The English Patient (1996 film)

[Official British DVD release]

 

Outstanding near mint condition throughout, other than the spine of the case, which has faded in sunlight whilst being on the bookshelf.  Photos from previously sold copy, this one is almost the same, other than the spine of the case (will update pics when I get a chance).

 

This is the original British DVD 1999 release, as indicated by the presence of just one ‘15’ rated logo on the front and rear of cover art.

 

Originally bought from a British retailer.  Beware of fake DVDs.

 

 

Details

 

Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 16:9 - 1.78:1

Is discontinued by manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Yes

Language ‏ : ‎ English

Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 18.03 x 13.76 x 1.48 cm; 83.16 Grams

Manufacturer reference ‏ : ‎ BED888193 , 5017188881937 , Z1 D888193 , VFC 00835

Director ‏ : ‎ Anthony Minghella

Media Format ‏ : ‎ PAL

Run time ‏ : ‎ 2 hours and 35 minutes

Release date ‏ : ‎ 23 July 1999

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