Rating: 
Summary: One of the best films of all time?
Review: In the final days of the last war, a badly burned man lies dying in an abandoned church in newly liberated Italy. With his memory of the past gone, the one purpose left in his life is to regain his memories before he dies. As those memories come back, a story of love and tragedy emerges.This film appeals on very many different levels. The story that unfolds of the doomed love between The English Patient and the wife of one of his fellow pilots and explorers really is a powerful tale. But as this is revealed, we also see the Patient struggling with a life whose only purpose has become to try to survive for long enough to remember. We see this man living parts of his life again as the memories return. Interwoven with this is the quest of the mysterious Carravagio to find, confront and bring to justice the man whom he blames for the mutilations that he suffered at the hands of the Germans. Then there is the story of the Army Nurse, Juliette Binoche who, despite the conflicts and tragedies that she sees remains totally committed to both her patient and the man whom she comes to love. If these story items are not enough, the beautiful filming of Africa and Italy is real artistry. It's just wonderful to look at. Even without characters and plot, the landscapes and flying sequences would make it worth watching this film. The acting is a delight to view as well. The actors are confronted with roles that cannot have been at all easy to portray. Despite this, every character in the film is brought to life. This film was showered with awards when first released and it deserved every one of them. It's a great movie and you can watch it over and over again and keep finding something new to think about.
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Summary: A masterpiece not seen since Lawrence Of Arabia or Dr. Z
Review: In the tradition of the great epics of the 1930's and 40's such as Gone with the Wind and Casablanca, the English Patient combines a diverse human story of love, war, strife and sacrifice to create a literary masterpiece on the big screen. Set within a deserted villa on the rolling hills of the Italian countryside of 1944, a horribly burned and disfigured man who known to his nurse Hanna (Juliette Binoche) only as the English Patient, takes us back in time when he was still Hungarian-born Count Lazslo Almasy (Ralph Fiennes). But more than a count, mapmaker and explorer are on a mission in North Africa until his place is shot from the sky in an all-consuming fireball. At a time when the need for Europeans to settle and create an Africa of their own was still the science of Western government, his bed-ridden state creates a setting for the revelation of thoughts spurred on by demons of guilt and sorrow as slowly his memories of deceitful transactions and betrayal on behalf of the highest bidder (government) begin to wash up their poisonous results. Willem Dafoe is David Caravaggio, the thieving, thumbless Canadian spy, who is determined to lay open Almasy for the deceiver that he is. Nonetheless, Almasy's greatest lamentation is neither over his work as an intelligence mercenary or his shocking physical appearance. Instead, he is emotionally contorted over the loss Katherine Clifton, played by Kristin Scott-Thomas. The desert cinematography of this film is undoubtedly one to rival that of Lawrence OF Arabia and Anthony Minghella's directorial talents have now established him as the as the greatest director of epic narratives since David Lean (Lawrence Of Arabia, Dr. Zhivago) and Sir Richard Attenborough (Gandhi, Shadowlands). The English Patient has an ability like no other film to capture symbolism by combining film, art (the Swimmers) and music to give birth to an astonishing and bona fide human tragedy.
Rating:
Summary: A master piece!
Review: The English Patient is probably my favorite movie of all time; Fiennes whom plays the main character is spell binding. The love story is so powerful that I end up crying every time I watch it. There is something about the story that touches my soul or inner self, that few movies or novels for that matter have been able to do. Especially powerful is the scene when he carries her to the cave and he mentions that she is wearing the thimble that he gave her. Another powerful scene is when he is questioned what his name is. The supporting actors also do a commendable job and the music in the movie definitely adds to the atmosphere without being a distraction. Some people would say that it is a story about a wife being unfaithful to her husband and then facing the consequences. However, I see it more as a tragic love story about two people who fall in love under the wrong circumstances. I especially agree with the notion that people are more important then conflicts or nations.
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Summary: The movie's great, the DVD is not...
Review: I loved this movie and was really excited about getting the DVD. The sound is great, and I was still satisfied even thought there are absolutely no special features and the transfer is non-anamorphic. However, there's something screwy with the layer transfer, so I can only watch up to minute 85:00, and after Chapter 17. I don't know if this is widespread with Miramax, but I will think twice before I buy from them again.
Rating:
Summary: Exhilarating, beautiful and moving!
Review: This movie makes you feel like falling in love but leaves you aware of the consequenses. It's by far the most beautifully filmed movie, with love, betrayal, and passion galore. A must see!
Rating: 
Summary: Perhaps the most beautiful, boring movie ever made !
Review: I loved Out of Africa, So I really enjoyed Kristen Scott-Thomas's clothes. The Cinnematography was gorgeously presented. It was quite captivating! So, if these things REALLY appeal to you, I mean, REALLY, REALLY appeal to you, then don't miss this movie!
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, moving and full of angst
Review: If you're looking for a movie with plenty of angst, you couldn't make a better selection. Fiennes absolutely oozes pain and longing in the same breath throughout this film and makes us all remember the beginnings of deep love. You will find the chemistry between Fiennes and Scott flammable regardless of whether you like either of these actors. They burn up the screen unlike any other screen lovers I have ever seen. If you want to wring your heart and have a good cry, this is the movie to see.
Rating: 
Summary: Very smooth DVD version of an emotional film
Review: Picture and sound quality of this DVD are very good. The music comes across very well, clearly and is mixed to the right levels. The sandstorm is particulary effective for rear surrounds. The picture quality is sharp and there are no noticeable motion artefacts. As for the film, it's one of those perfectly crafted romantic stories with real punch. The first time I saw it I thought it could have ended slightly earlier but the second time around I thought it could have easily been longer and explored the characters even more. Overall, well worth having in a DVD collection.
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Summary: 9 Academy Awards explains it partly¿
Review: I have no doubt that "The English Patient" is a good book as well: I've not read it. The scenario of the film is such that we can only hope most of its originality lay with its author, Michael Ondaatje. What an achievement! Mix passion, history and adventure, love and war, high drama and pathos, as well as wonderful photography, all up together, and you might get anything at all as a result. What Best Director Anthony Minghella has come up with is, however, something nearing the zenith of cinematographic perfection. An epic film taking us through the immense dustbowl of a world in crisis (with the intriguing balance of archaeology and ancient cultures off slightly to one side), and using the war as a backdrop for both human folly and grandeur, "The English Patient" simply should not be missed.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Film!
Review: I absolutely LOVE this film, it's such a touching story between Ralph Fiennes (who does an amazing job) and Kristin Scott Thomas, as well as Juliette Binoche, who you cry along with every time a tragedy occurs in her life. You grow to love all the characters, and the two story lines blend together perfectly to create a masterpiece that deserved every oscar it won. A must see for any Fiennes and Binoche fan. Great job Anthony Minghella!
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