The English Patient (DVD)

“The English Patient” was released in 1996, and won an astonishing 9 academy awards, believe me, you’ll know why once you have seen it. The opening scenes are highly visual; a plane silhouetted against endless golden sand dunes carrying two passengers; a man and a woman. The plane is then abruptly shot to the ground by Germans and it is at this point that you first acquaint yourself with the film’s namesake “The English Patient”. Horrifically burnt and unable to remember much at all, he is given that name, as he is unknown. The film swings back and forth from the late 1930’s to 1945 Italy, a case of the ugly ...  Read the complete review

I was recommended this film after writing a review on the film Atonement as I thoroughly enjoyed that film. I did buy this several months ago but never got around to watching it as the length was putting me off. As I had the house to myself last night I decided I would take the plunge and give it a go and I am so pleased that I did. Ralph Fiennes plays the role of a badly burnt pilot who is rescued by the English and given a hospital bed. He has no memory of who he is and how he came to be this way. Nurse Hana is given the task of looking after him. As he and others are being moved to a safer place due to the war one of Hana's friends is killed by a bomb so ...  Read the complete review

Now here's an epic, wonderful film full of depth and beauty, and one I could quite happily watch time and time again (in fact I have!) The film is set at the end of World War 2, and follows a nurse who is looking after a man suffering from terrible burns. His life story is told in flashbacks throughout the film - a story of love and loss that will make all but the most hardened viewers cry like a baby. The brilliance of this film is its unpredictability. Based on the equally excellent book, it really is a film that has a sweeping plot, one full of adventure, mystery, intrigue and love. The story flows between all of these stages with grace, and you ...  Read the complete review

It's very rare that I enjoy a film more than the original book but this is one of those times. I enjoyed the book don't get me wrong, but in my opinion the author isn't very good at describing feelings, although it cannot be doubted that the descriptions of 'places' and 'things' etc are excellent. Therefore if I had simply the read the book, then I'm not sure that I would have really understood the depth of feelings between Catherine and Almasy. Perhaps it's a girl thing, but the words in the book don't really prove their love, it just tells us that it is so without giving the reader cause for ever thinking otherwise. Almasy's actions may point to his strength of ...  Read the complete review

I think the reviews of this opinion on dooyoo will make interesting reading and wouldn't be surprised to see it rating either 1 or 5 stars with little in between as I believe it is a film you're either going to love or hate. Personally I loved it. Not foolproof but I think if you've enjoyed other such epic films such as Dr Zhivago or the television series Brideshead Revisited you'll enjoy this film. If you enjoy your movies action led or with dramatic twists I think you may find this film drawn out and tedious. It is very much a film exploring relationship themes, feelings and emotions. The film opens effectively with the end - it is ...  Read the complete review