The film is set during World War II and follows the story of a critically burned man (played by Ralph Fiennes) who is being cared for at an Italian monastery. He is known only as “the English patient” due to his inability to remember his identity. The patient’s only companion is Hana (played by Juliette Binoche), a young nurse who refuses to leave his side.
As the patient recovers, he begins to recall fragments of his past, revealing that he is actually Count László de Almásy, a Hungarian cartographer and explorer. Through a series of flashbacks, the film explores Almásy’s tumultuous love affair with Katharine Clifton (played by Kristin Scott Thomas), the wife of a British explorer named Geoffrey Clifton (played by Colin Firth).
As Almásy’s memories unfold, the truth about his relationship with Katharine is revealed. Despite their passionate love for each other, Katharine ultimately chooses to stay with her husband, leading to a tragic chain of events that culminates in a plane crash in the Sahara Desert.
Back in the present, Hana forms a close bond with a Sikh bomb disposal expert named Kip (played by Naveen Andrews), who is stationed nearby. Their relationship deepens as they navigate the chaos and destruction of the war together.
As the war draws to a close, Hana must come to terms with the loss and trauma she has experienced, while also grappling with her feelings for Kip. Meanwhile, Almásy’s past catches up with him in a surprising and devastating way, forcing him to confront the consequences of his actions.
In the end, Hana and Kip must say goodbye as they go their separate ways, each forever changed by their experiences. Almásy’s fate is left ambiguous, with the film suggesting that he may have found a measure of peace and redemption in his final moments.
“The English Patient” is praised for its sweeping cinematography, evocative score, and powerful performances, particularly by Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche. It won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actress for Binoche, cementing its status as a cinematic masterpiece.