A Handful of Dust

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TOMATOMETER

Total Count: N/A

46%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,965

A Handful of Dust Photos

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Movie Info

Set in the Britain of the 1930's, a country squire and his wife take in a poor, but well-connected man. Unbeknownst to the squire, his wife soon begins an affair with the guest, and when she asks for a divorce he responds by taking off to South Africa.

Rating:

PG
Genre:

Art House & International, Drama, Television
Directed By:

Charles Sturridge
Written By:

Tim Sullivan, Charles Sturridge
In Theaters:

Jul 1, 1988 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Nov 16, 2004
Runtime:

114 minutes
Studio:

London Weekend Television

Cast

James Wilby
as Tony Last

Kristin Scott Thomas
as Brenda Last

Rupert Graves
as John Beaver

Anjelica Huston
as Mrs. Rattery

Judi Dench
as Mrs. Beaver

Alec Guinness
as Mr. Todd

Pip Torrens
as Jock

Jackson Kyle
as John Andrew

Beatie Edney
as Marjorie

Richard Beale
as Ben

Norman Lumsden
as Ambrose

Jeanne Watts
as Nanny

Kate Percival
as Miss Ripon

Jack Kyle
as John Andrew Last

Richard Leech
as Doctor

Roger Milner
as Vicar

Tristram Jellinek
as Richard Last

Stephen Fry
as Reggie

Graham Crowden
as Mr. Graceful

Timothy Bateson
as MacDougal

Moira Northcote
as Mrs. Northcote

Annabel Brooks
as Daisy

Tamsin Olivier
as Veronica

Cathryn Harrison
as Milly

Alice Dawnay
as Winnie

John Junkin
as Blenkinsop

Jeannette Baillie
as Rosa

John Quentin
as Brenda's Solicitor

Moyra Fraser
as Mrs. Northcote

Marsha Fitzalan
as Polly Cockpurse

Maureen Bennett
as Marjorie's Maid

Hugh Simon
as Travel Agent

Alan Hay
as Club Porter

Matthew Ryan
as Club Page

Peggy Aitchison
as Waitress

Christopher Godwin
as Mr. Messinger

Julian Infante
as Indian Spokesman

William Gonzalez
as Indian Singer

Duke of Norfolk
as Gardener

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Critic Reviews for A Handful of Dust

All Critics (4) | Top Critics (1) | Fresh (4)

This is a peculiar movie, but a provocative one. The performances imply more than the dialogue explains.

Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic
Something small but vital has gone wrong with this adaptation, but a great many things have gone right.

Apr 9, 2019 | Full Review…

Hilary Mantel
The Spectator
Hansomely mounted, Charles Sturridge's adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's novel places too much emphasis on atmosphere and decor and not enough on characterization.

Jun 7, 2012 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Handsome, but airless and uninvolving version of the Waugh novel

Sep 18, 2002 | Rating: 3/5

Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

View All Critic Reviews (4)

Audience Reviews for A Handful of Dust

Sep 11, 2007

Good cast. Poor script. I was disappointed.

Sunil J Super Reviewer
Jun 01, 2007

Beautiful and tragic. Classic Evelyn Waugh.

Robert C Super Reviewer