| The Jewel In The Crown - The Complete Series [1984] | ![The Jewel In The Crown - The Complete Series [1984]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/612NS12XX0L._SL160_.jpg)
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| Actors: Charles Dance, Art Malik, Peggy Ashcroft, Geraldine James, Frederick Treves
Studio: ITV DVD
Category: DVD
List Price: £39.99
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Avg. Customer Rating:   (11 reviews)
Sales Rank: 673
Format: Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Media: DVD
Running Time: 778 minutes
Number Of Items: 4
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 5.6 x 1.1
EAN: 5037115074133
ASIN: B00075141W
Release Date: April 18, 2005
Theatrical Release Date: 1984
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 An absolute delight June 2, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
If you are interested in India or Indian history, or if you like Passage to India, you will love this. The atmosphere and historical feel is terrific.
Credit for the subtle story, in which the characters are complex with complex flaws, goes mostly to the author but also to the film for resisting the temptation to dumb it down.
But the best thing is surely the acting. I often watch a film and feel that one or two parts are perfectly played and the others are indifferent. In Jewel in the Crown I had that feeling with virtually all, if not all, the important parts. I particularly liked Tim Piggot Smith who was unsympathetic at first but by the end was almost a tragihero.
The best TV drama ever May 19, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
And I haven't given that title lightly. I think it's even better than Brideshead Revisited. I can't add much to the pretty comprehensive reviews below (apart from mr sour grapes two stars). Having not read the books first, I wouldn't have known any of the flaws in its adaptation, and I would say that everything, from the casting, to the costumes, the atmosphere, the subtle characterisation, the locations, need I go on? is perfect. One reviewer doesn't like Susan Wooldridge's depiction of Daphne Manners. Why? She has a lovely sort of old fashioned face, sometimes pretty, sometimes not at all, that fits the time perfectly. Watch her development of the character closely. The scenes were not all shot in chronological order or even on the same continent so this cannot have been easy. She moves cleverly, and subtly, from a socially and physically, awkward, yet brave, young woman who just won't accept the common attitude of the British towards Indians, through anger and despair, to a calm, heartbreaking acceptance of a terrible situation. And this goes for every character, many of whom disintegrate in different ways as the British rule, and indeed the handover of power, also slide into chaos. I watched every episode, and repeat, in 1984 and was mesmerised throughout. It is a haunting story, and there aren't any happy endings, but it will live with you for ever.
One of television's finest achievements, depicting the end of an era May 4, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
'The Raj Quartet' by Paul Scott is one of the finest and most underrated pieces of literature of the twentieth century. The scope and sweep of this epic story is enough to rival Leo Tolstoy's 'War and Peace', particularly in the way it moves so effortlessly from panoramic to personal drama. Scott masterfully interweaves a gripping, incredibly complex narrative with exquisitely fine characterisations and an extraordinarily vivid portrait of India. None of Scott's huge cast of characters - however small their part - is anything less than three-dimensional and there is scarcely a false note to be found.
The story chronicles the decline and fall of British India - the Raj - culminating in the granting of Indian Independence in 1947. Scott's main objective was to show that by the time World War Two began, the British had no option but to 'quit' India and leave it 'to God or anarchy'. 'The Raj Quartet' is first and foremost an historical chronicle and, consequently, every single event and character is used to convey this and other subtle messages and to illustrate how the Raj had reached a point of no return. The most tragic aspect of the story is that every character who ignores this situation or attempts to rectify it ultimately becomes a casualty of this great 'divorce' between Britain and India.
The two most important characters are Hari Kumar and Ronald Merrick. Kumar comes from an Indian family but his ambitious father takes him to England at the age of two and sends him to a top public school, in the hope that he will fulfil the Raj's aim in ruling India - to westernise and 'civilise' its inhabitants. However, before his education is completed he is left destitute and forced to return to his native land. Although accepted in England, back in India he finds himself an outcast -- too British for the Indians; too Indian for the British. Ronald Merrick comes from a poor background, but in India he is able to climb up the ladder and become one of the 'ruling' class. However, in order to compensate for his own insecurities, he becomes the very worst type of colonialist - brutal, racist and sadistic. Both characters are created to show the worst outcome of British India.
