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

14 wins & 27 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.

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Plot Keywords:

slavery | abolitionist | interracial relationship | based on true story | zong massacre | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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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:

13 June 2014 (UK)

Also Known As:

Белль

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$10,900,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$106,578, 4 May 2014

Gross USA:

$10,726,630

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$16,607,575

Company Credits

Production Co:

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

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 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.

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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.

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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]

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Connections

Featured in The EE British Academy Film Awards (2015)

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Soundtracks

Violin Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BVW 1004, Corrente & Sarabande
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach

User Reviews

excellent period movie

I wanted to see this movie because it is a period piece. I did not know that it is based on a true story . I loved the settings, the costumes, the writing and the acting. A well written story of the start of the road to abolishing slavery in England. The Story of DIdo - the caring aunt and uncle who took her under their roof, the other niece who they are raising also and how she develops into a beautiful and very smart lady. I'm sure the reactions by the people at that time were presented accurately. Dido was not allowed to eat with company but could with just the family. The courting of the women when they were of that age was interesting to watch and the conniving by the mother of the two -oh so different men in the name of wanting more money to come from the women. I especially like the intelligence of Dido and how it came out in the age of when women were not to be involved in politics or anything other than the home. A beautifully photographed film.