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IMDbPro

A Handful of Dust

  • 1988
  • PG
  • 1h 58m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
Kristin Scott Thomas, Rupert Graves, and James Wilby in A Handful of Dust (1988)
The wife's affair and a death in the family hasten the demise of an upper-class English marriage.
Play trailer2:35
1 Video
42 Photos
DramaRomance

The wife's affair and a death in the family hasten the demise of an upper-class English marriage.The wife's affair and a death in the family hasten the demise of an upper-class English marriage.The wife's affair and a death in the family hasten the demise of an upper-class English marriage.

  • Director
    • Charles Sturridge
  • Writers
    • Evelyn Waugh
    • Tim Sullivan
    • Derek Granger
  • Stars
    • James Wilby
    • Kristin Scott Thomas
    • Richard Beale
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    2.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Charles Sturridge
    • Writers
      • Evelyn Waugh
      • Tim Sullivan
      • Derek Granger
    • Stars
      • James Wilby
      • Kristin Scott Thomas
      • Richard Beale
    • 34User reviews
    • 17Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 3 wins & 4 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:35
    Watch Trailer

    Photos42

    Kristin Scott Thomas, Rupert Graves, and James Wilby in A Handful of Dust (1988)
    Kristin Scott Thomas, Rupert Graves, and James Wilby in A Handful of Dust (1988)
    Kristin Scott Thomas in A Handful of Dust (1988)
    Kristin Scott Thomas, Rupert Graves, and James Wilby in A Handful of Dust (1988)
    Kristin Scott Thomas, Rupert Graves, and James Wilby in A Handful of Dust (1988)
    Kristin Scott Thomas, Rupert Graves, and James Wilby in A Handful of Dust (1988)
    Kristin Scott Thomas, Rupert Graves, and James Wilby in A Handful of Dust (1988)
    Rupert Graves in A Handful of Dust (1988)
    Kristin Scott Thomas and Rupert Graves in A Handful of Dust (1988)
    Judi Dench and Rupert Graves in A Handful of Dust (1988)
    Kristin Scott Thomas and Rupert Graves in A Handful of Dust (1988)
    Rupert Graves in A Handful of Dust (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Wilby
    James Wilby
    • Tony Last
    Kristin Scott Thomas
    Kristin Scott Thomas
    • Brenda Last
    Richard Beale
    Richard Beale
    • Ben
    Jackson Kyle
    • John Andrew
    Norman Lumsden
    • Ambrose
    Jeanne Watts
    • Nanny
    Kate Percival
    • Miss Ripon
    Richard Leech
    Richard Leech
    • Doctor
    Roger Milner
    • Vicar
    Tristram Jellinek
    • Richard Last
    Anjelica Huston
    Anjelica Huston
    • Mrs. Rattery
    Rupert Graves
    Rupert Graves
    • John Beaver
    Judi Dench
    Judi Dench
    • Mrs. Beaver
    Pip Torrens
    Pip Torrens
    • Jock
    Beatie Edney
    Beatie Edney
    • Marjorie
    Stephen Fry
    Stephen Fry
    • Reggie
    Graham Crowden
    Graham Crowden
    • Mr. Graceful
    John Quentin
    • Brenda's Solicitor
    • Director
      • Charles Sturridge
    • Writers
      • Evelyn Waugh
      • Tim Sullivan
      • Derek Granger
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Duke of Norfolk let his house be used and appeared as the gardener touching his forelock respectfully to Mrs. Ratterby (Anjelica Huston).
    • Quotes

      Tony Last: I felt low, bloody low. But, I'm all right again, now. The best thing is to get tight.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Arthur 2: On the Rocks/Short Circuit 2/Coming to America/A Handful of Dust/License to Drive (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      King Of Love My Shepherd Is
      (uncredited)

      Traditional Irish melody

      Words by Henry W. Baker (1868)

    User reviews34

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    A dusty handful
    At the end of this film, one wants to wash one's hands of the unmitigated cruelty pervading the atmosphere. The deliberate pace of the thirties setting (beautifully portrayed using the right houses, and suitable sets and costumes) ensures that every nuance of behaviour is clearly understood by the audience, and this is the great strength of the film. As I haven't read the book, but believe this is a faithful adaptation, I can commend both Charles Sturridge and the superb actors for translating what must be a difficult, but brilliant, novel by Evelyn Waugh, not only into an impressive film, but one that conveys thirties morals and social privilege in a way that rings true for today's 21st century attitudes.

    I think this is the best performance I have ever seen by James Wilby. Cuckolded by his wife (Kristin Scott Thomas in a fantastic debut performance), suffering from the death of his only son, he turns from a kind and gentle husband to one who wreaks revenge on his wife by cutting off all financial support. His agony over his son is exactly restrained in the manner of the period, his embarrassment over setting up the grounds for divorce by being caught in flagrante, his bewilderment when one would think he should be released from torment but is trapped by a vindictive eccentric (Alec Guinness, as usual, quite amazing) in the middle of the jungle, after nearly dying of fever, is a tour de force. This is his film, but Kristin Scott-Thomas (who was the original reason I watched this film in the first place), is simply delightful as the spoil, bored wife who can't resist Rupert Graves's boyish charm and dilettante lifestyle. No wonder Robert Altman chose her for Gosford Park; she is made for these roles. Her character's brittle insouciance, total selfishness and insensitivity, her lack of concern for her husband and son while she pursues alleviation from boredom with Rupert Graves, is reminiscent of Daisy Buchanan's behaviour in The Great Gatsby. Kristin Scott-Thomas shows a sophistication and acting aplomb which is breathtaking.

    Rupert Graves is convincing as the shallow man-about-town sponging off others but seducing charming to the ladies; Judi Dench gives a lovely cameo as his bourgeois mother; Cathryn Harrison is good as Millie, who is supposed to provide the evidence for the divorce; and Alec Guinness in one of his final roles, is chillingly menacing.

    I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys a good story well told, excellent acting, and a period setting.
    helpful•73
    2
    • jackie-107
    • Oct 4, 2004

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • June 24, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Evelyn Waugh's A Handful of Dust
    • Filming locations
      • Highclere Castle, Highclere, Hampshire, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Handful of Dust
      • Stagescreen Productions
      • London Weekend Television (LWT)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,560,700
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $35,470
      • Jun 26, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,560,700
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 58 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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