This fourteen-part adaptation, entitled 'The Jewel in the Crown' and originally transmitted in 1984, is astounding in its attention to detail of every kind. Ken Taylor's screenplay is so tightly written and astonishing in the way it manages to translate these books into a coherent, accessible drama, but at the same time, never straying from the spirit of the original. The pace is flawless; measured, yet utterly engrossing and filled with moments of both humour and heartbreaking pathos.
Christopher Morahan and Jim O'Brien's joint direction is splendid, making full use of India's spectacular locations. There are some truly beautiful moments; none more so than the very last shot which is unforgettable. Interspersed throughout is some marvellous newsreel footage, which proves fascinating. George Fenton's music is wonderful - combining both the British and the Indian, as well as always complementing the drama and never dominating it, achieving just the right balance. The sets, costumes and make up are all top notch and the entire atmosphere is conjured up with such consistently scrupulous authenticity that watching it really is like escaping into the almost alien world of 1940s' India.
The casting is little short of inspired and the length of the scenes allows the players to develop their characters slowly, gradually peeling away layer by layer. Every single actor/actress appears to connect with and understand their character to such an amazing degree and the performances are uniformly impressive and well-judged, hitting just the right note in every case. As the central protagonist Ronald Merrick - the one character to appear in all four of the books and who links everyone else together - Tim Pigott-Smith is compelling. He breathes life into a character that is only ever seen through the eyes of other people. Geraldine James is particularly good in the complex role of Sarah Layton - one of the most challenging parts - playing her with tremendous subtlety and capturing her 'watchful' quality. Charles Dance simply exudes charisma as Guy Perron, in his star-making role. Art Malik is outstanding as Hari Kumar. He makes the viewer feel the perpetually insurmountable plight of the young man so intensely. Susan Wooldridge beautifully plays the part of Daphne Manners, imbuing the character with remarkable courage and dignity. The great Peggy Ashcroft as Barbie Batchelor is absolutely superb, delivering one of the most memorable performances ever to grace the small screen.
And that is just the leads! There are many, many more excellent performances, with Judy Parfitt as Mildred Layton, Wendy Morgan as Susan Layton - although she should be dark, to provide more of a contrast with James' Sarah - and the scene-stealing Eric Porter as Count Dmitri Bronowsky being particular standouts. However, practically everyone leaves a vivid impression - Rosemary Leach, Nicholas Le Prevost, Derrick Branche, Nicholas Farrell, Zohra Segal, Matyelok Gibbs, Fabia Drake, Rachel Kempson, Warren Clarke, Zia Moyheddin, Frederick Treves - right down to those in the smallest roles, such as Janet Henfrey, Stuart Wilson and Peter Jeffrey.
This is impeccable in every way, dare I say flawless. One of the best television drama serials ever made.
Final verdict: 10/10
 Brilliant British drama January 10, 2007
26 out of 26 found this review helpful
This is an emotionally absorbing, interesting, brilliantly acted and brilliantly directed T.V series. The start is breathtaking - Daphne Manners is enchanting and Hari Kumar is perfectly acted by the very attractive Art Malik.
The danger for this show was when, relatively near the start, both Hari and Daphne effectively vanish from the screen. Having become attached to these characters it is an act of will to continue watching. It is a testement to the series that it manages to make us do this. Although the few episodes following with Sarah and her family are not as absorbing and the storyline gets a little difficult to follow at times, the narrative soon picks up again as the central characters of Dimitri, Ahmed Kasim and Guy Peron (Charles Dance) are introduced. Together, they add a lighter touch and enable a connection with the viewer to be made once more.
Of course, the one constant throughout all 14 episodes is Merrick (Tim Piggot Smith). The character disintegration is brilliantly realised as the brief glimses of humanity appear less and less. The continuing motifs of the bridge, fire and the butterflies caught in the web are well handled and, cleverly, Daphne and Hari are never really forgotten. Their shadow pervades the whole 14 episodes, even when they don't appear.
This programme chronicles the tradgedy of India through the fates of its many characters. Its great success is that, throughout the whole epic series, we never stop caring about each individual character. The emotional impact of the last episode is as strong as the second.
Miss manners is a minger June 14, 2006
8 out of 33 found this review helpful
i brought this box set as a joke, but have fallen in love with it. I watched one episode a night and ened up totally addicted. the first episode is a little hard to watch due to the over the top english accents and the bad acting by miss manners but dont let this put you off as you will soon grow to love it. Myself, my sisters and my mum have all watched it loved it and will be watching it again. if you love anything like bleak house this is one for you
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