Quills
“Meet the Marquis de Sade. The pleasure is all his.”
Synopsis
In early 19th-century France, the Marquis de Sade is confined to an asylum where his forbidden writings continue to circulate beyond its walls. As the authorities tighten control, a clash unfolds between the Marquis’ unyielding imagination, the reformist ideals of the Abbé in charge, and the repressive measures of a doctor sent to silence him. Desire, power, and censorship collide in a battle over freedom of expression.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2006-10-08
Top Cast
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Geoffrey Rush
Marquis de Sade
Kate Winslet
Madeleine LeClerc
Joaquin Phoenix
Abbe du Coulmier
Michael Caine
Dr. Royer-Collard
Billie Whitelaw
Madame LeClerc
Patrick Malahide
Delbené
Amelia Warner
Simone
Jane Menelaus
Renee Pelagie
Stephen Moyer
Prouix
Tony Pritchard
Valcour
Michael Jenn
Cleante
Danny Babington
Pitou
George Antoni
Dauphin
Stephen Marcus
Bouchon
Elizabeth Berrington
Charlotte
Edward Tudor-Pole
Franval
Harry Jones
Orvolle
Bridget McConnell
Madame Bougival
Release History & Theatrical Window
Telluride Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
November 22, 2000
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$13.5M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$18M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
1.33x
+$4.5M net gain
Theatrical Status
Budget Return
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Philip Kaufman
- Screenplay & Story
- Doug Wright
- Original Score
- Stephen Warbeck
- Original Title
- Quills
- Country of Origin
- Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 2h 4m
- Production Budget
- $13.5M
- Worldwide Gross
- $18M
- Production Studios
- Fox Searchlight Pictures, Industry Entertainment Partners, Walrus & Associates, Hollywood Partners
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Philip Kaufman
Doug Wright, Marquis de Sade
Stephen Warbeck
Rogier Stoffers
Peter Boyle
Julia Chasman, Des McAnuff, Peter Kaufman, Nick Wechsler, Sandra Schulberg
Department Leadership Roster
Philip Kaufman
Director
Rogier Stoffers
Director of Photography
Julia Chasman
Producer
Stephen Warbeck
Original Music Composer
Doug Wright
Screenplay
Peter Boyle
Editor
Jacqueline West
Costume Design
Martin Childs
Production Design
Peter Kaufman
Producer
Nick Wechsler
Producer
Jim Dowdall
Stunt Coordinator
Nrinder Dhudwar
Stunt Coordinator
Richard Hammatt
Stunt Coordinator
Andy Bradford
Stunt Coordinator
Tim Field
Visual Effects Supervisor
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.
Interdit aux moins de 12 ans — 12+ only.
Suitable only for adults 18 years and over.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Quills.
Featured In Curated Collections
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Frequently Asked Questions About Quills
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Quills about?
In early 19th-century France, the Marquis de Sade is confined to an asylum where his forbidden writings continue to circulate beyond its walls. As the authorities tighten control, a clash unfolds between the Marquis’ unyielding imagination, the reformist ideals of the Abbé in charge, and the repressive measures of a doctor sent to silence him. Desire, power, and censorship collide in a battle over freedom of expression.
Who directed Quills?
Quills was directed by Philip Kaufman.
Who stars in Quills?
The principal cast of Quills includes Geoffrey Rush, Kate Winslet, Joaquin Phoenix, Michael Caine, Billie Whitelaw.
When was Quills released and how long is it?
Quills was released in 2000 with a total runtime of 2h 4m.
What was the box office and production budget of Quills?
Quills had a reported production budget of $13.5M and grossed $18M at the worldwide box office (1.33 return on budget, classified as a budget recovered).
Who composed the musical score for Quills?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Quills was composed by Stephen Warbeck.
Is Quills based on a book or true story?
Quills is adapted from the following source material: Novel: "Marquis de Sade".
What is the age rating and content advisory for Quills?
Quills holds official age classifications: DE: 16 (FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.); FR: 12 (Interdit aux moins de 12 ans — 12+ only.); GB: 18 (Suitable only for adults 18 years and over.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).