Review of A Passage to India (1984) by Jepa P — 22 Oct 2007

"A Passage to India" is David Lean's final film which chronicles the journey of Adela Quested to India during the time of British colonial rule. David Lean is best known for "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962), "The Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957) and "Doctor Zhivago" (1965). Given that Lean directed this film, it is not surprising that this film features sweeping scenes and an apt score that highlights the tense moments in the film.

All of the lead performers in this film are effective. Judy Davis gives an interesting performance as Adela Quested, who starts out wanting to see the "real India" but becomes increasingly enigmatic. Victor Banerjee is notable as the energetic yet at times awkwardly crass Dr. Aziz. Peggy Ashcroft delivers a fine performance as the genial but stubborn Mrs. Moore. Nigel Havers was effective at playing a snobbish man that had a personal disdain for Indian culture yet treasured the impartiality of English courts. My favorite performance was from James Fox as Henry Fielding, a man that remains level-headed throughout the film and follows his convictions despite social pressures.

The supporting performances were also notable. Michael Culver, Richard Wilson, Antonia Pemberton, Clive Swift and Anne Firbank represent the stuffy British authority well. Saeed Jaffrey and Roshan Seth were memorable as the animated Indian advocates in court. Alec Guinness has a semi-interesting but ultimately minor role as Professor Godbole.

This film starts with a deliberately paced but interesting development of the characters. It is interesting seeing Ms. Quested and Mrs. Moore attempt to interact with Indians despite the disdain for Indian culture harbored by the majority of the British characters. Just as this film started to seem overlong, the climax led to the stronger second half of the film which features a legal battle. The film was effective at showing a state of confusion after the climax and then tensions due to the extreme biases against Indians by the British. Ultimately this film is not as impressive as some of David Lean's other efforts and "Gandhi" (1982) remains a more engaging examination of the British Raj, but none the less, this is an interesting film.