Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Staying On 1980


     This film is based on a 1977 novel by Paul Scott and is a sequel to Raj Quartet (Jewel in the Crown).  When India gained it’s independence on 15 August 1947, a British colonel and his wife decided to remain in McCluskiegunj in North India.  This is a hill station where many of the British stayed on.  Col Smalley was head of his regiment until he retired.  In 1957, Tusker and Lucy Smalley are receiving a small pension from the British Indian Army and it will go further in India than in Britain. They live in the Lodge, an annex to Smith’s Hotel.  Lucy finds herself ranked fairly low in the social standings among the non-Indian women in Pankot.  Tusker can be obstinate, obtuse and he can get frightfully drunk.  So much so that he needs to be conveyed home in a tonga, the local means of transportation with a horse and cart. The Smalley’s are having difficulties with their landlord Mrs. Lila Bhoolabhoy.  She has terminated caring for the lawn and gardens.
     Tucker and Lucy are quite opposites of each other, maybe that is why they got married.  They are in their late sixties or early seventies at this point.  She tries to ignore his faults, minimize bickering and quarreling and keep the peace in the household.  It’s a comfortable life with Ibrahim to help with the house.  Lucy worries what will happen if Tucker passes before she does since he is older.  3* (This movie is OK)

90 min, TV Movie, Drama directed by Silvio Narizzano with Trevor Howard, Celia Johnson, Saeed Jaffrey, Pearl Padamsee, Fida Bai, Zia Mohyeddin, Ajit Saldanha, Habib Tanvir, Raj Bharti, Sushma Seth.

Note:  Imdb 7.4 out of 10, Amazon 4.4* out of 5* with 12 reviews.
Special Note:  Staying On was filmed first as a test run for the filming of the more complicated Jewel in the Crown.  Filmed in Simla, Himachal Pradesh, India.  There was a lot of controversy and dispute over this film and it was only aired one time.

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