Belle (2013)

The mixed race daughter of a Royal Navy Admiral is raised by her aristocratic great-uncle in 18th century England.

Director:

Amma Asante

Writer:

Misan Sagay

Stars:

Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Matthew Goode, Emily Watson

12 wins & 26 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthew Goode	...	Captain Sir John Lindsay
Lauren Julien-Box	...	Young Dido
Natasha Williams	...	Poor Woman
Alan McKenna	...	Harry
Penelope Wilton	...	Lady Mary Murray
Cara Jenkins	...	Young Elizabeth
Emily Watson	...	Lady Mansfield
Tom Wilkinson	...	Lord Mansfield
Sarah Gadon	...	Elizabeth Murray
Gugu Mbatha-Raw	...	Dido Elizabeth Belle
Miranda Richardson	...	Lady Ashford
James Norton	...	Oliver Ashford
Tom Felton	...	James Ashford
Timothy Walker	...	Wimbridge
Sam Reid	...	John Davinier

Storyline

BELLE is inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), the illegitimate mixed race daughter of a Royal Navy Captain. Raised by her aristocratic great-uncle Lord Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson) and his wife (Emily Watson), Belle's lineage affords her certain privileges, yet the color of her skin prevents her from fully participating in the traditions of her social standing. Left to wonder if she will ever find love, Belle falls for an idealistic young vicar's son bent on change who, with her help, shapes Lord Mansfield's role as Lord Chief Justice to end slavery in England.

---

Plot Keywords:

england | slavery | 18th century | portrait | abolitionist | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements, some language and brief smoking images

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 August 2014 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Dido Elizabeth Belle

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$10,900,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$106,578 (USA) (2 May 2014)

Gross:

$10,722,990 (USA) (22 August 2014)

Company Credits

Production Co:

DJ Films, Isle of Man Film, British Film Institute (BFI)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Emilia Clarke and Claire Foy both auditioned for the role of Elizabeth Murray.

---

Goofs

When Elizabeth and Dido play the piano, it sounds like a large modern piano, not the small 18th-century piano onscreen. Its keys look very old, even though pianos had existed for a few decades, and had just become popular. Most pianos in use at the time would have been fairly new.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Captain Sir John Lindsay: How lovely she is. So much of her mother. Do not be afraid. I am here to take you to a good life. A life that you were born to. Here.
[offers a candy]
Young Dido: [tries it with curiosity]

---

Connections

Version of Dido Belle (2006)

---

Soundtracks

Concerto Grosso Op. 6, No. 11 in A Major, HWV 329, Andante Larghetto
Composed by George Frideric Handel

User Reviews

A Slow-Burning Gem

I was so excited when I found a little indie theater 40 minutes away was airing Belle. I already knew I wanted to see this film by virtue of it being a historical drama/romance that put a biracial woman front and center. I love period films, but as a genre they are sorely lacking representation of POC characters. I walked out of the theater stunned at this passionate story of love, justice, acceptance, and society. It's slow-burning, to be sure. I was getting worried the first half hour. It seemed like this would be a black and white (no pun intended) morality play of good, open-hearted people pitted against evil racists. It's true that some characters fall plainly on one side or another, but as the movie goes on, the roles start to become blurred. It becomes a story of people who are caught between the clear-cut lines society has placed. If you can find a theater playing Belle, go see it as soon as possible. Films like this deserve all the attention they can get.