Pascali's Island

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Pascali's Island

PG-13

1988

1h 46m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

69%

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13 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

Basil Pascali (Ben Kingsley) is a Turkish secret agent who has spent years in the service of the Ottoman Empire. As Turkey's power wanes, Pascali is left to operate largely on his own. However, things change when he is assigned to work with English archeologist Anthony Bowles (Charles Dance) and artist Lydia Neuman (Helen Mirren) in planning the heist of a Greek artifact. As Pascali becomes more involved in the scheme, the plot takes some surprising turns.

Variety Staff

Variety

Despite an eye-catching but mannered central performance from Ben Kingsley, looms as too languid and remote to make much impact.

Mar 26, 2009

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Derek Adams

Time Out

The milieu may seem remote but the performances illuminate, and the story has an originality that compensates for the modest budget.

Jun 24, 2006

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Caryn James

New York Times

Slow and stately, Pascali's Island never gets beneath its own superficial gentility.

Rated: 2/4

May 20, 2003

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Molly Haskell

Vogue

Pascali's Island is one of the rare contemporary movies in which the characters are worthy of the scenery.

Feb 27, 2020

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Exotically Levantine.

Rated: B

May 4, 2014

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Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 3/5

Sep 28, 2005

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Jelisije J

Ben Kingsley a secret agent for the Ottoman Empire details reports of the coming and going of foreigners who come to a island in Greece and eventually becomes involved in a scheme of an Englishman who will come to shatter the life of Pascali. This films ending will leave such a memorable impression on you and in all truth that is why we go to the movies for the unforgettable experience.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/22/25

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isla s

This is an interesting period drama film with a good cast (Helen Mirren, Ben Kingsley and Charles Dance) and an interesting plot. I found it a little frustrating that some of the foreign dialogue/language wasn't subtitled but I enjoyed it for the most part, mainly due to the intriguing plot. I would recommend this to others, yes.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Good movie recommended

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

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Audience Member

A little known movie that stars two brilliant actors in Ben Kingsley and Helen Mirren. Very very black drama, and it doesn't end how you think it will.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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James Dearden

Director

Ben Kingsley

Basil Pascali

Charles Dance

Anthony Bowles

Helen Mirren

Lydia Neuman

George Murcell

Herr Gesing

Sheila Allen

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Synopsis

Basil Pascali (Ben Kingsley) is a Turkish secret agent who has spent years in the service of the Ottoman Empire. As Turkey's power wanes, Pascali is left to operate largely on his own. However, things change when he is assigned to work with English archeologist Anthony Bowles (Charles Dance) and artist Lydia Neuman (Helen Mirren) in planning the heist of a Greek artifact. As Pascali becomes more involved in the scheme, the plot takes some surprising turns.

Director: James Dearden
Producer: Tania Blunden, Paul Raphael, Mirella Sklavounou
Screenwriter: Barry Unsworth
Production Co: Channel Four Films, Dearfilm
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 24, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $861.1K
Runtime: 1h 46m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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