Pascali's Island

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Pascali's Island

PG-13

1988

1h 46m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

69%

Tomatometer

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.

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Variety Staff

Variety

03/26/2009

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

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Derek Adams

Time Out

06/24/2006

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

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Caryn James

New York Times

05/20/2003

2/4

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

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Molly Haskell

Vogue

02/27/2020

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

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

05/04/2014

B

Exotically Levantine.

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Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

09/28/2005

3/5

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Jelisije J

Sep 22

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.

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isla s

09/02/2022

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.

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08/20/2009

Good movie recommended

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10/28/2007

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.

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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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