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The Sheltering Sky (1990)

R 138 min  -  Adventure | Drama | Romance  -   12 December 1990 (USA)
6.6
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Ratings: 6.6/10 from 5,475 users  
Reviews: 60 user | 28 critic

The American artist couple Port and Kit Moresby travel aimlessly through Africa, searching for new experiences that could give sense to their relationship. But the flight to distant regions only leads both deeper into despair.

Writers:

Paul Bowles (book), Mark Peploe (screenplay), and 1 more credit »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Debra Winger ...
Kit Moresby
John Malkovich ...
Port Moresby
Campbell Scott ...
George Tunner
Jill Bennett Jill Bennett ...
Mrs. Lyle
Timothy Spall ...
Eric Lyle
Eric Vu-An Eric Vu-An ...
Belqassim
Amina Annabi Amina Annabi ...
Mahrnia
Philippe Morier-Genoud Philippe Morier-Genoud ...
Captain Broussard
Sotigui Kouyaté Sotigui Kouyaté ...
Abdelkader (as Sotigui Kouyate)
Tom Novembre Tom Novembre ...
French Immigration Officer
Ben Smaïl Ben Smaïl ...
Smail (as Ben Smail)
Kamel Cherif Kamel Cherif ...
Ticket Seller
Mohammed Afifi Mohammed Afifi ...
Mohamed (as Afifi Mohamed)
Brahim Oubana Brahim Oubana ...
Young Arab
Carolyn De Fonseca Carolyn De Fonseca ...
Miss Ferry (as Carolyn de Fonseca)
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Storyline

The American artist couple Port and Kit Moresby travels aimless through Africa, searching for new experiences that could give new sense to their relationship. But the flight to distant regions leads both only deeper into despair. Written by Thomas Manhardt <Thomas.Manhardt@wu-wien.ac.at>  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

A woman's dangerous and erotic journey...

Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Romance

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

UK | Italy

Language:

English | French | Arabic

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Il tè nel deserto See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$82,753 (USA) (12 December 1990) (3 Screens)

Gross:

$2,075,084 (USA)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

John Malkovich's character, Port Moresby, has the same name as the capital city of Papua New Guinea. See more »

Goofs

Crew or equipment visible: The crew is reflected in the mirror when Kit gets out of bed alone. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Port Moresby: Well, terra firma.
Tunner: We're probably the first tourists they've had since the war.
Kit Moresby: Tunner, we're not tourists. We're travelers.
Tunner: Oh. What's the difference?
Port Moresby: A tourist is someone who thinks about going home the moment they arrive, Tunner.
Kit Moresby: Whereas a traveler might not come back at all.
Tunner: You mean *I'm* a tourist.
Kit Moresby: Yes, Tunner. And I'm half and half.
See more »


Soundtracks

"Han El Wid"
Written by Mohamed Abdel Wahab
Performed by Simone Shaheen See more »