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Basil

  • 1998
  • R
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
Christian Slater, Claire Forlani, and Jared Leto in Basil (1998)
DramaRomance

A lonely young aristocrat in turn-of the century England stuggles to meet the approval of his over-bearing, class-conscious father while trying to please the selfish woman he loves.A lonely young aristocrat in turn-of the century England stuggles to meet the approval of his over-bearing, class-conscious father while trying to please the selfish woman he loves.A lonely young aristocrat in turn-of the century England stuggles to meet the approval of his over-bearing, class-conscious father while trying to please the selfish woman he loves.

  • Director
    • Radha Bharadwaj
  • Writers
    • Radha Bharadwaj
    • Wilkie Collins
  • Stars
    • Christian Slater
    • Jared Leto
    • Claire Forlani
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.8/10
    2.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Radha Bharadwaj
    • Writers
      • Radha Bharadwaj
      • Wilkie Collins
    • Stars
      • Christian Slater
      • Jared Leto
      • Claire Forlani
    • 35User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos18

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    Top cast23

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    Christian Slater
    Christian Slater
    • John Mannion
    Jared Leto
    Jared Leto
    • Basil
    Claire Forlani
    Claire Forlani
    • Julia Sherwin
    Derek Jacobi
    Derek Jacobi
    • Father Frederick
    David Ross
    • Mr. Sherwin
    Crispin Bonham-Carter
    Crispin Bonham-Carter
    • Ralph
    Stephanie Bagshaw
    • Emma Mannion
    Maisie Bryceland
    • Sherwin Maid
    • (as Maisie Tomlinson)
    Jenny Downham
    • Anna, Ralph's Wife
    Carli Fish
    Carli Fish
    • Young Clara Fairfax
    • (as Carli Harris)
    Ann-Louise Grimshaw
    • Knitting Nurse
    • (as Ann Louise Grimshaw)
    Sarah Hadland
    Sarah Hadland
    • Windmere House Chambermaid
    Joanna John
    • Mother Agnes
    Georgiana Johnson
    • Young Clara
    Jackson Ellis Leach
    • Young Basil
    • (as Jackson Leach)
    Michael Lieber
    Michael Lieber
    • Boy with fishing rod
    Glenn Marks
    • Tramp
    Hannah Morris
    • Regent's Park House Maid
    • Director
      • Radha Bharadwaj
    • Writers
      • Radha Bharadwaj
      • Wilkie Collins
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Rachel Pickup's debut.
    • Quotes

      Father Frederick: Make-believe is never harmless.

    User reviews35

    Featured review

    Second son survives in Victorian saga, but why?

    "Basil" is a curiously compelling film. I rented it purely because it "looked Victorian" and I was in the mood for something different. It turned out to be very Victorian, a family saga set somewhere in the 19th Century. Wealthy, but not titled, father has two sons. His pompous and hypocritical Victorian "family values" provide the dramatic force for the story -- otherwise, it's just a bland Harlequin-type romance. The father's confrontations with sons over women end each time with decisions totally alien to our modern sensibilities. Very jarring. Jared Leto as Basil is a little strained in his acting, but always nice to look at. C. Slater is surprisingly (and obviously) good in this "historical" role, and he has a secret which provides a twist near the end. The end itself provides a strange turn that may make you wonder if Basil wouldn't have been happier in a new-age commune in modern New Mexico. Of course, it is basically a chick-flick....
    • Vedek
    • Jun 15, 2000
    • Permalink

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    FAQ16

    • How long is Basil?Powered by Alexa
    • Is "Basil" based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 22, 1998 (Norway)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Безіл
    • Filming locations
      • England, UK
    • Production company
      • Showcareer Limited Production
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 53 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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    Christian Slater, Claire Forlani, and Jared Leto in Basil (1998)
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