The English Patient | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

86% Tomatometer 94 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings

The sweeping expanses of the Sahara are the setting for a passionate love affair in this adaptation of Michael Ondaatje's novel. A badly burned man, Laszlo de Almasy (Ralph Fiennes), is tended to by a nurse, Hana (Juliette Binoche), in an Italian monastery near the end of World War II. His past is revealed through flashbacks involving a married Englishwoman (Kristin Scott Thomas) and his work mapping the African landscape. Hana learns to heal her own scars as she helps the dying man.

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Critics Consensus

Though it suffers from excessive length and ambition, director Minghella's adaptation of the Michael Ondaatje novel is complex, powerful, and moving.

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Critics Reviews

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The English Patient | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Nigel Andrews Financial Times If Minghella's debut feature Truly, Madly, Deeply was overrated -- a Ghost for the NW3 set -- this movie is a quantum leap towards cinema's potential for magic. Feb 4, 2020 Full Review The English Patient | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Geoff Brown Times (UK) You can take your brain to The English Patient and you will not be insulted. Your eyes will not be offended either. This scarcely makes Minghella's film the best in the world; it just makes it loom large. Feb 4, 2020 Full Review The English Patient | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Jay Carr Boston Globe Its wit, sophistication and artistry never are at odds with the fundamental pull of a powerful love story that out-Zhivagos Doctor Zhivago because it respects love's mysteries, admits it doesn't know the heart's boundaries. Apr 27, 2018 Full Review The English Patient | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand ... a 'Casablanca' for the 90s, directed with sweep, elegance, and grand passions by Anthony Minghella from his screenplay adaptation of Michael Ondaatje’s novel. Nov 18, 2023 Full Review The English Patient | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Mark Johnson Awards Daily ...from sweeping vistas, incredible performances, and one incredible score, Anthony Minghella’s The English Patient is one of the most beautiful films... Jun 14, 2023 Full Review The English Patient | Rotten Tomatoes (6) James Wegg JWR Phantom of the Desert Rated: 4.5/5 May 5, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member This was the first movie I ever watched with my future wife and her parents. It’s been 14 years and we still discuss how me making them watch this movie is probably the most horrible thing I’ve ever done to my relationship with her parents. My mother in law said it was the most boring night of her entire life. Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/05/24 Full Review Farah R If I had to choose three words to describe The English Patient, I'd pick slow, sluggish, and sad. The film's leisurely pace becomes tedious early on, and its bleak story is utterly depressing. Despite the exquisite performances of the entire cast, not a single character is likable or relatable. It's easy to see why the film won Best Picture at the Academy Awards, among others, but it's not particularly enjoyable. Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/03/24 Full Review matthias s "The English Patient" really surprised me. I found it a bit slow and too long, but it was still very captivating. The story is deep and emotional, and the actors did a fantastic job. Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas had great chemistry, making their love story believable and moving. The film’s scenery was stunning and added to the overall mood. Even though it dragged in some parts, I can see why it got so many Oscar nominations. The cast was strong, and their performances made the characters come alive. Overall, it's a film with flaws but also many beautiful moments. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/10/24 Full Review Castiel’s G The English Patient may be the saddest film I’ve ever seen. I didn’t expect to be so moved, and I was absolutely devastated by a love story about two imperfect people with WWII as a backdrop. Superb acting, Superb writing, Superb costumes, Superb directing. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/18/24 Full Review Johannes S Beautifully shot, great acting. A bit slow, which might not be for everyone but worth watching. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/14/24 Full Review Kipher K Excellent movie.The pacing/timing may not be for everyone, but the theme, acting, and elements are excellent. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/04/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Anthony Minghella Director Ralph Fiennes Count Laszlo de Almásy Juliette Binoche Hana Willem Dafoe David Caravaggio Kristin Scott Thomas Katharine Clifton Naveen Andrews Lt. Kip Singh
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The English Patient

The English Patient: Official Clip - Always Loved You The English Patient: Official Clip - Always Loved You 3:00 The English Patient: Official Clip - I Promise I'll Never Leave You The English Patient: Official Clip - I Promise I'll Never Leave You 2:56 The English Patient: Official Clip - Cathedral Paintings The English Patient: Official Clip - Cathedral Paintings 2:22 The English Patient: Official Clip - Defusing a Bomb The English Patient: Official Clip - Defusing a Bomb 2:42 The English Patient: Official Clip - Why Were You Holding His Collar? The English Patient: Official Clip - Why Were You Holding His Collar? 1:48 The English Patient: Official Clip - Happy Christmas The English Patient: Official Clip - Happy Christmas 4:11 The English Patient: Official Clip - May I Have This Dance The English Patient: Official Clip - May I Have This Dance 2:12 The English Patient: Official Clip - The Major Who Takes Thumbs The English Patient: Official Clip - The Major Who Takes Thumbs 2:38 The English Patient: Official Clip - In Love with Ghosts The English Patient: Official Clip - In Love with Ghosts 2:08 View more videos

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Synopsis The sweeping expanses of the Sahara are the setting for a passionate love affair in this adaptation of Michael Ondaatje's novel. A badly burned man, Laszlo de Almasy (Ralph Fiennes), is tended to by a nurse, Hana (Juliette Binoche), in an Italian monastery near the end of World War II. His past is revealed through flashbacks involving a married Englishwoman (Kristin Scott Thomas) and his work mapping the African landscape. Hana learns to heal her own scars as she helps the dying man.

Director
Anthony Minghella

Producer
Saul Zaentz

Screenwriter
Michael Ondaatje, Anthony Minghella

Distributor
Miramax Films

Production Co
Miramax Films, J&M Entertainment

Rating
R

Genre
Drama, Romance

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 6, 1996, Original

Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 30, 2016

Box Office (Gross USA)
$78.7M

Runtime
2h 42m

Sound Mix
Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround

Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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