Angels and Insects (1995)

In the 1800s a naturalist marries into a family of British aristocrats.

Director:

Philip Haas

Writers:

A.S. Byatt (novel), Belinda Haas (screenplay),

Stars:

Mark Rylance, Kristin Scott Thomas, Patsy Kensit

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Rylance	...	William Adamson
Kristin Scott Thomas	...	Matty Crompton
Patsy Kensit	...	Eugenia Alabaster Adamson
Jeremy Kemp	...	Sir Harald Alabaster
Douglas Henshall	...	Edgar Alabaster
Annette Badland	...	Lady Alabaster
Chris Larkin	...	Robin
Anna Massey	...	Miss Mead
Saskia Wickham	...	Rowena Alabaster
Lindsay Thomas	...	Lady Alabaster's Maid
Michelle Sylvester	...	Margaret Alabaster
Clare Lovell	...	Elaine Alabaster
Jenny Lovell	...	Edith Alabaster
Oona Haas	...	Alice Alabaster
Angus Hodder	...	Guy Alabaster

Storyline

The movie is a study of an aristocratic family in the Victorian England. William Adamson, a young scientist, is introduced into the aristocratic family Alabaster by reverend Alabaster who is also fascinated by insects. William marries the older daughter of the family and studies the amounts of insects in the garden of the villa. His - for the aristocrats - strange behaviours reveal at the same time their own failures and passions.

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Plot Keywords:

insect | aristocrat | naturalist | england | passion | 

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Taglines:

An Elegant Seduction. An Erotic Deception. A Stunning Revelation.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexuality and graphic nudity

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 January 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Des anges et des insectes

Filming Locations:

Arbury Hall, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England, UK

Box Office

Gross:

$5,304,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Playhouse International Pictures, Samuel Goldwyn Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In spite of being set in England, we hear the songs and calls of three birds from North America: Red-winged Blackbird, American Robin, and Blue Jay.

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Quotes

Mr. William Adamson: Whom can I tell that I should not destroy in the telling.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Screamers/Richard III/Bed of Roses/Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored/Angels and Insects (1996)

User Reviews

Mature and fascinating

This was thoroughly engaging and thoughtful film, with a rich and fascinating plot and characters.

The opening scene of the natives of South America dancing is a well edited opening, and the word 'Angels" appears over it. Indeed, all the Angels in this film are not in England (where the rest of the film takes place). William Adamson (Mark Rylance), a biologist who collects rare insects (especially the butterfly), survives a shipwreck and comes under the protection of an upper class English family. That's where he falls in love with Eugenia (Patsy Kensit). But every family has it's secrets.

Someone described this as "Merchant-Ivory meets Tennessee Williams", which is a perfect way to describe this film.

Several have complained about the actors, saying that there is not a single stand-out performance. I disagree, as both Rylance and Kristin Scott Thomas (in a performance worthy of an oscar nomination) acquit themselves well. The script is also very well written, and the costumes deserved the Oscar nomination.

One of the ten best of 1996.