A Handful of Dust (1988)

41% of users liked it
(1,894 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 Wilby's… 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

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 54 min.
Directed By: Charles Sturridge
Genres: Drama, Television, Art House & International

In Theaters: Jul 1, 1988 Wide
On DVD: Nov 16, 2004

Critic Reviews

Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Handsome, but airless and uninvolving version of the Waugh novel

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Featured Audience Ratings

Robert C

Beautiful and tragic. Classic Evelyn Waugh.
Sunil J

Good cast. Poor script. I was disappointed.

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
            
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