Howards End (film)

Updated: 12/20/2025, 1:20:26 PM Wikipedia source

Howards End is a 1992 historical romantic drama film directed by James Ivory, from a screenplay written by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala based on the 1910 novel by E. M. Forster. Marking Merchant Ivory Productions' third adaptation of a Forster novel (following 1985's A Room with a View, and 1987's Maurice), it was the first film to be released by Sony Pictures Classics. The film's narrative explores class relations in turn-of-the-20th-century Britain, through events in the lives of the Schlegel sisters. The film stars Emma Thompson, Anthony Hopkins, Helena Bonham Carter and Vanessa Redgrave, with James Wilby, Samuel West, Jemma Redgrave and Prunella Scales in supporting roles. The film was theatrically released on 13 March 1992 to critical acclaim and commercial success, grossing over $32 million on an $8 million budget. It was in competition at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival and won the 45th Anniversary Award. At the 65th Academy Awards, the film received a leading nine nominations including for Best Picture, and won three: Best Actress (for Thompson), Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published, and Best Art Direction. At the 46th British Academy Film Awards, it garnered a leading eleven nominations, winning two awards; Best Film and Best Actress (for Thompson).

Infobox

Directed by

James Ivory

Screenplay by

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

Based on

Howards Endby E. M. Forster

Produced by

Ismail Merchant

Starring

mw- Anthony Hopkins Vanessa Redgrave Helena Bonham Carter Emma Thompson James Wilby Samuel West Jemma Redgrave Prunella Scales

Cinematography

Tony Pierce-Roberts

Edited by

Andrew Marcus

Music by

Richard Robbins (score) Percy Grainger (opening titles and end titles)

Productioncompanies

Merchant Ivory ProductionsSumitomo CorporationImagica CorporationCinema TenJSB Japan Satellite Broadcasting, Inc.Ide ProductionsFilmFour International

Distributed by

Sony Pictures Classics (United States)Mayfair Entertainment (United Kingdom)

Release dates

27 February 1992 (1992-02-27) (Premiere) 13 March 1992 (1992-03-13) (United States) 1 May 1992 (1992-05-01) (United Kingdom)

Running time

142 minutes

Countries

United Kingdom Japan United States

Language

English

Budget

$8 million

Box office

$32 million (US/UK)

Tables

· Release › Awards and nominations

Academy Awards

Award

Academy Awards

Category

Best Picture

Nominee(s)

Ismail Merchant

Result

Nominated

Best Director

Award

Best Director

Category

James Ivory

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Best Actress

Award

Best Actress

Category

Emma Thompson

Nominee(s)

Won

Best Supporting Actress

Award

Best Supporting Actress

Category

Vanessa Redgrave

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Best Screenplay – Based on Material Previously Produced or Published

Award

Best Screenplay – Based on Material Previously Produced or Published

Category

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

Nominee(s)

Won

Best Art Direction

Award

Best Art Direction

Category

Art Direction: Luciana Arrighi; Set Decoration: Ian Whittaker

Nominee(s)

Won

Best Cinematography

Award

Best Cinematography

Category

Tony Pierce-Roberts

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Best Costume Design

Award

Best Costume Design

Category

Jenny Beavan and John Bright

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Best Original Score

Award

Best Original Score

Category

Richard Robbins

Nominee(s)

Nominated

American Society of Cinematographers Awards

Award

American Society of Cinematographers Awards

Category

Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases

Nominee(s)

Tony Pierce-Roberts

Result

Nominated

Argentine Film Critics Association Awards

Award

Argentine Film Critics Association Awards

Category

Best Foreign Film

Nominee(s)

James Ivory

Result

Nominated

Bodil Awards

Award

Bodil Awards

Category

Best European Film

Nominee(s)

James Ivory

Result

Won

Boston Society of Film Critics Awards

Award

Boston Society of Film Critics Awards

Category

Best Actress

Nominee(s)

Emma Thompson

Result

Won

British Academy Film Awards

Award

British Academy Film Awards

Category

Best Film

Nominee(s)

Ismail Merchant and James Ivory

Result

Won

Best Direction

Award

Best Direction

Category

James Ivory

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Award

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Category

Emma Thompson

Nominee(s)

