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The English Patient

Play trailer Poster for The English Patient R 1996 2h 42m Romance War History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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The English Patient

The English Patient

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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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Critics Reviews

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Nigel Andrews Financial Times 02/04/2020
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. Go to Full Review Geoff Brown The Times (UK) 02/04/2020
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. Go to Full Review Jay Carr Boston Globe 04/27/2018
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. Go to Full Review Dan DiNicola The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY) Apr 10
B
It's long and slow, but it has undeniable romantic appeal. This could be the romantic hit of the holiday as well as an Oscar contender. Go to Full Review Dan Bayer Next Best Picture 02/13/2025
6/10
“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. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand 11/18/2023
... a 'Casablanca' for the 90s, directed with sweep, elegance, and grand passions by Anthony Minghella from his screenplay adaptation of Michael Ondaatje’s novel. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Chris S @Janomi Jul 3 The English Patient is a beautifully crafted romantic drama that values atmosphere and emotion over urgency. Anthony Minghella combines breathtaking cinematography, elegant production design, and Gabriel Yared's haunting score to create a film that feels both intimate and epic. The sweeping desert landscapes and quiet moments in the abandoned monastery are just as memorable as the romance itself. Ralph Fiennes delivers a restrained, deeply emotional performance as Count Almásy, while Juliette Binoche, Kristin Scott Thomas, Willem Dafoe, and Naveen Andrews form an outstanding ensemble. Their performances give weight to a richly layered story about love, memory, betrayal, and the lasting scars of war. At nearly three hours, the story unfolds slowly, and the nonlinear structure occasionally interrupts its emotional momentum. Even so, its exceptional performances, beautiful craftsmanship, and moving story make it a rewarding experience for patient viewers. See more Ben W @Username618 Jun 30 Spoiler alert. Remember the soundtrack, but, again... Crashing a plane into someone for revenge, vvvvv unlikely. See more Ivan B @Bogda May 17 Ok story, nice visuals, too long and little slow. Characters not very interesting. Ok for filling the time on the flight, hardly deserving all oscars it won. See more V G @GrayVes May 16 The only really good thing about this movie is Kristen Thomas See more 中翔 谢 @RT88572460 Nov 5 I just love Ralph Fiennes's acting in this movie, his the perfect choice for this role, and so romantic so charming and cold in the outside while I can see the fire of passion burning inside and his accent just make it even better See more thiago s @Thiagostone Oct 12 Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Read all reviews
The English Patient

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Cast & Crew

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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

Movie Clips

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The English Patient

The English Patient: Official Clip - Always Loved You The English Patient: Official Clip - Always Loved You 3:00 The English Patient: Official Clip - I Promise I'll Never Leave You The English Patient: Official Clip - I Promise I'll Never Leave You 2:56 The English Patient: Official Clip - Cathedral Paintings The English Patient: Official Clip - Cathedral Paintings 2:22 The English Patient: Official Clip - Defusing a Bomb The English Patient: Official Clip - Defusing a Bomb 2:42 The English Patient: Official Clip - Why Were You Holding His Collar? The English Patient: Official Clip - Why Were You Holding His Collar? 1:48 The English Patient: Official Clip - Happy Christmas The English Patient: Official Clip - Happy Christmas 4:11 The English Patient: Official Clip - May I Have This Dance The English Patient: Official Clip - May I Have This Dance 2:12 The English Patient: Official Clip - The Major Who Takes Thumbs The English Patient: Official Clip - The Major Who Takes Thumbs 2:38 The English Patient: Official Clip - In Love with Ghosts The English Patient: Official Clip - In Love with Ghosts 2:08 View more videos

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The English Patient

The English Patient (1996) The English Patient (1996) The English Patient (1996) The English Patient (1996) View more photos

Movie Info

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
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Miramax Films, J&M Entertainment
Rating
R
Genre
Romance, War, History, Drama
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)