The English Patient

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The English Patient

R

Released Nov 6, 1996

2h 42m

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

94 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

The 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

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Dan Bayer

Next Best Picture

“The English Patient” is a period romance both sincere and detached. This combination doesn’t fully work, even as everyone involved is doing some spectacular work in bringing a lopsided script to life.

Rated: 6/10

Feb 13, 2025

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

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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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Stephen C

Success in 2 hours and 42 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $78,700,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

Full Review

Christian K

There is romantic chemistry between the leads but this is mostly a dull, dry, and unrewarding watch.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/02/25

Full Review

Audience Member

I remember watching this movie and being really bored with it. It’s so slow and everyone is literally whispering. I’m not saying it’s so bad but it’s not so good either. You watch it for only one time and never go back. Like if it’s on tv you can watch it. But after that you would never say “hey let’s watch this movie again”

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/15/25

Full Review

M D

Initially you might think it is a bit stylized at the expense of substance. Maybe the sub-plot is a bit wooden. But as a whole it is totally eviscerating.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/29/25

Full Review

Ronnie M

You've got to be kidding me

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/25

Full Review

Audience Member

A 90s classic! The acting is superb, the music is masterful, the cinematography is flawless, and the script does justice to the book (as much as a film can).

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/08/25

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

The English Patient: Official Clip - Always Loved You

3:00

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

2:56

The English Patient: Official Clip - Cathedral Paintings

2:22

The English Patient: Official Clip - Defusing a Bomb

2:42

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

1:48

The English Patient: Official Clip - Happy Christmas

4:11

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

2:12

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

2:38

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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