The English Patient

Name: The English Patient
Genre: Drama, Romance, War
Released: November 15, 1996
Duration: 162 min
Rating: 87
Cast: Juliette Binoche, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ralph Fiennes, Willem Dafoe

1996

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 31 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 180 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	Your Score
7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 180 Ratings

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The English Patient

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Movie Details & Credits

Alliance Atlantis Home Video | Release Date: November 15, 1996 | R

Starring: Juliette Binoche, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ralph Fiennes, Willem Dafoe

Summary: An epic film of adventure, intrigue, betrayal and love about four strangers whose diverse lives become inextricably connected. (Miramax Films)

Director: Anthony Minghella

Genre(s): Drama, Romance, War

Rating: R

Runtime: 162 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Gary Kamiya

Minghella, by brilliantly editing the romantic scenes down to a few jagged, archetypal moments, captures something of the sacred whirlwind. Read full review

100

Peter Stack

A mesmerizing film that is the most stunning, tempestuous love story in a decade or two of movie making. Read full review

100

Desson Thomson

Awash in heart-rending emotions and gorgeous images, this is a movie to lose yourself in. Read full review

David Ansen

Succeeds stunningly on its own terms. Read full review

James Berardinelli

This is one of the year's most unabashed and powerful love stories, using flawless performances, intelligent dialogue, crisp camera work, and loaded glances to attain a level of eroticism and emotional connection that many similar films miss. Read full review

Film.com Robert Horton

It's got both the sweeping spectacle and the keen, tactile sense of human intimacy.

Jonathan Rosenbaum

It's reasonably well told and well mounted but little more. Read full review

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User Reviews

TerryS.

Jan 29, 2008

This movie was an example of the purest form of story-telling: a kind of pingpong between periods and people involves in the story. It was brilliant to have a burned up man, barely alive reminiscing and offering bits and pieces of his past...superb.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Amaya

Nov 22, 2008

Achingly beautiful. Fiennes is perfect in this movie. I did enjoy the book earlier, but I like the movie more. I have never seen a movie that so amply reflects the book and does justice to the literal counterpart.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

AndrewGG

Feb 12, 2012

Great film! Real emotions, real life! Heroes were on the top! Music brilliantly selected!

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

alejandro970

Nov 20, 2016

The plot feels slow for moments but is well compensated with the story of intrigue, romance and betrayal, elements that look well balanced. Nice performances of Binoche, Fiennes and Defoe.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

FilipeNeto

Jul 6, 2018

"The English Patient" has long been transformed into one of the most classic films of romantic cinema, but it seems that the public has had little appreciation or patience for romantic movies, particularly if they are very long and slow. Based on a novel by Michael Ondaatje (which I have),"The English Patient" has long been transformed into one of the most classic films of romantic cinema, but it seems that the public has had little appreciation or patience for romantic movies, particularly if they are very long and slow. Based on a novel by Michael Ondaatje (which I have), its located in Italy at the end of World War II, telling the story of a military nurse being in a ruined house to assist an aviator who was terribly injured in a plane crash. So, this movie was intended for a public that wants to follow the story, savor all moments, follow the emotions of the characters. The script makes a good adaptation of the book. Scenarios and costumes have been thought through to detail and the period elements have been well recreated and are historically suitable. Visually, the film is excellent: great cinematography, with Italian and North African landscapes dazzling the audience. Ralph Fiennes was excellent in the lead role, achieving one of the most remarkable works of his career. Juliette Binoche was not as surprising as him, but she was well in her role. To be fair, the only problem in this film is the overly slow pace, making it overly sentimental in some scenes. I understand the idea and the intention behind, but everything has its limits and even honey can make you sick.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Kadeemluvmusic

Feb 28, 2016

Sure, The English Patient is one of the best movies I've ever seen. However, the Oscars are just plain s**t. How come the Academy chose a 3-hour-long passionate love story and win a Best Picture Oscar? I skipped on the final ending of the Oscars in 1997 and I was so pissed. There's a reasonSure, The English Patient is one of the best movies I've ever seen. However, the Oscars are just plain s**t. How come the Academy chose a 3-hour-long passionate love story and win a Best Picture Oscar? I skipped on the final ending of the Oscars in 1997 and I was so pissed. There's a reason why Joel and Ethan Cohen were not too pleased with the stunning news because Fargo should've won the goddamn Oscar in the first place. I believe it's one the most embarrassing Best Picture winners and some people agree with me that The English Patient is completely overrated. Shame on You, AMPAS!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

PaulS.

Nov 7, 2005

Nothing to offer, overated, long and boring.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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4	#4 Best Movie of 1996
18	#18 Most Discussed Movie of 1996
18	#18 Most Shared Movie of 1996