The English Patient
The English Patient

The English Patient

1996Movie162 minEnglish

In the 1930s, Count Almásy is a Hungarian map maker employed by the Royal Geographical Society to chart the vast expanses of the Sahara Desert along with several other prominent explorers. As World War II unfolds, Almásy enters into a world of love, betrayal, and politics.

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Insights

IMDb7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes84%
Metacritic87/100
Google Users83%
Director: Anthony MinghellaGenres: Drama, Romance, War

Plot Summary

In the final year of World War II, a critically burned and amnesiac Canadian nurse, Hana, cares for a mysterious patient in an abandoned Italian monastery. As her own past begins to unravel, she becomes entangled in the patient's epic story of love, betrayal, and tragedy, set against the backdrop of the North African desert and the advent of WWII.

Critical Reception

The English Patient was a critical and commercial success, widely praised for its sweeping romance, stunning cinematography, and powerful performances. It was particularly lauded for its adaptation of Michael Ondaatje's complex novel and its exploration of themes like love, memory, and loss.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its epic scope and visually rich storytelling.
  • Lauded for the compelling performances, particularly from Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche.
  • Acknowledged for its sensitive handling of themes of love, war, and identity.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated the film's emotional depth and romantic narrative, with many highlighting the stunning visuals and the powerful performances as significant strengths. Some viewers found the pacing a bit slow, but the overwhelming sentiment is one of admiration for its artistry and enduring story.

Awards & Accolades

Won 9 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress (Juliette Binoche), and Best Art Direction. Also received numerous nominations and wins at BAFTA Awards and Golden Globe Awards.

Fun Fact

The production team built a full-scale replica of St. Gillies Castle in Tunisia, using over 1.5 million actual bricks, to accurately depict the historical setting.

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TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
NunzioGiannatelli

NunzioGiannatell...

Also remembered for a rare full frontal scene involving Kristin Scott Thomas' hairy triangle, The English Patient serves as a poignant critique of how nationalism and colonial borders dismantle human connection. The desert’s "mapless" freed...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

"Hana" (Juliette Binoche) volunteers to remain in war-torn Italy to look after her badly burnt patient. Who is he? Well nobody knows. All he recalls is that he came from England and that some time ago he was married. The arrival of the enig...