Rating: Summary: Long Sad Story With An Unhappy Ending Review: Very involving drama circulating around a number of characters in the last years of British rule in India. The plot never telegraphs its destinations, which keeps the story somewhat disorienting, and nothing quite resolves, if it resolves at all, the way I expected. A good reminder of how Hollywood films tend to predictability. JITC is not Hollywood and gives more the feel of life and its genuine uncertainties. It's challenging because of the number of characters and the complexities of the relationships, both personal and political. But very worthwhile.The DVD is not a bright, crystalline picture. Colors are somewhat washed out, and the image is not particularly sharp, especially in dark scenes. However, the picture is generally free of annoying blemishes. After quickly adjusting to the picture quality, I enjoyed the series very much.
Rating: Summary: A difficult history made easier, including a fine romance Review: We Americans don't know that much about the human stories behind the transition of power in India, from the British to a native republic. This epic helps to sort out the warring factions, giving human faces to the political stories. And the love story between Hari Kumar and Daphne Manners packs a lot of emotion, with an impact that lingers throughout the rest of the story. There are unforgettable characters here, playing out their histories with commendable British (or British-trained) restraint. There are a couple of obvious bits intended to tie all the episodes together (such as the picture designated by the title) but that's nothing to quibble about. You will enjoy the swirl of historical events that catches up the characters, and you will take away a pretty good knowledge of what happened in India at that period.
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