A Passage To India

David Lean, UK 1984, 163 minutes

In the 1920s, a young Englishwoman Adela Quested (Judy Davis) travels to India accompanied by her fiancee's mother Mrs. Moore (Peggy Ashcroft) to visit her fiancee Ronnie (Nigel Havers). Appalled by the racism and narrow mindedness of the British colonial community Adela and Mrs. Moore attempt to discover the `real India' by meeting the actual Indians themselves such as Dr. Aziz (Victor Bannerjee). However after a trip to the Marabar caves Adela accuses Aziz of raping her, leading to a trial revealing the full extent of racial tensions.

Adapted from the novel by E. M. Forster, David Lean's A Passage To India is a truly excellent piece of film-making proving that even in old age and after a fourteen year break Lean could still deliver the goods. of course there are all the old Lean hallmarks. The photography is amazing with lots of wonderful vistas of spectacular scenery such as the Marabar caves sequence. The acting naturally involves the cream of British thespianity with superb performances by all except perhaps Alec Guinness who was somewhat miscast as Professor Godbole. Lean's film also brilliantly captures the atmosphere of the Raj society - the contemptuous racism of colonial British who have no wish to comprehend the mysticism and wonders of the subcontinent and equally the brewing resentment of the Indians who are quite prepared to take Aziz as their champion, no questions asked, just because he seems to be an obvious victim of British rule. Lean also managed to infuse into his film with a great sense of continuity. A Passage To India really flows with the mounting tension and Adela's deepening neurotic crisis reflected in the weather and society around her.

And then there's the elephant. It may be unable to fly but as everyone knows, Indian elephants are the ones that are not aerially gifted as opposed to African elephants which...

"A beautiful and evocative film." - Virgin

Review by Alicia Forsyth
Taken from EUFS Programme 1996-97