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.

---

Plot Keywords:

insect | aristocrat | naturalist | england | passion | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

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

William and Matty both cast at least three shadows on the door, despite being only lit by a single candle.

---

Quotes

Matty Crompton: I wish humankind would create such altruistic virtues, but sometimes I think socialism may never be realized.

---

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

Inscrutable and tentative...

A U.S.-British co-production for PBS, from A.S. Byatt's story "Morpho Eugenia" (a better title!), this head-scratcher of a human drama involves a Victorian England bug-specialist who comes to stay with a wealthy family and falls in love with his benefactor's lovely but unstable daughter. A carefully plotted picture, which might mean slow or sluggish--yet the film is never boring. Moments of eccentricity, romance and surrealism are blended together with skill, and the actresses in particular (Kristen Scott Thomas and the wonderfully brave Patsy Kensit) are first-rate. It's a difficult film, but one worth staying with. **1/2 from ****