Rent The English Patient for FREE

Start your 30 day FREE trial » Find out more

+70,000 other titles and counting

NO late fees or long term contracts - cancel anytime
FREE first class post for DVD, Blu-ray & Games rental
1000's of films to stream instantly to your PC, TV or PS3^TM at no extra cost

The English Patient Reviews

1996

70
from 20,621 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

Sign up The English Patient DVD, Blu-ray

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

Critic's review of The English Patient
View all critics' reviews (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
- 29933
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:38
Write your own review »
Most helpful member's review of The English Patient
View all members' reviews (96)
- - 40
  - 6
  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.read more »
  
  Report this review
- 22158
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  
  [Highly rated reviewer]
  - McClennan
  - 424 reviews
  - St Helens
  - 18 Oct 2004 at 18:46
Most recent members' reviews of The English Patient
View all members' reviews (96)
- - 0
  - 1
  Epic yet slightly stiff
  
  Badly burned man rescued, looked after by young nurse, recalls past events, flashbacktastic.
  
  Epic yet slightly stiff romantic weepy from Anthony ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1086586
- - Bassman71
  - 426 reviews
  - Didsbury, England
  - 29 Jan 2012 at 10:28
- - 1
  - 0
  Well worth seeing
  
  The English Patient hit the spot on a number of levels, the ariel photography, the sound track and the multi-layered plot.
  
  The chaos of war, both ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1079700
- - Vatdyer
  - 2 reviews
  - 08 Jan 2012 at 12:35
- - 1
  - 0
  Overwhelmingly wonderful. It hurts my heart.
  
  Fairytale yet gritty and human. We are exposed to what it means to be alive, to love and be loved, to explore the way our paths through life entangle and ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1055731
- - Filmyup
  - 7 reviews
  - 27 Oct 2011 at 04:31
- - 0
  - 2
  Epic Fail
  
  I wouldn't really call this epic...long, slow, sandy are probably more apt adjectives...the story is dragged out farther than is necessary/possible and the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1054570
- - WongOrWhite
  - 41 reviews
  - 24 Oct 2011 at 00:18
- - 1
  - 0
  Want epic romance without the comedy?
  
  First things first, The English Patient cannot be classed as epic. That term belongs to films such as Ben Hur, Spartacus and Lawrence of Arabia.
  
  ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1043920
- - isignia
  - 47 reviews
  - London
  - 22 Sep 2011 at 22:54
- - 1
  - 0
  Huge and absorbing
  
  The story jumps around in time which takes some following but the acting and filming makes it possible to follow. There are several great performances competing... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 943691
- - a customer
  - ox13
  - 01 Dec 2010 at 09:17
- - 1
  - 0
  The English Patient
  
  You have to be a little 'patient' yourself with this film as it's quite long and the story is told by the narrative jumping between different time ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 934077
- - Sef
  - 8 reviews
  - Lancaster
  - 24 Oct 2010 at 08:19
- - 1
  - 0
  Est Est Est! no less
  
  This is it as the Italians say.
  
  Exceptional in all aspects. Directing, screenplay, costumes, camera work, acting. I could go on and on. It tells a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 930429
- - tisheau
  - 82 reviews
  - Craigavon
  - 10 Oct 2010 at 13:41
- - 1
  - 0
  Very enjoyable
  
  Excellent film. Seen it before but well worth seeing again.
  
  Report this review
- 921716
- - Keith Jones
  - Burntwood, ENGLAND
  - 08 Sep 2010 at 11:23
- - 0
  - 0
  Even better than the book
  
  I found the book difficult to read. It kept jumping backwards and forward in time. I persevered although I felt I was missing the plot.
  
  Fortunately ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 921119
- - LGF
  - 69 reviews
  - Sandhurst
  - 06 Sep 2010 at 10:54
View all members' reviews (96)

- - 40
  - 6
  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.read more »
  
  Report this review
- 22158
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  
  [Highly rated reviewer]
  - McClennan
  - 424 reviews
  - St Helens
  - 18 Oct 2004 at 18:46
- - 11
  - 2
  A classic movie
  
  I have been trying to watch this film for some time and always seem to catch it at the end. After work and child commitments I popped the disc in and was hooked... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 304751
- - MIKK
  - SURREY
  - 10 Jun 2004 at 08:20
- - 10
  - 2
  Transports you to the desert and life in those times
  
  Action packed and full of mind bending plots this isn't. So if that's what you want to watch don't bother.
  
