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Basil

  • 1998
  • R
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
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
    5.9/10
    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

    Edit
    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

    User reviews35

    5.92.2K
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    Featured reviews

    LuvinRob

    Great

    I saw this movie today on Romance Classics channel and it was great! A wonderful chick flick with 2 sexy men, Jared Leto and Christian Slater. I love the twist on the movie and the ending. Go see it.
    8phd_travel

    Bizarre and unexpected - worth a watch

    This movie is based on Wilkie Collins' (author of Moonstone and Woman int White) little known 2nd novel "Basil". The story is an unexpected combination of a Victorian Gothic novel with lust, passion, betrayal, revenge and more. It comes across as more sensational and modern than one would expect from a story from the mid 1800s. I think the screenplay expanded upon the novel. The plot twists are quite startling and some aspects of the story don't make that much sense in a but it's a suspenseful and satisfying yarn to watch on screen.

    The filming is quite well done with atmospheric locations and sets. The cast is interesting with Jared Leto and Christian Slater both playing English characters with accents that aren't quite spot on of course. Half Italian Claire Forlani plays an English lady although she has a slightly Mediterranean look.

    Instead of watching another adaptation of Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights give this one a chance.
    10Emily01

    Why didn't they release this in theaters?!

    I watched this movie on AMC yesterday afternoon. I was glued to my television set for 2 hours. I didn't move a muscle. I must say that most of my faith in Christian Slater is restored. His work in this film is superb. I attempted to explain this movie to someone, but it was just too complicated. The story was excellent! Unfortunately, this film wasn't released in theaters. I certainly would have paid $6.50 to see it again.
    6ksf-2

    period piece... old london

    A brit production, where the two leads are american. Basil's older brother had shamed the family, so he was sent away. Basil has always been careful around his dad, but there may be a showdown coming! Father doesn't approve of the young lady for whom basil has fallen. Mannion has become basil's friend, and will try to help. Julia's father agrees to the wedding, but they may not consummate the marriage until it is too late for basil to be dis-inherited. It's okay. The first half is pretty slow. The script is rather sparse, and we feel the desolation that basil feels. Twists, turns, intrigue. In the close-ups, faces, eyes, wallpaper, paintings are quite vivid. In the wide shots, everything and everyone is a bit faded, or foggy. It's possible they did something to the film to give it an aged look, like sepia. Directed by radha bharadwaj. Story by wilkie collins.
    Vedek

    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....

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Rachel Pickup's debut.
    • Quotes

      Father Frederick: Make-believe is never harmless.

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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

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

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      • 1h 53m(113 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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