The English Patient cover art

The English Patient Details

1996 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 17,287 members

Set during the Second World War, this epic romance tells the story of a mysterious Englishman found badly burned in the Sahara. His nurse transports him across war-torn Europe taking him to a deserted Tuscan monastery where he can die in peace. There they become friends and she begins to read to him from a book he wrote about a .. Read more

Starring Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Kristin Scott-Thomas
Director Anthony Minghella
Genres Drama, Romance

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The English Patient

Set during the Second World War, this epic romance tells the story of a mysterious Englishman found badly burned in the Sahara. His nurse transports him across war-torn Europe taking him to a deserted Tuscan monastery where he can die in peace. There they become friends and she begins to read to him from a book he wrote about a previous relationship with a married woman with whom he fell in love whilst working in the Middle East...

Starring Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Kristin Scott-Thomas, Naveen Andrews, Colin Firth, Kevin Whately, Clive Merrison, Lee Ross, Julian Wadham, Sebastian Rudolph, Torri Higginson, Philip Whitchurch, Raymond Coulthard, Nino Castelnu
Director Anthony Minghella
Studio WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time DVD: 2 hrs 35 mins
Certificate Certificate 15
Collections Anthony Minghella Collection
Genres Drama, Romance
Language DVD: English
Dubbed French
Hearing-impaired English
Subtitles DVD: French
Released DVD: 08 Jan 2001
Production year: 1996
Format DVD

The English Patient (1996)

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  • Critics' reviews (5) of The English Patient

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  • 5 stars out of 5

    Plaudits rained on this sublime adaptation of Michael Ondaatje's difficult novel, which leaps between the past (set against the sweeping backdrop of the Sahara) and the present (Italy ravaged by the Second World War). Ralph Fiennes stars as the mortally wounded pilot mentally reliving his adulterous affair with Kristin Scott Thomas. The burgeoning love affair between his nurse, Juliette Binoche, and a soldier, Naveen Andrews, instils hope after so much tragedy. Oscars aside, Anthony Minghella's film divided audiences into two factions: those who were moved and those who, quite simply, were not.

    • Radio Times
  • 2 stars out of 4

    Those who believe that love excuses any behaviour will succumb to this glossy romance, made on an epic scale and in that Hollywood tradition where heroes emerge from a three-day walk across the desert looking slightly tousled, and derelict pianos remain m

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • Most helpful member's review of The English Patient

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  • 34 out of 38 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Deserves The Awards It Received

    Very often I see reviews of this film that state that this film didn't deserve to win as many Oscars as it did but it is far and away the best of 1996.

    The portrayal of love within the film is such a draw that even with the moral questions that arise from it you can't help but follow the story and share the same emotions as the characters.

    Beautifully shot with great performances, an overlooked classic.

      • McClennan from St Helens
  • Most recent members' review of The English Patient

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  • 34 out of 38 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Deserves The Awards It Received

    Very often I see reviews of this film that state that this film didn't deserve to win as many Oscars as it did but it is far and away the best of 1996.

    The portrayal of love within the film is such a draw that even with the moral questions that arise from it you can't help but follow the story and share the same emotions as the characters.

    Beautifully shot with great performances, an overlooked classic.

      • McClennan from St Helens
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Rating breakdown

17,287 Member ratings
  • 100
2,296
  • 90
1,809
  • 80
3,490
  • 70
2,974
  • 60
2,628
  • 50
1,451
  • 40
978
  • 30
687
  • 20
618
  • 10
356

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    • Set during the Second World War, this epic romance tells the story of a mysterious Englishman found badly burned in the Sahara. His nurse transports him across war-torn Europe taking him to a ...