A patient, formally daring work — the cinematography lingers on empty rooms longer than most audiences will tolerate, but those who stay are rewarded with the most haunting final act of the year.
In the 1930s, Count Almásy is a Hungarian map maker employed by the Royal Geographical Society to chart the vast expanses of the Sahara Desert along with several other prominent explorers. As World War II unfolds, Almásy enters into a world of love, betrayal, and politics.
Quick Stats
7.1
TMDB Rating
2,421
Votes
2h 42m
Runtime
$27.0M
Budget
$232.0M
Box Office
859%
Return
Key Crew
DirectorAnthony Minghella
WriterMichael Ondaatje
CinematographyJohn Seale
ComposerGabriel Yared
EditorWalter Murch
Production DesignAurelio Crugnola
Produced by
MiramaxThe Saul Zaentz CompanyTiger Moth Productions
Where to Watch
Streaming
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Critics & Reviews
3 featured@celeste_writes
@jhalberg
I walked in expecting another genre exercise and walked out feeling like I'd been eavesdropping on a confession. The lead performance is genuinely singular — a career-defining turn.
@priya_a
A few too many scenes feel borrowed from a better film, but the soundtrack and the production design carry the rest. Solid recommendation for fans of slow-burn European thrillers.
Cast

Ralph Fiennes
Almásy

Juliette Binoche
Hana

Willem Dafoe
David Caravaggio

Kristin Scott Thomas
Katharine Clifton

Naveen Andrews
Sikh Kip

Colin Firth
Geoffrey Clifton

Julian Wadham
Madox

Torri Higginson
Mary

Jürgen Prochnow
Major Muller

Kevin Whately
Sgt. Hardy

Clive Merrison
Fenelon-Barnes

Nino Castelnuovo
D'Agostino

Hichem Rostom
Fouad
P
Peter Rühring
Bermann

Geordie Johnson
Oliver