Won

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Award

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Category

Samuel West

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Award

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Category

Helena Bonham Carter

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Best Adapted Screenplay

Award

Best Adapted Screenplay

Category

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Best Cinematography

Award

Best Cinematography

Category

Tony Pierce-Roberts

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Best Costume Design

Award

Best Costume Design

Category

Jenny Beavan and John Bright

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Best Editing

Award

Best Editing

Category

Andrew Marcus

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Best Make Up Artist

Award

Best Make Up Artist

Category

Christine Beveridge

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Best Production Design

Award

Best Production Design

Category

Luciana Arrighi

Nominee(s)

Nominated

British Society of Cinematographers Awards

Award

British Society of Cinematographers Awards

Category

Best Cinematography in a Theatrical Feature Film

Nominee(s)

Tony Pierce-Roberts

Result

Won

Camerimage

Award

Camerimage

Category

Golden Frog

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Cannes Film Festival

Award

Cannes Film Festival

Category

Palme d'Or

Nominee(s)

James Ivory

Result

Nominated

45th Anniversary Prize

Award

45th Anniversary Prize

Category

Won

César Awards

Award

César Awards

Category

Best Foreign Film

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Chicago Film Critics Association Awards

Award

Chicago Film Critics Association Awards

Category

Best Actress

Nominee(s)

Emma Thompson

Result

Won

Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards

Award

Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards

Category

Best Film

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Best Actress

Award

Best Actress

Category

Emma Thompson

Nominee(s)

Won

David di Donatello Awards

Award

David di Donatello Awards

Category

Best Foreign Film

Nominee(s)

James Ivory

Result

Nominated

Best Foreign Actor

Award

Best Foreign Actor

Category

Anthony Hopkins

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Best Foreign Actress

Award

Best Foreign Actress

Category

Emma Thompson

Nominee(s)

Won

Directors Guild of America Awards

Award

Directors Guild of America Awards

Category

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures

Nominee(s)

James Ivory

Result

Nominated

Evening Standard British Film Awards

Award

Evening Standard British Film Awards

Category

Best Film

Nominee(s)

Won

Best Actress

Award

Best Actress

Category

Emma Thompson (also for Peter's Friends)

Nominee(s)

Won

Golden Camera

Award

Golden Camera

Category

Best International Actress

Nominee(s)

Vanessa Redgrave (also for Young Catherine)

Result

Won

Golden Globe Awards

Award

Golden Globe Awards

Category

Best Motion Picture – Drama

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama

Award

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama

Category

Emma Thompson

Nominee(s)

Won

Best Director – Motion Picture

Award

Best Director – Motion Picture

Category

James Ivory

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture

Award

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture

Category

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Independent Spirit Awards

Award

Independent Spirit Awards

Category

Best Foreign Film

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards

Award

Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards

Category

Best Actress

Nominee(s)

Emma Thompson

Result

Won

London Film Critics Circle Awards

Award

London Film Critics Circle Awards

Category

British Film of the Year

Nominee(s)

Won

British Actress of the Year

Award

British Actress of the Year

Category

Emma Thompson

Nominee(s)

Won

Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards

Award

Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards

Category

Best Actress

Nominee(s)

Won

Nastro d'Argento

Award

Nastro d'Argento

Category

Best Foreign Director

Nominee(s)

James Ivory

Result

Nominated

Best Production Design

Award

Best Production Design

Category

Luciana Arrighi

Nominee(s)

Won

National Board of Review Awards

Award

National Board of Review Awards

Category

Best Film

Nominee(s)

Won

Top Ten Films

Award

Top Ten Films

Category

Won

Best Director

Award

Best Director

Category

James Ivory

Nominee(s)

Won

Best Actress

Award

Best Actress

Category

Emma Thompson

Nominee(s)

Won

National Society of Film Critics Awards

Award

National Society of Film Critics Awards

Category

Best Actress

Nominee(s)

Won

Best Supporting Actress

Award

Best Supporting Actress

Category

Vanessa Redgrave

Nominee(s)

3rd Place

New York Film Critics Circle Awards

Award

New York Film Critics Circle Awards

Category

Best Film

Nominee(s)

Runner-up

Best Director

Award

Best Director

Category

James Ivory

Nominee(s)

Runner-up

Best Actress

Award

Best Actress

Category

Emma Thompson

Nominee(s)

Won

Political Film Society Awards

Award

Political Film Society Awards

Category

Democracy

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Producers Guild of America Awards

