The English Patient

Drama | English, German, Italian, Arabic with English subtitles | 162 minutes

Info

Almásy, a survivor of a plane crash during World War II, is found in the North African desert. His face is extremely burned, charred. He is taken by the Allies to a deserted monastery where he is expected to die. Hana, a French-Canadian nurse, agrees to care for him. She eases his pain with morphine while reading extracts of Herodotus. We learn that Almásy was a map-maker hired by the Royal Geographic Society. Among his colleagues were the vivacious, brilliant Katharine Clifton and her husband Geoffrey. Almásy and Katharine fall in love. In flashbacks to Africa, the relationship between Almásy and Katharine is also revealed. The two love affairs are mysterious and both are painfully doomed.

Cast

Ralphe Fiennes (Almásy) / Juliette Binoche (Hana) / Kristin Scott Thomas (Katharine Clifton)

Why Stream This Film?

Film critic Desson Howe wrote the following in The Washington Post: “THE ENGLISH PATIENT is awash in heart-rending emotions and gorgeous images. It’s a movie to lose yourself in.”

Rotten Tomatoes Score (Critics Consensus): 85%
Metacritic Score: 87

Accolades

Academy Awards: Winner, Best Picture; Best Director (Anthony Minghella); Best Cinematography (John Seale)
Golden Globe Awards: Winner (Best Motion Picture- Drama); Best Director (Anthony Minghella); Best Supporting Actress (Kristin Scott Thomas)
BAFTA Awards: Winner, Best Film; Best Screenplay (Anthony Minghella); Best Supporting Actress (Juliette Binoche)
National Board of Review: Winner, Best Supporting Actress (Juliette Binoche)

WATCH THE TRAILER