The Jewel in the Crown
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Movie Reviews of The Jewel in the Crown
Movie Review: EPIC TALE OF THE LAST DAYS OF THE RAJ
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently re-viewed the DVD set of The Jewel in the Crown and was impressed by the quality of the acting and the authenticity of the settings. Having been born in Calcutta and living there for the first five years of my life in a Foreign Office compound of the British government, I can still remember the awful poverty and people, people, people everywhere. This is well brought out in this adaptation. I dont think it will ever be bettered.
The distillation of the authors plot is well-thought out by the screenplay and the acting by ALL concerned is superlative. Especially to be noted are Peggy Ashcroft, Art Malik, and Tim Piggott-Smith. All of the rest of the characters - be they major or minor - are ideally cast and there is not a false not anywhere.
Do yourself a favour and rent or buy this series and luxuriate in the last days of the British Raj as superbly rendered by Granada Television.
Timothy Wingate OTTAWA CANADA
Movie Review: A mere two 5 Stars
A few years ago, seeing an advertisement for a low cost tour package of London and a number of other locations in UK, I very nearly took advantage of its great price.While I was mulling over the idea, one of the things that came into my head was how much I would enjoy a side trip to visit Sarah Layton, whose location is revealed in "Staying On", another DVD people who loved the Jewel should find and watch. It was only some hours later that I remembered that Sarah was a fictional character, so real did those people who lived in the Jewel In The Crown become to me, through the genius of Paul Scott's Raj Quartet and the superlative production of the film on these disks.
I didn't take the trip, sadly, and, somehow, it would probably have left me somewhat unfulfilled, without Sarah there.
For me, there never has been nor ever will be a production to match this true Jewel. Would that American films could be one tenth so great!
Movie Review: Deep, Dramatic History
Summary: 5 Stars
The Jewel in the Crown depicts the last few years of the Raj, Britain's Indian Empire, through the lives of a few characters and families. Central to the story is the fate of Hari Kumar, a British-educated Indian who has the temerity to fall in love with Daphne Manners, a British girl who is new to India and doesn't understand or accept the racial mores of the Raj. Although Daphne and Hari virtually disappear after the first couple of episodes, their story has a huge impact on the other main characters: Ronald Merrick, the policeman who thought he loved Daphne, the Leyton family, with whom Merrick took up, Ahmed Kasim the secular Muslim, and countless others.
The story can be a bit confusing if you aren't too familiar with the story of India's move towards independence, but the main love story and its attendant sub-connections are pretty clear, and the ending is quite satisfying. Above all, the scenery and the background music are entrancing.
Movie Review: Jewel In the Crown - A Masterpiece Theater Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
After recently reading the Raj Quartet, I wanted to see again the Masterpiece theater production from the 70's. At the time it originally aired I missed the first crucial episode, and then occassionally another, and so always felt like I didn't know who was who. Yet I still just loved this amazing, detailed period piece, a representation of life and politics in India in the 30's and 40's, the final years of England's rule.
This show has held up well, with fabulous acting, sets and script. The quality of the picture isn't as crisp as it might be, but still I have an eager group of friends who watch it with me. At about 15 hours we are taking our time, but I just can't wait to watch the next episode. Merrick, the man you love to hate! It's still a gripping and rewarding tale.
Movie Review: Putting the record straight ...
Summary: 5 Stars
A number of reviewers have said that this is a BBC production. It wasn't.It was produced (like Brideshead Revisited) by Granada Television and comes from a golden period in British TV programme making where there was a genuine rivalry to make quality TV programmes between the BBC and other independent companies which not only entertain but also educate.
The Jewel in the Crown has to be one of the best TV series ever made anywhere. The massive scope of the story and the fantastic acting and filming make the series immortal. Add to that the period setting and it doesn't age at all.
Just a shame us Brits have to buy the DVD version from the US because they can't be bothered to produce it over this side of the pond!!!
Two words of advice "BUY IT"