Award

Producers Guild of America Awards

Category

Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures

Nominee(s)

Ismail Merchant

Result

Nominated

Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards

Award

Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards

Category

Best Picture

Nominee(s)

Won

Best Actress

Award

Best Actress

Category

Emma Thompson

Nominee(s)

Won

USC Scripter Awards

Award

USC Scripter Awards

Category

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala (screenwriter); E.M. Forster (author)

Nominee(s)

Nominated

Writers Guild of America Awards

Award

Writers Guild of America Awards

Category

Best Screenplay – Based on Material Previously Produced or Published

Nominee(s)

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

Result

Nominated

Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result	Ref.
Academy Awards	Best Picture	Ismail Merchant	Nominated
	Best Director	James Ivory	Nominated
	Best Actress	Emma Thompson	Won
	Best Supporting Actress	Vanessa Redgrave	Nominated
	Best Screenplay – Based on Material Previously Produced or Published	Ruth Prawer Jhabvala	Won
	Best Art Direction	Art Direction: Luciana Arrighi; Set Decoration: Ian Whittaker	Won
	Best Cinematography	Tony Pierce-Roberts	Nominated
	Best Costume Design	Jenny Beavan and John Bright	Nominated
	Best Original Score	Richard Robbins	Nominated
American Society of Cinematographers Awards	Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases	Tony Pierce-Roberts	Nominated
Argentine Film Critics Association Awards	Best Foreign Film	James Ivory	Nominated
Bodil Awards	Best European Film	James Ivory	Won
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards	Best Actress	Emma Thompson	Won
British Academy Film Awards	Best Film	Ismail Merchant and James Ivory	Won
	Best Direction	James Ivory	Nominated
	Best Actress in a Leading Role	Emma Thompson	Won
	Best Actor in a Supporting Role	Samuel West	Nominated
	Best Actress in a Supporting Role	Helena Bonham Carter	Nominated
	Best Adapted Screenplay	Ruth Prawer Jhabvala	Nominated
	Best Cinematography	Tony Pierce-Roberts	Nominated
	Best Costume Design	Jenny Beavan and John Bright	Nominated
	Best Editing	Andrew Marcus	Nominated
	Best Make Up Artist	Christine Beveridge	Nominated
	Best Production Design	Luciana Arrighi	Nominated
British Society of Cinematographers Awards	Best Cinematography in a Theatrical Feature Film	Tony Pierce-Roberts	Won
Camerimage	Golden Frog	Tony Pierce-Roberts	Nominated
Cannes Film Festival	Palme d'Or	James Ivory	Nominated
Cannes Film Festival	45th Anniversary Prize		Won
César Awards	Best Foreign Film		Nominated
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards	Best Actress	Emma Thompson	Won
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards	Best Film		Nominated
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards	Best Actress	Emma Thompson	Won
David di Donatello Awards	Best Foreign Film	James Ivory	Nominated
	Best Foreign Actor	Anthony Hopkins	Nominated
	Best Foreign Actress	Emma Thompson	Won
Directors Guild of America Awards	Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures	James Ivory	Nominated
Evening Standard British Film Awards	Best Film	James Ivory	Won
Evening Standard British Film Awards	Best Actress	Emma Thompson (also for Peter's Friends)	Won
Golden Camera	Best International Actress	Vanessa Redgrave (also for Young Catherine)	Won
Golden Globe Awards	Best Motion Picture – Drama		Nominated
	Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama	Emma Thompson	Won
	Best Director – Motion Picture	James Ivory	Nominated
	Best Screenplay – Motion Picture	Ruth Prawer Jhabvala	Nominated
Independent Spirit Awards	Best Foreign Film		Nominated
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards	Best Actress	Emma Thompson	Won
London Film Critics Circle Awards	British Film of the Year		Won
London Film Critics Circle Awards	British Actress of the Year	Emma Thompson	Won
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards	Best Actress	Emma Thompson	Won
Nastro d'Argento	Best Foreign Director	James Ivory	Nominated

