3/5 Not as good as I'd hoped
  by James D. Crabtree (Guantanamo Bay, Cuba)
The movie started out very promisingly, with a lot of visuals of India and the look and feel of the 1920s, but it all just kind of goes around in circles after it gets all the characters in place. I still don't get the whole thing with the caves. Was something supernatural supposed to have happened? Is this what led to accusations and a trial? The movie fails to make it as "trial classic" as well as it scarcely delves into the proceedings before it is all over. Speaking of all over, I found myself wondering when the movie was going to be done. And when it was done I found myself wondering what, exactly, happened.

Maybe if you read the book first it makes more sense.


5/5 The "muddle" of British ruled India brought brilliantly to life
  by Susan Y. Schoonover (Boulder, CO)
A PASSAGE TO INDIA is a beautifully rendered film with important themes adapted from E.M. Forster's novel of the same name. Set in colonial India during the 1920's we see the pseudo England the British have carved out in India with their club (no native Indians allowed) complete with tea parties, bands playing European music, musicals imported from London and a general disdain for all things Asian. We also get a chance to view the traditional culture of India with festivals, open air markets and beautiful ancient ruins.

The story begins when Adela played by Judy Davis and her friend and presumed future mother-in-law Mrs. Moore arrive in India from England. Mrs. Moore is an intelligent, thoughtful woman whom at one point is described by a Hindu as an "old soul". Adela also has interest and respect for the Indian culture but she is hampered by inexperience and immaturity. Mrs. Moore's son, Ronny, is working in India as a magistrate for the British government and he displays snobbery and contempt for the native born Indians but has become quite popular among the many other British people living and ruling there. The two women meet Dr. Aziz, a nice native born doctor, who is almost pathetically eager to get to know the British and who is particularly taken by the kind and understanding Mrs. Moore. Dr. Aziz arranges a trip for himself, Mrs. Moore and Adela to some famous caves and the lives of these three are sadly changed forever during this outing.

Peggy Ashcroft does an amazing job playing the elderly Mrs. Moore whose health and happiness deteriorate while in India. Judy Davis is also quite good as Adela who may exasperate viewers but still retains their sympathy. Also very good is Indian actor Victor Banerjee playing Dr. Aziz who wears his emotions much too plainly for the British. Famed actor Alec Guinness is totally miscast as a Hindu Brahmin professor as he physically is so obviously not of Indian descent and the part is never really fully developed. On the whole, though, this is a wonderful movie and I am ashamed to admit I have never read the book but plan to remedy that in my next trip to the library.


4/5 Even the British are ashamed of their behavior?
  by R. Bagula (Lakeside, Ca United States)
This movie is sort of an Indian To Kill a Mockingbird (2-Disc Slimcase Set) [DVD] with a twist.
A journey to the caves becomes a disaster in which a well respected and educated Indian ( Islamic) doctor is accused of rape.
You get an impression that the English gentleman in this movie are mostly very bigoted fools? On would like to believe that the British have grown out of being be-knighted snobs with the heads in an impossible place,
but after seeing a British version of Oklahoma lately,
I still rather doubt it? If we should see a Bernard Shaw revival, then we might have some hope.

3/5 Not David Lean's Best
  by Harry F. Benson
As a huge fan of David Lean's this movie is probably the weakest of his creations. As usual it has all the grand panoramic views making it a visual treat but the plot seems disjointed and some of the actions of the characters are inexplicable. Compared to modern day movies though it beats practically all of them. I would recommend purchasing it and viewing it with the family.

5/5 Classic Film with Great Actors
  by Randal J. Batty (Aliso Viejo, CA USA)
Buy it, rent it, but watch it. It's a masterpiece of filmmaking -- one of David Lean's best efforts. Judy Davis plays a conflicted British tourist; nevertheless, I instantly fell in love with her (and still carry a torch). I've watched this film dozens of times, and it never fails to entertain me. I always find some new discovery or nuance that I hadn't noticed previously. Unlike so many films, you actually care about these characters and what happens to them. I would probably place this movie in my top ten best films ever made.