Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

4 1/2 STARS --- LONG AWAITED U.S. RELEASE OF THE U.K. ANNIVERSARY REMASTERED EDITION FROM 2005 (WITH IMPROVED PICTURE AND ENGLISH SDH SUBTITLES) NOTE: THIS SERIES IS NOT FOR EVERYONE DESPITE ITS EXCELLENCE (see my notes further down) INTRO: This landmark Granada TV production was spurred by the early 1980's resurgence of interest in Britain for the Raj(rule) in India and former days of Empire. It is based on the four volume Raj Quarted by Paul Scott. Rather than focusing on the romantic notions of glory past, this show delves into the turmoil of the independence movement and the ultimate division of the country (India/Pakistan). It takes a somewhat more critical eye of the Raj. We see mainly through the lens of individual lives of the protagonists, both metaphorically and literally, as they tread water in the rising tide of violent change. THE PLOT (no spoilers): Unlike the books, the TV series pretty much follows chronological order. It begins in 1942 with Daphne Manners, who has lost her family in Britain. She arrives in India to be with her relative Lady Manners, but actually lives with Lady Chatterjee (a Rajput Princess). Daphne befriends another displaced person Hari Kumar, who is ethnically Indian, but raised in Britain and educated at prestigious Chillingborough (called a public school, but in American terms it's actually a private school, and one of the very best). Hari considers himself English and feels lost in his new life in India. A crime shatters their life and Hari is falsely accused along with some of his friends, despite testimony from Daphne proclaiming his innocence. The charges are brought by the local Police Superintendent Ronald Merrick, who knows Hari is innocent, yet harbors ill will as a rival for Daphne's affections. The middleclass Merrick is also resentful of Hari's privileged education and has a sadistic inner nature. This false accusation becomes one element adding fuel to the independence movement and a rallying cry for radicals. However, this issue also moves somewhat to the back of the viewers consciousness as the series focuses on new characters and events that still have some relationship to the originals. Merrick is the closest thing to a central character as he interacts with the Layton family. The story focuses more on Sarah Layton the rest of the way. Again, rivalries come into play among many suitors and the march continues to the ever unraveling of Merrick's treachery and the ultimate departure of the Raj. All this is done against the backdrop of Ghandi's Quit India movement (anti Raj), the Japanese threat during WWII, and the Muslim-Hindu violence tearing India into separate nations. SYMBOLISMS AND THEMES: This TV series is highly symbolic and metaphorical. We don't see the macro events of the country in progress so much as the effect it has on the numerous protagonists. Individual lives are used as a microcosm to illustrate what is happening in the country as a whole. The older upper class generation are staunched in their ways, and in many respects their bigotry. The younger generation are adapting and breaking the code, but become isolated as they cross boundaries. Some older middleclass seem to question their faith and if they have done right. There is plenty of self loathing and identity crisis, much as the country itself seeks to understand it's new identity. There are visual metaphors also, like the elderly missionary school teacher Miss Batchelor watches vultures circling the "Parsi Towers" where dead are temporarily taken to be devoured by the vultures before burial (Zoroastrian thing). Or the empty Governor's summer home, perched high in the hills and hinting of former glory. WHY SOME MAY NOT ENJOY THIS SHOW: Though this is a widely acclaimed series with a strong fan base, I want to be fair to some audiences as they read the expected overwhelmingly positive reviews. The show is outstanding for it's meticulous construction, complicated sub plots and masterful character development. However, many of those central characters are not that sympathetic (while others you will fall in love with). The meticulous construction means that the story will plod very slowly to some viewers, particularly younger crowds not used to this kind of story. Even some strong fans of the show will admit it slows heavily in the middle to late episodes before the rousing end. AUDIENCE APPROPRIATENESS AND CONTENT: I make no judgments and leave it to each family to decide. The length and detail of the show make it more of an adult program and difficult for young attention spans anyway. There is some brief male nudity (mainly from behind) during interrogation scenes. The violence is mainly in the periphery of the audiences' view as we see the aftermath of various events (including blood and death). Scenes of intimacy don't really show anything. Questions of sexuality are part of the story at some junctures. Breaking taboos, departing from social mores, or crossing lines is part of the story, but treaded very lightly by today's standards. Not really shocking. ACCOLADES: The story is so diverse that there are many leading actors. In fact, this program took up all of the Bafta nominations for leading actress with Peggy Ashcroft taking honors. Tim Pigott-Smith won leading actor as well. In 2000, the British Film Institute named Jewel in the Crown number 22 of the 100 greatest British TV programs of all time. ANNIVERSARY REMASTER DVD: This re-mastered version has been available for quite a long time in the UK (2005). I have no idea why it took so long for the U.S. release, but it's usually a licensing thing. The picture quality and colors are much improved and includes the addition of English SDH subtitles that have long been a complaint of the previous US release. This is still a DVD release of a fairly old program. The improvements are notable, but obviously not Blu Ray reference quality. It is worth the upgrade if you don't already have the UK release. FINAL THOUGHTS: I mentioned the excellent performances. It represents a move away from the more melodramatic style of stage acting in the 70's to a more natural style seen now. This helps the program age quite well. Whether you can tolerate the meticulous pace or not, it's hard to deny the masterful production of a great work. The historical context and ability to express the personality of the Raj demise through personalities of the characters was quite exceptional. I don't think I could watch it over and over, though I am sure others can. I still give it my highest recommendation within the context of what I described.