The Far Pavilions (1984– )

Story of forbidden love in 1800's India set against the revolution for India's freedom from England.

Stars:

Ben Cross, Amy Irving, Christopher Lee

6 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Ben Cross	...	Ash (3 episodes, 1984)
Amy Irving	...	Anjuli (3 episodes, 1984)
Christopher Lee	...	Kaka-ji Rao (3 episodes, 1984)
Robert Hardy	...	The Commandant (3 episodes, 1984)
Rossano Brazzi	...	The Rana of Bhithor (3 episodes, 1984)
Saeed Jaffrey	...	Biju Ram (3 episodes, 1984)
Sneh Gupta	...	Shushila (3 episodes, 1984)
Omar Sharif	...	Koda Dad (3 episodes, 1984)
Shayur Mehta	...	Prince Jhoti (3 episodes, 1984)
Parikshat Sahni	...	Mulraj (3 episodes, 1984)
Benedict Taylor	...	Wally (2 episodes, 1984)
John Gielgud	...	Cavagnari (2 episodes, 1984)
Jennifer Kendal	...	Mrs. Viccary (2 episodes, 1984)
Felicity Dean	...	Belinda Harlowe (2 episodes, 1984)
Peter Arne	...	The General (2 episodes, 1984)
Caterina Boratto	...	Mrs. Chiverton (2 episodes, 1984)
Michael Cochrane	...	Crimpley (2 episodes, 1984)
Rupert Everett	...	George Garforth (2 episodes, 1984)
John Forbes-Robertson	...	Squadron Commander (2 episodes, 1984)
Clive Francis	...	Kelly (2 episodes, 1984)
Rupert Frazer	...	Wigram Battye (2 episodes, 1984)
William Gaunt	...	Commissioner (2 episodes, 1984)
Tanveer Ghani	...	Gul Baz (2 episodes, 1984)
Constantine Gregory	...	Porson (2 episodes, 1984)
Art Malik	...	Zarin (2 episodes, 1984)
Michael Malnick	...	Podmore-Smythe (2 episodes, 1984)
Mary Peach	...	Mrs. Harlowe (2 episodes, 1984)
Anthony Sharp	...	Chiverton (2 episodes, 1984)
Jeremy Sinden	...	Raikes (2 episodes, 1984)
James Snell	...	Ponsonby (2 episodes, 1984)
Goga Kapoor	...	Diwan (2 episodes, 1984)
Vinod Nagpal	...	Gobind Dass (2 episodes, 1984)
Ravi Behl	...	Prince Nandu (2 episodes, 1984)
Master Ravi	...	Prince Lalji (2 episodes, 1984)
Rama Vij	...	Geeta (2 episodes, 1984)
Bharati Devi	...	Unpora Bai (2 episodes, 1984)
Bhushan Tiwari	...	Manilal (2 episodes, 1984)
Praveen Paul	...	Promila Devi (2 episodes, 1984)
Jonie Sethi	...	Sita (2 episodes, 1984)
Ajit Singh	...	Awal Shah (2 episodes, 1984)
Tej Sapru	...	Afzal (2 episodes, 1984)
Soltan Lalani	...	Mr. Singh (2 episodes, 1984)
Jay Devi	...	Dilasah Khan (2 episodes, 1984)
Ojah Maharaj	...	Senior NCO (2 episodes, 1984)
Kamran	...	Head Mullah (2 episodes, 1984)
Iqbal Jamal	...	Tally Clerk (2 episodes, 1984)
Sudhir	...	Jemadar Jewand Singh (2 episodes, 1984)
Gaul Hassan	...	Daud Shah (2 episodes, 1984)
Colonel Kappor	...	Head Tribesman (2 episodes, 1984)
Tony Jordan	...	Ash aged 11 (2 episodes, 1984)
Dilip Singh	...	Ash aged 4 (2 episodes, 1984)
Kristina Lesho	...	Anjuli aged 5 (2 episodes, 1984)
Prerna	...	Nautch Girl (2 episodes, 1984)

Storyline

HBO's first mini-series, set in 19th century British colonial India, involves war battles, love, treachery and intrigue as well as love and honor involving a romance between a British calvary officer and an Indian princess who has been promised in an arranged marriage to a despotic ruler.

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Plot Keywords:

love | british | forbidden love | tv mini series | love affair | 

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Taglines:

The 'Gone With The Wind' of the north-west frontier of India.

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance

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Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 April 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Blade of Steel

Filming Locations:

India

Company Credits

Production Co:

Geoffrey Reeve and Associates, Goldcrest Films International, Home Box Office (HBO)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 315 min (3 parts)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rossano Brazzi is dubbed by David de Keyser.

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Connections

Featured in The Many Faces of Christopher Lee (1996)

User Reviews

Great romantic miniseries

I saw this one on television shortly after it was made, in the 80s, and I was happily surprised when it appeared on DVD. Like the book, the series doesn't have any deeply intellectual hidden layers (as far as I know), but it's a quality product in its kind and a great romantic story with some action too. The English are played by top English actors and the Subcontintent people by Indians or people who could more or less pass of for them, which is a nice change if you're used to seeing ancient Greeks or early Christians played by surf dudes. The odd one out seems to be blue-eyed Amy Irving as the Indian Princess Anjuli, but if you pay attention, you'll know she's supposed to be half-Russian in the series and she looks splendid in a saree anyway. Looking at British costume-dramas I often get the feeling that they enjoy making them even if it's only for the fun of walking up and down a muddy street in a silly 19th-century costume, and this movie has some of the same gusto. Throw in the breathtaking Rajastan scenery and you have a feast for the eyes.

The Far Pavillions is not a series cut down in size to get a movie, but a miniseries, period. Like India itself, it takes its time. Don't expect to sit through it in one evening but relax, settle down with a chai or a whisky and who knows, you might find yourself watching the end credits at 3 AM anyway.