Lord Mountbatten - The Last Viceroy
by Tom Clegg
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Janet Suzman, John Rolfe, Patrick Allen, Vladek Sheybal, Wendy HillerDirector: Tom Clegg
Brand: Acorn
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0
Format: Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 306 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-04-11
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Acorn Media
Movie Reviews of Lord Mountbatten - The Last Viceroy
Movie Review: Eye-filling and wonderfully layered.
Summary: 5 Stars
For those who like historical narrative and particularly films about the Raj, this will be a very welcome addition to your film collection. Superbly scripted, with intelligent dialogue and meticulous attention to visual detail, "The Last Viceroy" is a fascinating mini-series. My only regret is that it wasn't several hours longer.
Shot in India, England and Sri Lanka, the art direction is eyefilling and wonderfully layered; I have watched this series at least a half dozen times, and each time I discovered new details that added to my appreciation.. Direction, cinematography and editing smoothly engage the viewer in the story and match what we have come to expect from the finest in British television and filmmaking. Although "Jewel in the Crown" was much longer and more detailed in regard to the background of both the Raj and the events of Indian Independence, I prefer "The Last Viceroy" because it made better use of textured characters to create empathy for the human dilemmas implicit in this complex series of events.
Arguments that the series fails to represent all of the complicated viewpoints and actualities of the events really seem beside the point. First, because it does not purport to be a documentary; it's a narrative interpretation of both character and events and takes some literary license with both. and, second, because it's just such a fascinating story. One can always savage any novel or bio-pic because it doesn't have perfect alignment with "factual" research, whether that research is the product of six months investigation or a lifetime of pouring over historical documents. In actuality all research is interpretive--no matter what form it takes--this series is British-produced, and offers one way to tell the story; surely any thoughtful viewer will recognize that and assume there are other viewpoints. There are many interesting and well-produced Indian films that present other (and, one might add, equally diverse) overviews of the struggle for independence. This is one side of the story, and it is exceptionally well done.
One strong point in its favor (even beyond the intelligence of the script and the artistic execution of the production value), is the richness of Janet Suzman's portrayal of Lady Mountbatten. This is as much her story as it is his, and the script strongly emphasizes that fact. Edwina Mountbatten was a complex woman, born into great wealth and privilege, whose early life gave little indication of the extraordinary strength and social compassion she would display during and after the events of World War II. She came into her own during the years in Asia, and her contributions to social welfare programs and refugee relief were in no small measure responsible for the Mountbattens' collective reputation in post-war Burma and the final days of the Raj in India.
As to Lady Mountbatten's relationship with Nehru, it is hard to believe that someone could watch "The Last Viceroy" and not come away with the realization that these two had had a passionate exchange of love. Other books and films may contradict that premise, but the script and actors' presentation in this mini series clearly presents them as lovers, even though no scenes of sexual liaison are shown. Watch Suzman's face and her body language in her scenes with Richardson--surely the portrayal of a woman who has intimate knowledge of this man,
The music makes enormous contribution to both the overall mood of the piece and to the impact of individual scenes. The script gives density of character and detail without becoming ponderous, and the director balances small details of human emotion against the pageantry of historical events; he captures both the enormity of crowd scenes and the intimacy of drawing conversations with equal grace.
It startles me that some reviewers on this site have downgraded the acting; it makes me think we were watching different versions, because Williamson, Suzman and Richardson provide passion, nuance and depth to their respective characters that is as good as one could ask for.
This dvd is a treasured item in my collection. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical drama, challenging scripts, fine production values and excellent acting. Even if you have little knowledge of the Raj, you can appreciate a good story well-told.
Summary of Lord Mountbatten - The Last Viceroy
A great grandson of Queen Victoria, nephew of the Tsar, and cousin of the Prince of Wales, Lord Louis Mountbatten had proven his mettle as Supreme Allied Commander in Southeast Asia during World War II. But his toughest mission came after the war, when British Prime Minister Attlee tapped Mountbatten to oversee India?s transition to self-rule.This Emmy®-winning Masterpiece Theatre classic portrays the human drama behind the history. As blood runs in the streets, Mountbatten (Nicol Williamson) becomes the go-between for the charismatic leaders at the heart of the struggle: the Congress Party?s Pandit Nehru (Ian Richardson) and Sardar Patel (A.K. Hangal), the Muslim League?s Ali Jinnah (Vladek Sheybal), and the father of independent India, Mahatma Gandhi (Sam Dastor). The task is daunting, but the blue-blooded Englishman and his compassionate wife (Janet Suzman) soldier on, ending 200 years of British rule in India.
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