Quills
2000 · Movie · R · 124 min · ★ 7.1 · 73% critics
In early 19th-century France, a famed writer is confined in an asylum, yet his forbidden writings keep spreading beyond its walls. As control tightens, a reform-minded leader clashes with a harsh newcomer determined to silence him, turning the struggle into a collision of desire, power, and censorship.
Based on Quills
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Details
- Years
- 2000
- Release date
- 2000-11-22
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 124 min
- Critic score
- 73/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.1/10 (725 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy Quills if you’re drawn to bold disputes over free speech and restraint, with dark, gripping drama and standout performances; Not for you if you want a straightforward historical account or if you’re sensitive to extreme sexual content and disturbing asylum material.
Pros: strong acting; sharp censorship theme; lavish period look | Cons: very explicit content; disturbing asylum atmosphere; historical inaccuracies
Themes
- paris, france
- smuggling (contraband)
- asylum
- french revolution
- based on play or musical
- maid
- erotic novel
- 19th century
- erotic
- forbidden book
Awards & recognition
- National Board of Review Award — Best Film
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Academy Award — Best Costume Design · 2001 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Production Design · 2001 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 2001 · nominated
Cast & crew
Geoffrey Rush
as Marquis de Sade
Kate Winslet
as Madeleine LeClerc
Joaquin Phoenix
as Abbe du Coulmier
Michael Caine
as Dr. Royer-Collard
Billie Whitelaw
as Madame LeClerc
Patrick Malahide
as Delbené
Amelia Warner
as Simone
Jane Menelaus
as Renee Pelagie
Stephen Moyer
as Prouix
Tony Pritchard
as Valcour
Directed by Philip Kaufman