Page

Quills

❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Watch trailer

02:26

Quills

Save

Summary

Biographical drama starring Geoffrey Rush, Kate Winslet and Joaquin Phoenix. Despite his incarceration in an asylum for the insane, the Marquis de Sade continues to write his sexually explicit stories. When his latest novel is published, it attracts the attention of Napoleon, who sends in the brutal Dr Royer-Collard to silence de Sade. A battle of wills ensues, with both men prepared to go to extreme lengths to get their way.

Ad

Powered By

IMDB

Review

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Lorien Haynes

Depending on your point of view, this is either a remarkable testimony to the importance of artistic freedom or the debauched tale of a devilish man: either way, it's a considerable cinematic achievement. Geoffrey Rush is perfect as the unrepentant Marquis de Sade, confined to a mental institution and smuggling his "smut" to a publisher via laundry maid Kate Winslet. When hard-line psychiatrist Michael Caine is sent to oversee the liberal regime of priest Joaquin Phoenix, de Sade has to use all his ingenuity to continue writing. Director Philip Kaufman's multilayered exploration of cruelty, repression and hypocrisy celebrates de Sade's indomitable spirit, while reminding us of the enduring and corruptive power of his imagination. Quills is the work of a master.

imdb-square

7.2/10

How to watch

Loading

Streaming

Credits

Cast

rolenameMarquis de SadeGeoffrey RushMadeleineKate WinsletAbbé CoulmierJoaquin PhoenixDr Royer-CollardMichael CaineMadame LeClercBillie WhitelawDelbènePatrick MalahideSimoneAmelia WarnerRenée PelagieJane MenelausFranvalEdward Tudor-PoleMademoiselle ClairwilPauline McLynn

Show more

Crew

rolenameDirectorPhilip Kaufman

Details

Theatrical distributor

20th Century Fox

Released on

2001-01-19

Languages

English | Latin

Guidance

Violence, swearing, sex scenes and nudity.

Available on

video and DVD

Formats

Colour

News & features about Quills

Ad

Ad

Ad