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Angels And Insects Details

1995 Certificate 18
  • Rated:
  • 50
  • from 572 members

This is a sumptuous and erotic drama where the insect world becomes a metaphor for the depravity and decadence of the upper class in this visually enticing period piece. Set at the height of British colonialism William, a penniless entomologist, falls in love with the eldest daughter of Sir Alabaster, an aristocrat who has .. Read more

Starring Patsy Kensit, Douglas Henshall, Mark Rylance, Kristin Scott Thomas
Director Philip Haas
Genres Drama

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Angels And Insects

This is a sumptuous and erotic drama where the insect world becomes a metaphor for the depravity and decadence of the upper class in this visually enticing period piece. Set at the height of British colonialism William, a penniless entomologist, falls in love with the eldest daughter of Sir Alabaster, an aristocrat who has offered the young man a position as his assistant. In spite of William's low social status and lack of funds, he and Eugenia are eventually married, and several children are born. One day, William discovers that his wife has a shocking secret, and his life will never be the same.
Kristen Scott Thomas received the Best Actress accolade at the Evening Standard British Film Awards, and the film garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design.

Starring Patsy Kensit, Douglas Henshall, Mark Rylance, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jeremy Kemp, Anna Massey, Saskia Wickham
Director Philip Haas
Studio MGM ENTERTAINMENT
Run time DVD: 1 hr 53 mins
Certificate Certificate 18
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 22 Sep 2003
Production year: 1995
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (6) of Angels And Insects

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  • 2 stars out of 5

    The British film industry is justly proud of its reputation for meticulously crafted costume dramas. However, the slightest misjudgement can result in disaster, as in the case of this precious adaptation of AS Byatt's novella Morpho Eugenia. Although director Philip Haas and his co-writer Belinda Haas have got some pretty tricky ideas to convey (such as Darwinism and the notion that humans are little more than specimens in a celestial laboratory), they do so in such a pompous manner that the already stilted performances of Mark Rylance and Patsy Kensit increasingly border on the comic. Only Kristin Scott Thomas, playing against type as a mousey governess, emerges with any credit.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • "...ANGELS is an intriguing film with a great deal to recommend it....ANGELS is physically remarkable and well-acted, especially by the always impressive Kristin Scott Thomas..."

    • Los Angeles Times
    • Posted 11 Mar 2005

  • Most helpful member's review of Angels And Insects

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  • 7 out of 8 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 2 stars

    Bring on the Ants!!!

    Okay, prepare to be in for a long wait. This film only gets interesting about 1 hour in - when the main character (Mark Rylance) begins to study a city of ants in the grounds of the large family estate that he has been allowed to marry into. The ants are animated which is more than can be said for Rylance. If ever there was an advert for how not to do period drama then this is it - slow, monotonous and draaaaaaaawn out!

    Douglas Henshall adds a bit of spice as the protective elder brother of Rylance's new wife (Kensit), but then he has his reasons. However, the one saving grace is Kristin Scott Thomas as the governess - her effortless acting hooks your attention and thankfully allows you to forget about her dreary co-stars for the screentime that she has.

    But the real stars are the ants and as we move into micro-documentary footage of their daily lives and battles you actually find characters that you care about, that you can identify with.....and surely cheaper to employ than Rylance who needs nothing more than a good slap round the face to snap him out of his dull, dull, dull delivery.

      • Elbow Baggins from Ilford, England
      • Posted 28 Jul 2004 13:48

  • Most recent members' review of Angels And Insects

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  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    'Angels And Insects'

    Intresting story with an out come that makes watching worth while. Miss PK has done better, but still worth a viewing.

      • ian3 from Salisbury
      • Posted 24 Jan 2008 09:39

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Rating breakdown

572 Member ratings
  • 100
19
  • 90
18
  • 80
52
  • 70
58
  • 60
109
  • 50
76
  • 40
90
  • 30
52
  • 20
70
  • 10
28

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      • This is a sumptuous and erotic drama where the insect world becomes a metaphor for the depravity and decadence of the upper class in this visually enticing period piece. Set at the height of British ...