Ignore the poor reviews. This is an exquisite piece of work, possibly the best British drama series ever. I have watched this five or six times since it was first aired in 1984 and every time it's fresh. The casting is impeccable. The TV series launched the careers of Charles Dance, Tim Pigott-Smith, Art Malik and Geraldine James but also featured established actors of the day such as Eric Porter, Judy Parfitt and the legendary Peggy Ashcroft. (The latter's performance is a master class in simple - or seemingly simple - truthful acting - our hearts bleed for her character, Barbie. Peggy Ashcroft preferred theatre so there is not that much of her recorded on film. This is the very best of her recorded work and should, and will be, treasured).
Of course in 2020 when I'm writing this review we are now well used to extensive and beautifully made HBO TV series but in 1984 Jewel in the Crown at 13 episodes was a rarity. Brideshead Revisited was released three years earlier in 11 episodes but such productions were rare - we were used to 6 episodes at most.
But Jewel in the Crown was a true gem. Somehow Ken Taylor for Granada TV managed to condense Paul Scott's Raj quartet of four lengthy novels into 13 one hour episodes and Christopher Morahan and Jim O'Brien directed the impeccable cast with perfect pace and care. The result is wonderful and captures the turbulent time in India's history perfectly. We learn so much of the troubles of India in the last few years of British rule. The series is presented as a composite of interlocking stories and characters revealing the collapse of the British Raj from 1942-1947 just prior to the independence of India. It also reveals the snobbery and sense of entitlement of the British which today makes us feel uncomfortable.
Now with another lockdown looming I think it might be time to read the original novels.
Review of The Jewel in the Crown
