella
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax Films, J&M Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 6, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $78.7M
Runtime: 2h 42m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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