The Sleeping Dictionary movie poster

The Sleeping Dictionary

2003 · 1h 49m · Released

R Drama, Romance

In the 1930s, British officer John Truscott journeys to a remote village in colonial Malaysia to educate and Westernize the local Iban population. There, he's introduced to the lovely Selima. In keeping with tradition, Selima is assigned to sleep with Truscott and teach him the native language and customs. But when they fall in love, both colonists and natives object to their plans to marry.

Ratings

Based on audience scores
6.6 The Movie Database
N/A IMDb
N/A Rotten Tomatoes
N/A Metacritic

Where to stream The Sleeping Dictionary

Not on a subscription service in the United States yet. Rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.

Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At Home

Trailer

Sleeping Dictionary

Top cast and crew

Guy Jenkin Director
Jessica Alba Selima
Brenda Blethyn Aggie
Hugh Dancy John Truscott
Bob Hoskins Henry Bullard
Junix Inocian Famous
MM Mano Maniam Policeman
K.K. Moggie Tipong
Emily Mortimer Cecil
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Frequently asked questions about The Sleeping Dictionary

Where can I watch The Sleeping Dictionary in the United States?

The Sleeping Dictionary is not on a subscription streaming service in the United States at the moment, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. Availability is provided by JustWatch and can change over time.

What are the ratings for The Sleeping Dictionary?

The Sleeping Dictionary scores 6.6 on The Movie Database.

Who stars in The Sleeping Dictionary?

The Sleeping Dictionary stars Jessica Alba, Brenda Blethyn, Hugh Dancy, Bob Hoskins, and Junix Inocian. Guy Jenkin is the director.

How long is The Sleeping Dictionary?

The Sleeping Dictionary runs 1h 49m (109 minutes).

When did The Sleeping Dictionary come out?

The Sleeping Dictionary was released on January 31, 2003.

Which studio made The Sleeping Dictionary?

The Sleeping Dictionary was produced by Fine Line Features, Hat Trick Productions, and Katira Productions in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

What was the budget for The Sleeping Dictionary?

The Sleeping Dictionary was made on a budget of $12,000,000.

How much did The Sleeping Dictionary make at the box office?

The Sleeping Dictionary grossed $57,524 worldwide, against a budget of $12,000,000.

Ratings and streaming availability are aggregated from third-party sources; metadata from The Movie Database (TMDB), streaming data from JustWatch. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Streaming availability checked September 2026.

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