Howards End

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Howards End

PG

Released Mar 13, 1992

2h 20m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

69 Reviews

81%

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10,000+ Ratings

Helen Schlegel falls for Paul Wilcox, but is rebuffed. Her sister Margaret becomes friends with his mother, who promises her the family house, Howards End. Unfortunately, after her death, the will disappears and it appears the inheritance will disappear. Until the widower, Henry Wilcox, becomes attracted to Margaret.

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Critics Consensus

A superbly-mounted adaptation of E.M. Forster's tale of British class tension, with exceptional performances all round, Howard's End ranks among the best of Merchant-Ivory's work.

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Edward Guthmann

San Francisco Chronicle

Adapted from E.M. Forster's novel of human connections and follies, this newest film from the James Ivory / Ishmail Merchant / Ruth Prower Jhabvala team is close to flawless.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 11, 2023

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Jeff Menell

The Hollywood Reporter

From start to finish, Howards End is a sumptuous visual delight. But the beauty of this film is far more than skin deep.

Mar 5, 2020

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Lizzie Francke

Sight & Sound

A more troubling and rigorous inquest into a bygone era than usual.

Aug 1, 2017

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Farah Cheded

A Good Movie To Watch

Simmering with rich emotion and crackling with class politics, Howards End is the crowning glory of the Merchant Ivory powerhouse and the rare perfect period drama.

Rated: 89/100

Aug 12, 2023

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The best of the countless Merchant Ivory productions.

Rated: 3.5/4

May 9, 2023

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

...an uneven work of adaptation.

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 12, 2021

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Deborah Fain

One of best films ever made. Definitely best film of a book. Amazes me 1whenever I see it!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/25/24

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Gray R

Upper class standing apart from lower without the heart to help even when opportunity knocks is an ageless theme that repeats today. The sisters, a bridge between worlds, provide a rickety middle ground and struggle to make sense of it all. Though somewhat muted and drawn out the viewer gets the message.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/29/25

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Arya S

Emma Thompson adds the warmth and earthiness to what could otherwise be another ethereal, postcard-beautiful Merchant Ivory period piece. The cast is perfect in this one, and the film is such a refreshing respite from the mind-numbing, superhero garbage in theaters these days. May be too slow and uncool for artsy fartsy cinephiles, but for Downton Abby fans who love a lush production, sharply written dialogue and themes of class tensions in England, this is a real treat.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/25

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Audience Member

What an absolute nonsense. There are so many holes in this story that I can’t even start describing what I did not like. Nothing made sense but especially the ending was really terrible.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/26/24

Full Review

Jonathan M

I adore the films of Merchant Ivory, and the collaborative efforts of the team reached new heights with this E. M. Forster adaptation. It should have taken home the Oscar for "Best Picture" that year.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/24

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Zinjx W

Another one from the Merchant/Ivory assembly line. An incredibly fine ensemble has been put together. Not on par with "Rest of the Day"

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/07/24

Full Review

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James Ivory

Director

Anthony Hopkins

Henry J. Wilcox

Emma Thompson

Margaret Schlegel

Helena Bonham Carter

Helen Schlegel

Vanessa Redgrave

Ruth Wilcox

James Wilby

Charles Wilcox

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Howards End: Trailer 1

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Howards End: Re-Release Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Helen Schlegel falls for Paul Wilcox, but is rebuffed. Her sister Margaret becomes friends with his mother, who promises her the family house, Howards End. Unfortunately, after her death, the will disappears and it appears the inheritance will disappear. Until the widower, Henry Wilcox, becomes attracted to Margaret.

Director: James Ivory
Producer: Ismail Merchant
Screenwriter: Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Film 4, Imagica Corp., Merchant Ivory Productions, Sumitomo Corporation
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 13, 1992, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Aug 26, 2016
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 6, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $157.9K
Runtime: 2h 20m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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