References

Tied with Emmanuelle Béart for A Heart in Winter and Tilda Swinton for Orlando.
"HOWARDS END"
https://web.archive.org/web/20171227122755/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/howards-end-0
"HOWARDS END - Festival de Cannes"
http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/films/howards-end
"British Council Film: Howards End"
http://film.britishcouncil.org/howards-end
Screen International
Building Howards End
"Sony Pictures Classics - About Us"
http://sonyclassics.com/about-us/
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2022/09/sony-pictures-classics-power-theatrical-movie-stars-made-screen-not-stream-1235126420/
'Howards End' Q&A James Ivory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vp0jtO-Os3A
Howards End Commentary by Ismail Merchant & James Ivory
Soundtrack Information /Track Listing www.soundtrack.net, accessed 2 January 2022
https://www.soundtrack.net/album/howards-end/
Biography Teddy Peiro www.allmusic.com, accessed 2 January 2022
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/teddy-peiro-mn0001826638
Piano Music of Francis Poulenc Vol #1 Nocturne #8
Merchant Ivory's English Landscape: Rooms, Views and Anglo-Saxon Attitudes
https://archive.org/details/merchantivorysen0000pymj
The Castles and Manor Houses of Cinema's Greatest Period Films
https://web.archive.org/web/20130118092938/http://www.architecturaldigest.com/ad/set-design/2013/period-movies-set-design-manors-castles-vanity-fair-jane-eyre-slideshow#slide=9
Country Life
http://www.countrylife.co.uk/culture/article/313371/Historic-Houses-president.html#part2
Movie-locations.com
https://web.archive.org/web/20171023125403/http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/h/howardsend.html
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/howards-end-review-movie-1992-1281538/
Chicago Sun-Times
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-howards-end-1992
Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide
Chicago Tribune
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-05-01-9202080722-story.html
Rotten Tomatoes
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/howards_end/
Metacritic
https://www.metacritic.com/movie/howards-end
CinemaScore
https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/
Cannes Film Festival
https://web.archive.org/web/20170210012746/http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/article/62136.html
Variety.com
https://variety.com/2016/film/news/howards-end-re-release-theaters-1201797683/
Los Angeles Times
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-01-24-ca-2356-story.html
Box Office Mojo
https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0104454/
Screen International
Screen International
"The 65th Academy Awards (1993) Nominees and Winners"
http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1993
"The ASC Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography"
https://web.archive.org/web/20110802060537/http://www.theasc.com/asc_news/awards/awards_history.php
"Bodil Prize 1993"
http://www.bodilprisen.dk/aar-for-aar/1993-2/
"BSFC Winners: 1990s"
https://bostonfilmcritics.org/past-winners-1990s/
"BAFTA Awards: Film in 1993"
http://awards.bafta.org/award/1993/film
"Best Cinematography in a Theatrical Feature Film"
https://bscine.com/media/uploads/Awards/bsc-cinematography-feature-film.pdf?v=1696018822
"CAMERIMAGE 1993"
https://camerimage.pl/en/archiwum/kronika-nagrod/camerimage-1993/
"Festival de Cannes: Howards End"
http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/6/year/1992.html
"The 1993 Caesars Ceremony"
https://www.academie-cinema.org/evenements/ceremonie-des-cesar-1993/
"1988-2013 Award Winner Archives"
https://chicagofilmcritics.org/awards-blog/archives
"Howard House"
https://www.daviddidonatello.it/motore-di-ricerca/schedasola.php?idfilm=57&annovinci=1993
"45th Annual DGA Awards"
https://www.dga.org/Awards/History/1990s/1992.aspx?value=1992
"Howards End"
https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/howards-end/
"38 Years of Nominees and Winners"
https://s3.amazonaws.com/SA_SubForm_etc/2023_SA_ALLNomineesWinners_051623.pdf
"KCFCC Award Winners – 1990-99"
https://kcfcc.org/kcfcc-award-winners-1990-99/
"The Annual 18th Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards"
http://www.lafca.net/Years/1992.php
"1992 Award Winners"
https://nationalboardofreview.org/award-years/1992/
"Past Awards"
https://nationalsocietyoffilmcritics.com/about-2/
"Awards – New York Film Critics Circle"
https://www.nyfcc.com/awards/
"1992 SEFA Awards"
https://www.sefca.net/winners#/1992
"Past Scripter Awards"
https://libraries.usc.edu/scripter/past-scripter-awards
"Awards Winners"
https://archive.today/20121205095022/http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1551
Billboard
"Howards End Blu-ray"
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Howards-End-Blu-ray/5698/
"Howards End Blu-ray Release Date December 6, 2016"
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Howards-End-Blu-ray/142539/