THE ENGLISH PATIENT is an epic, sweeping adaptation of Michael Ondaatje's richly layered, WWII-era novel chronicling two periods in the life of European explorer Count Laszlo Almasy (Ralph Fiennes), whose torrid affair with a colleague's wife (Kristin Scott Thomas) is countered by the beginning of the war, allegations of Nazi sympathies, and disfiguring injuries. The patient's stay at the ruins of an Italian monastery under the care of an emotionally injured French-Canadian nurse (Juliette Binoche, who won an Oscar for the role) serves as a framing device for his intriguing story. Academy Award winner Anthony Minghella directs this film that is at once incredibly modern and a well-crafted throwback to classic Hollywood epics of yesteryear.

Set during World War II, this film adaptation of Michael Ondaatje's novel concerns a horribly scarred, amnesiac mapmaker (Ralph Fiennes) who is found by Bedouins in the desert and then transported to Italy. When Allied nurse Hana (Juliette Binoche) devotes herself to caring for the mysterious patient in an abandoned monastery, his story of a intense love affair with a colleague's wife (Kristin Scott Thomas) begins to unfold in a series of flashbacks. Hana, meanwhile, faces her own demons and explores her attraction to a Sikh bomb expert (Naveen Andrews). Tensions escalate at the monastery following the appearance of Caravaggio (Willem Dafoe), a thumbless thief who knows the identity of the mysterious patient.

Anthony Minghella's (TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY) award winning epic is beautifully filmed with awe-inspiring scenery that includes sweeping desert vistas, crowded village markets, and serene Tuscany roads. The superb supporting cast, which includes Willem Dafoe, Colin Firth and Naveen Andrews, matches flawless performances by Fiennes, Thomas, and Binoche.

Released theatrically in the U.S. on November 15, 1996.

Filmed on location in Europe.

At the 1997 Academy Awards, THE ENGLISH PATIENT received 12 Academy Award Nominations, including Best Actor--Ralph Fiennes, Best Actress--Kristen Scott Thomas, and Best Screenplay (Adaptation)--Anthony Minghella. It won 9 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director--Anthony Minghella, and Best Supporting Actress--Juliette Binoche.

Michael Ondaatje's novel of the same name won Britain's prestigious Booker prize.

20th Century Fox withdrew their funding for the film when Minghella refused to replace Kristin Scott Thomas. The film was then picked up by Miramax.

Count Laszlo Almasy was a real person. He was, however, very different from the character in Ondaatje's novel and Minghella's film. The real Almasy was a German Air Force pilot and, based on his personal letters, was most likely homosexual.

Because there were no roads into the Sahara Desert, Minghella's team built one. The day it was finished, it washed away in a rainstorm.

Kristin Scott Thomas's first film was Prince's UNDER THE CHERRY MOON.

It took 5½ hours to apply Ralph Fiennes's makeup.

"A woman should never learn to sew, and if she can, she shouldn't admit to it."--Katharine (Kristin Scott Thomas)

"You can't kill me. I died years ago."--Almasy (Ralph Fiennes]

"Katharine, I just want you to know I'm not missing you yet."--Almasy
"You will. You will."--Katharine

DVD Features:

2-Disc Set
Region 1
Collectors Edition
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound - English
DTS 5.1 Surround Sound - English
Additional Release Material:
Interviews: "A Conversation with Saul Zaentz, Anthony Minghella, & Michael Ondaatje"
Featurette:
1. "Master Class with Anthony Minghella: Discussion on Deleted Scenes"
2. "A Passionate Journey: The Making of THE ENGLISH PATIENT"
3. "Novelist Michael Ondaatje Featurette"
Audio Commentary:
1. Anthony Minghella - Director
2. Cast and Crew
Text/Photo Galleries:
Film Reviews

Distributor Notes: The English Patient Collector's Edition

Winner of 9 Academy Awards(R) in 1996, including Best Picture, Best Director (Anthony Minghella) and Best Supporting Actress (Juliette Binoche), this powerful motion picture is an experience you will never forget. During World War II, a mysterious stranger (Ralph Fiennes) is cared for by American allies unaware of his dangerous past. Yet, as the mystery of his identity is revealed, an incredible tale of passion, intrigue, and adventure unfolds. Also starring Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin Firth, and Willem Dafoe.

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

Ralph Fiennes: British actor, THE ENGLISH PATIENT, SCHINDLER'S LIST
Juliette Binoche: French Actress, CHOCOLAT (2000)
Kristin Scott Thomas: British actress
Willem Dafoe: American Actor
Naveen Andrews: British actor, THE ENGLISH PATIENT, LOST
Colin Firth: British Actor
Julian Wadham: Actor
Jürgen Prochnow: German Actor
Kevin Whately: British TV Actor/"Morse"
Clive Merrison: Star, THE IMPRESSIONISTS (2006)
Nino Castelnuovo: Actor/"Umbrel. Cherbourg"
Hichem Rostom: 
Peter Ruhring: 
Geordie Johnson: 
Torri Higginson: Actress/"Tekwar"
Lusa Repo-Martell: 
Raymond Coulthard: 
Philip Whitchurch: 
Lee Ross: 
Anthony Smee: British TV Actor/Crusades
Michael Ferguson: British TV Producer
Jason Done: 
Roger Morlidge: 
Sebastian Sherlock: 
Fritz Eggert: 
Sebastian Schipper: 
Sonia Mankai: 
Rim Turki: 
Sebastian Rudolph: 
Thoraya Sehill: 
Sondess Belhassen: 
Dominic Mafham: 
Gregor Truter: 
Salah Miled: 
Abdellatif Hamrouni: 
Samy Azaiez: 
Habib Chetoui: 
Phillipa Day: 
Amanda Walker: British Supporting Actress
Paul Kant: 

Anthony Minghella: Playwright/Screenwriter/Director

Saul Zaentz: Producer/distributor

Anthony Minghella: Playwright/Screenwriter/Director

Gabriel Yared: Film composer

Walter Murch: Editor, JARHEAD (2005)

"...Minghella proves that a movie love story can be smart, principled and provoking, and still sweep you away..."
"...A mesmerizing romantic epic....THE ENGLISH PATIENT captivates as only the grandest and most consuming passions can..."
"...Respectable, intelligent....With its exotic, tapestry-like backgrounds, this is a picture of resplendently textured, sensuous surfaces..."
"...This poetic, evocative film version of the famous novel by Michael Ondaatje circles down through layers of mystery until all of the puzzle in the story have been solved..."