The English Patient (1996 film)
[2011 reissue - Official British and Irish DVD
release]
Brand NEW and factory SEALED (within
clear film wrapper).
This is the 2011 reissue, as indicated
by the presence of two ‘15’ rated logos.
Package is subtly improved and updated, when compared with the older
versions.
Originally bought from a British
retailer. Beware of fake DVDs.
Details
Aspect Ratio : 16:9 - 1.78:1
Is discontinued by manufacturer : Unknown
Language : English
Package Dimensions : 18.03 x 13.76
x 1.48 cm; 83.16 Grams
Manufacturer reference :
5055201816566
Director : Anthony Minghella
Media Format : PAL
Run time : 2 hours and 35 minutes
Release date : 30 May 2011
Actors : Ralph Fiennes, Juliette
Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Kristin Scott Thomas, Naveen Andrews
Subtitles: : French
Language : English (Dolby Digital
5.1), French (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Studio : Optimum Home
Entertainment
Producers : Saul Zaentz
Writers : Anthony Minghella
Number of discs : 1
Customer reviews: 4.6 out of 5
stars (2,078 ratings)
Description
During World War Two a badly-burned
pilot, known only as 'the English patient' (Ralph Fiennes), is cared for in a
Canadian military medical unit by nurse Hana (Juliette Binoche). As the dying
patient's memory returns, he tells Hana his story - of how he embarked on a
passionate affair with Katherine (Kristin Scott Thomas), the wife of one of his
colleagues. Meanwhile, intelligence agent Caravaggio (Willem Dafoe) tells Hana
that he suspects the English patient of being a spy for the Germans. This film
won nine Oscars, including Best Picture.
Additional Info
(copied from rear of case)
Winner of an astounding nine Academy
Awards® including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actress, THE
ENGLISH PATIENT is the sweeping World War II romantic epic that's being
compared to such legendary films as Casablanca and Doctor Zhivago. After a
badly burned pilot (Oscar® nominee Ralph Fiennes) is pulled from the wreckage
of his plane in the Sahara Desert, he's placed in the care of an army nurse
(Oscar winner Juliette Binoche) and identified only as "the English
patient." As his memory slowly returns, a passionate and consuming love
affair with a married woman (Oscar nominee Kristin Scott Thomas) is unveiled,
and lives from both the past and the present become inextricably altered. Set
against breathtaking backdrops in North Africa and Italy, THE ENGLISH PATIENT is
a riveting cinematic masterpiece that stirs the heart and touches the soul like
no other film in years.
Review(s)
Winner of nine Academy Awards and
almost every critic's heart, The English Patient (based on Michael Ondaatje's
prizewinning novel of love and loss during World War II) is one of the most
acclaimed films of modern times. Hana, a nurse (Juliette Binoche), tends to an
archaeologist (Ralph Fiennes) who has been burnt to a crisp in a plane crash.
As their relationship intensifies, he flashes back to his overwhelming passion
for a married woman (Kristin Scott Thomas). Meanwhile, Hana begins a new
romance with a man who defuses bombs (Naveen Andrews) and Willem Dafoe almost
steals the show as the thumbless thief Caravaggio. The intricately layered
flashback narrative, sounding the depths of the lovers' hearts, improves with
repeated viewings. - Geoff Riley
5.0 out of 5 stars “Brilliant British Film”
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4
September 2013
Not completely British though, as it
was made primarily with American funding.
I you've read the novel you appreciate
how well the script writers did in adapting it for the screen. The novel is
very modern in style, fractured in time and space, subjective and objective
with juxtaposing viewpoints.
The plot:
English wife of supposed explorer falls
for mysterious Hungarian explorer in Cairo-based expedition in the late 30's.
Tragedy follows leaving Hungarian burned and unrecognisable in allied hospital
some years later.
The detailed story is recounted in
flashback as the English Patient and his Canadian French nurse lay up in
derelict chateau in Tuscany.
All the cast( with a couple of
exceptions) put in quality performances, clothes and cars all look genuine.
Kristen Scott Thomas is delicious
throughout playing her now standard middle class English rose. Despite a couple
of Rigsby moments Ralf Fiennes is wonderfully intense and inept as the lover
spell-bound by her demur yet raunchy charms.
Julliette Binoche well earned her
Oscar as hers is the most beautifully poised performance of youthful innocence
confronting the cruel world of war, death and deceit.
It is a sad film. The only thing that
weakens it is the lack of build up to the final soaring climax. Here the novel
steps in, inconveniently, as we know that Katherine and Almassi had not
actually been together for years until the final time in the cave. So the
writers had to compromise and it shows.
One person found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars “English Patient is a masterpiece”
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13
February 2012
This movie was widely misunderstood on
its' release - some found it's fractured story telling confusing, some found it
difficult to sympathize with the central couple. Some thought it middle-class
and smug - or worse, worthy. Perhaps its' success at the Oscars worked against
it by creating false expectations in audiences. Many imagined it was going to
be 'Gone With The Wind' crossed with 'Laurence of Arabia', and left the cinema
perplexed by it. If that describes your reaction back in 1996, now might be a
good time to reacquaint yourself with it - now that the weight of 9 Oscars has
dissipated in the intervening years.
But if you loved it from the beginning
- as I did - you will greet this release with great enthusiasm. I have no doubt
that fans of the movie will relish owning Anthony Minghella's (and
cinematographer John Seale's) vision of this wonderful, rich and emotionally
resonant story.
The DVD faithfully reproduces the
images as originally shot. But many equate film grain as being something that should
be avoided. Don't make that mistake here - the gritty 'look' of the film in the
desert sequences was very deliberately crafted by the director. Conversely,
when the story cuts to a different time and location - such as the scenes at
the monastery - the gorgeous photography takes on a different texture,
capturing the lush greens and golden sunlight of northern Italy, near the end
of the second world war.
This is a dialogue-rich film where
words and imagery have equal weight. If you are watching it on a surround
system, be warned that the soundtrack is punctuated with anti-aircraft guns,
sandstorms, plane crashes, the chink-chink of glass viles, not to mention the
heart-breakingly evocative music. I often use the first ten minutes of this
disc as a demonstrator, such is the strength of it's imagery and audio mix.
The English Patient truly rewards
repeated viewings - yielding subtle plot points, character traits and grace
notes every time it's viewed. Its' main protagonists may not be immediately
likeable - but the tragic decisions they make (and the consequences of those
decisions on others' lives) create a haunting wartime love story undercut by
mistaken national identity. A story that David Lean might have wanted to make,
had he been around.
As it was, we were lucky to have the
hugely gifted - and greatly missed - Anthony Minghella to adapt the novel and
commit it to celluloid. He went on to make three more feature films before he
died (Talented Mr Riply, Cold Mountain and Breaking & Entering), but - as
good as they were - 'Patient' is his greatest and most enduring film.
46 people found this helpful