  If you want something deeper... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 2256
- - LD
  - Herts
  - 21 Feb 2004 at 19:10
- - 9
  - 2
  You need the right mood.
  
  I've watched this film three times - liked it, loved it and switched it off half way through.
  
  It's slow and requires you to focus in on it ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 220690
- - Addi Addison
  - Scotland
  - 18 Mar 2006 at 12:29
- - 8
  - 2
  One of the most beautifule pieces of film ever shot
  
  Minghella deserved everything that he won for this film.
  
  The cinematography is just breathtaking - from the long, overhead landscape shots to the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 500
- - TMR
  - London, UK
  - 28 Nov 2003 at 18:45
- - 6
  - 0
  Epic
  
  One of my all time favourite films, an absolutely mesmerising epic. It is quite long but just sit back and enjoy the story unfolding. Some scenes will have you ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 218610
- - Cathy
  - Uckfield, Sussex
  - 14 Mar 2006 at 12:53
- - 6
  - 1
  A True Classic
  
  This film deservedly received 9 Academy Awards in 1996 and has since become a classic. The apt cinematography and direction complement a hauntingly beautiful ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 328301
- - Jen04
  - Oxford
  - 24 Mar 2005 at 13:46
- - 14
  - 13
  Ralph Fiennes passionate??
  
  'The heart is an organ of fire...'so intones Fiennes, the most unconvincing of romantic leads. He lacks passion and depth. Haven't felt so ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 152749
- - Barbara
  - London, England
  - 22 Sep 2005 at 13:30
- - 5
  - 0
  The English Patient
  
  A brilliant film, so many different layers within the main story - just like life really. Interesting characters interacting with each other, I really enjoyed ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 226763
- - a customer
  - Southport England
  - 31 Mar 2006 at 14:28
- - 5
  - 0
  The English Patient
  
  Just wow! After reading the book I really wanted to watch this and wasn't disappointed. As well as the obvious faces - Ralph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas, ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 274703
- - a customer
  - Exeter, UK
  - 13 Aug 2006 at 17:42

< Prev
1
2
3
4
5
...
» of 10
Next >

Critics' reviews
- 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
- 29933
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:38
- "...Respectable, intelligent....With its exotic, tapestry-like backgrounds, this is a picture of resplendently textured, sensuous surfaces..."
- 7204
- - Variety
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58
- Tuscany, as the Allies pursue the Germans north at the end of WWII: traumatised by loss and carnage, Canadian nurse... read more on Time Out
- 43031
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:13
- "...Minghella proves that a movie love story can be smart, principled and provoking, and still sweep you away..."
- 7203
- - Rolling Stone
  - 11 Mar 2005 at 12:58

Agree or disagree? Write your own review

Review title: Give it a rating:

Write your review:

Tips for writing helpful reviews

Only review titles you've actually seen!
Talk about what you liked and disliked
Compare this title with other similar titles
Provide plenty of detail - at least 20 words
Space things out - use blank lines between paragraphs.
Be appropriate - no adult content, libellous statements or naughty words
Don't SPAM! No promoting of other websites or services
Don't plaguerise! Your submission must be your own original work
Don't talk about LOVEFiLM by name

Give it a title:

Tips for an eye catching title

Don't just repeat the name of the title you're reviewing
Don't summarise your entire review in one word - a minimum of 2 words please.
Give people a reason to read your full review - create a sense of intrigue or curiosity!

Keep me anonymous Keep me anonymous Contains spoiler? This review contains spoilers (or might spoil it for someone who hasn't seen it yet)

New users register here

Email address:
Password:
Preferred user name:
I agree to LOVEFiLMs Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
I'd like to receive film news and reviews as well as info about all the other good stuff LOVEFiLM offers

Already a member? Sign in here

Email address:
Password:Forgotten password?

By clicking Preview review you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- The English Patient - Blu-ray
  
  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 ...

- - Buy
- 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 ...