Customer Reviews

Far Pavilions (Full Screen) [2 Discs]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

i was so looking forward to the DVD verison of this film. i had taped the entire 6 hours when it was on HBO so many years ago. i missed the narrater intoducing the next parts, and the picture quality, which i expected to be outstanding didn't happen. they took a print and ran it to a DVD, no fixing, no nothing. when i want to watch this one, i put in the old VCR tape, it's better and clearer than the DVD. hard to believe! the people that put this one together didn't give a "flip" about the movie.to bad...

I approached this film with anticipation, for the book by M.M. Kaye, which I have yet to read, had such excellent reviews. I would have to say this movie was extremely good and the scenery compelling. The second half of the six-hour film seemed to move along better than the first half. Most of the performances were very good, but I was let down by Amy Irving's performance in the leading romantic role. Irving is an actress who is one of my favourites and I was disappointed because she seemed curiously lacking in animation. The love scenes between her and Ash, which should have been breathtaking, were short on passion. Ben Cross as Ash was quite good but he too could have been more lively in his role of a fiery and insubordinate soldier of the Raj torn by childhood ties with India.

Yet there were marvelous scenes, such as the caravan of the wedding party, and the suttee near the end of the film. The battle scenes, especially in Afghanistan, were excellent. The technical quality of the DVD I watched was top notch. But the pace occasionally dragged. There also seemed to be annoying gaps in motivation which may have been lost in the transition from novel to the screen.

I would like to give this film more stars, but for all the money that must have been spent in the production, the story should have had more drive.

I have seen this movie in French few years ago and I have always considered that it was a good movie about India of the years 1850-1900. Radjah, Princesses, Officers, Soldiers, Merchants, Costumes, Music, Elephant, Cobra, British Pride, long sandy roads, battles, etc. it is a long saga. Some time too slow but it is a good one.

For criticism purposes, it has to be understood WHEN the novel was written, and also the fact that this movie is based ON A NOVEL, it does not intent to be a documentary, but a recreation of British ruled India from the eyes of a British writer.

I disagree with some of the criticisms posted here, as you cannot analyze a book written in a different time (or a movie based on one) as if you were talking about a contemporary of yours.

I ENJOY the movie VERY MUCH, every time I watch it again (The 4 videos collection)... I would highly recommended it. I LOVE how Ben Cross plays his character, and Amy Irving, too. It is MOST enjoyable.

ENJOY!

When buying on the Internet and relying heavily on reviews, there's always a chance of getting duped into buying a real turkey from time to time. Alas, this is what happened to me with The Far Pavilions.

The DVD cover describes it as a "haunting love story set in the India of the British Raj against the spectacular and epic sweep of battle, treachery and intrigue." It is in fact complete dross, unless of course you're a fan of Mills & Boon or Barbara Cartland.

The baffling thing is that they went to the trouble of making it in the first place. The cost must have been phenomenal. The cast is ostensibly very strong (it includes John Gielgud, Omar Sharif, Christopher Lee and a host of other big names) and it's all shot on location (and the scenery IS sumptious), but the storyline is just awful. Some of the lines spoken were simply embarrassing.

I watched all 303 minutes (303 wasted minutes). The script was unerringly dreadful throughout. To compound it, the two lead stars, Ben Cross and Amy Irving, were hopelessly miscast. It's a shame to see such fine actors so out of place.

The best things one can say about this are that the scenery is wonderful and that it doesn't run to a 304th minute.

If you like India, a good story and top-notch production standards, try watching "The Jewel in the Crown" - a truly excellent TV series.

But, do yourself a favour and read the book first, there is a lot left out of the movie, due to the nature of books being converted to movies in general. You will get the most pleasure if you read the book, and shortly thereafter watch the movie

As a great fan of the book, I was slightly apprehensieve about seeing the TV series. However, I really feel it does the book justice and brings the characters and India to life with its fantastic scenery and sumptuous costumes. Amy Irving is perfect as Anjuli and although unsure at first of Ben Cross's performance, I soon warmed to him as Ash. The picture on the DVD was really good, as was the sound. A must see DVD for anyone who is interested in the history of India.

The acting is superb, India is the beautiful backdrop for this miniseries and the cinematography is glorious.
A Must See!

DGW

This movie is fantastic. I saw it a few years ago and I fell in love with the story. My name actually was chosen after my parents saw it while my mom was pregnant. Watch it, and you will love it too.

This was a movie I first saw on TV as a child. It captivated me at the time and still does. It is one of the reasons I remain interested academically in this region of the world today. It does a nice job in introducing to Western viewers why there is resentment from former colonized countries like India (and others that are "problem" regions today). My only complaint about the movie is Amy Irving's makeup. Her character, Anjuli, is half-Indian and half-Russian. The actress is exotic looking in real life. There was no need to plaster her face with all of that makeup. She would have been convincing in the role without it. Very well acted and beautifully filmed. One of the best miniseries of all time.