A Passage to India (1984)
Genre: Drama / History
Duration: 163 minuten
Country:
United Kingdom / United States
Directed by: David Lean
Stars: Judy Davis, Victor Banerjee and Peggy Ashcroft
IMDb score:
7,3 (23.202)
Releasedate: 14 December 1984
A Passage to India plot
"David Lean, the Director of "Doctor Zhivago", "Lawrence of Arabia" and "The Bridge on the River Kwai", invites you on . ."
British Adela goes to colonial India to visit her boyfriend and marry him. She is one of the few Britons interested in the indigenous population. When she goes on a picnic with Aziz from India, she accuses him of rape.
Actors and actresses
Adela Quested
Dr. Aziz H. Ahmed
Mrs. Moore
Richard Fielding
Professor Godbole
Ronny Heaslop
Mr. Turton
Mrs. Turton
Major McBryde
Mahmoud Ali
Reviews & comments
JJ_D
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- 3831 messages
- 1358 votes
Whipped pathos, which is nothing compared to the mysterious atmosphere, the complexity of the interpersonal relationships and the intensity of the larger social framework, as set out in the book. As if a three-dimensional study is pushed into a 2D straitjacket: told clearly and skillfully, but without the flesh and blood that makes a person human, without the elusive, contradictory, capricious character traits that make reality what it is. Take Victor Banerjee, for example, who as a hyperkinetic, unstable Dr. Aziz runs across the screen. Not to mention Peggy Ashcroft: putting your finger on the pulse, you say? Anyway, at the book I shivered, I sympathized, and above all, yes, believe it or not: laughed. Put the film next to that, and you have, um, well, an infusion?
2.5*
Translated from Dutch · View original
Filmkriebel
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- 10133 messages
- 4741 votes
In times of colonialism, it is difficult to bridge cultural and racial differences because there is no ground of equality. The author EM Forster clearly saw beyond his contemporaries and is critical of the racial segregation introduced by the British. He illustrates this with a story about a woman who, during a bizarre moment in which she loses consciousness with open eyes, accuses an Indian friend (a Muslim) of assault during a tourist visit to ancient caves.
The ensuing process exposes all the tensions that existed between the British and the Indians. It took one woman to rock everything. 
If all this doesn't mean much to you, then there is still the splendor of India shot incredibly beautifully. In one scene we see the young Miss Quested cycling through nature where she is impressed by ancient Indian sculpture. It could very well be that afterwards in that cave she was mentally completely overwhelmed by the culture shock, to the point of irrationality.
What I thought of it: a beautiful atmospheric spectacle film by veteran David Lean, which let me dream away in an exotic India. I'm glad this movie is so well received.
Translated from Dutch · View original
T.O.
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- 2462 messages
- 2846 votes
I found Lean's adaptation of Doctor Zhivago a bit too elongated and flat at times, but that applies even more to this Passage to India. He really doesn't let anyone of the cast excel; Ashcroft comes closest. Guinness with his blackface-esque role is rather curious, especially now.
That said, a small three hours of classical cinema with beautiful music and pictures is never wrong. However, the film could have used a little more focus and intensity.
In terms of themes, Forster's story reminded me here and there of the work of Multatuli and Couperus on the Dutch East Indies.
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