A Handful of Dust (1988)
-
40% of users liked it
(1,937 ratings)
Based on a novel by Evelyn Waugh, Handful of Dust is set amongst Britain's aristocracy of the 1930s. At sumptuous Hetton Abbey, tradition-bound country squire James Wilby and his wife Kristin Scott Thomas open their doors to well-connected but impoverished Rupert Graves. Graves returns… More Based on a novel by Evelyn Waugh, Handful of Dust is set amongst Britain's aristocracy of the 1930s. At sumptuous Hetton Abbey, tradition-bound country squire James Wilby and his wife Kristin Scott Thomas open their doors to well-connected but impoverished Rupert Graves. Graves returns Wilby's hospitality by having an affair with Scott Thomas, while Wilby gamboles about his estate without a clue of what is going on. Wilby's cloistered world comes tumbling down when Scott Thomas coolly demands a divorce, shortly after the accidental death of their young son. Wilby discovers that his divorce settlement will cost him Hetton Abbey; he faces this circumstance by not facing it at all, preferring to escape to South America, stiff upper lip intact, in the company of a dotty explorer. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Charles Sturridge
- Genres
- Drama, Television, Art House & International
PG,
- In Theaters
- Jul 1, 1988 Wide
Critic Reviews
-
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Hansomely mounted, Charles Sturridge's adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's novel places too much emphasis on atmosphere and decor and not enough on characterization.
-
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Handsome, but airless and uninvolving version of the Waugh novel
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
James Wilby
as Tony Last
-
Kristin Scott Thomas
as Brenda Last
-
Rupert Graves
as John Beaver
-
Anjelica Huston
as Mrs. Rattery
-
Alec Guinness
as Mr. Todd
-
Judi Dench
as Mrs. Beaver
-
Pip Torrens
as Jock Grant-Menzies
-
Cathryn Harrison
as Milly
-
Timothy Bateson
as MacDouglas
-
Richard Beale
as Ben
-
Maureen Bennett
as Marjorie's Maid
-
Annabel Brooks
as Daisy
-
Graham Crowden
as Mr. Graceful
-
Beatie Edney
as Marjorie
-
Marsha Fitzalan
as Polly Cockpurse
-
Moyra Fraser
as Mrs. Northcote
-
Stephen Fry
as Reggie
-
Tristram Jellinek
as Richard Last
-
Jack Kyle
as John Andrew Last
-
Richard Leech
as Doctor
-
Norman Lumsden
as Ambrose
-
Roger Milner
as Vicar
-
Kate Percival
as Miss Ripon
-
John Quentin
as Brenda's Solicitor
-
Jeanne Watts
as Nanny
-
John Junkin
as Blenkinsop
-
Alan Hay
as Club Porter
-
Peggy Aitchison
as Waitress
-
Jeannette Baillie
as Rosa
-
Alice Dawnay
as Winnie
-
Duke of Norfolk
as Gardener
-
Christopher Godwin
as Mr. Messinger
-
William Gonzalez
as Indian Singer
-
Julian Infante
as Indian Spokesman
-
Tamsin Olivier
as Veronica
-
Matthew Ryan
as Club Page
-
Hugh Simon
as Travel Agent
- Jackson Kyle
