JEWEL IN THE CROWN, THE, EPISODE 13: PANDORA'S BOX (TV)
Summary
Part thirteen of this epic fourteen-part drama which chronicles the final turbulent years of English rule in India from 1942-1947. Based on author Paul Scott's "The Raj Quartet," this mini-series concentrates on the intricate personal relationships of British and Indian characters against the backdrop of India's struggle to assert its sovereignty from the declining British Empire. In the thirteenth episode, "Pandora's Box," which takes place in1947, Guy Perron -- who is now a history lecturer at Cambridge -- returns to Mirat in India on the eve of independence, an independence which may release long-simmering hostilities between Hindus and Muslims.
He soon learns that Ronald Merrick has died under mysterious circumstances. Although he is first informed that Merrick -- who had been in charge of the States Police since leaving the military -- succumbed to injuries from a riding accident, Nigel Rowan later reveals that Merrick was the victim of a gruesome murder. Merrick's wife Susan, who has suffered a long history of emotional instability, has been further traumatized by the death. Sarah is employed along with Ahmed Kasim in the Nawab's household. The Nawab -- at the behest of Count Bronowsky -- signs a treaty that will permit his small state to join the Indian Union territory, although Mirat is threatened by invidious violence because its largely Hindu populace is ruled by a Muslim prince. Meanwhile, Perron learns that Hari Kumar, employing a sobriquet, is working as a journalist in Ranpur.
(This series also aired on PBS under the umbrella of "Mobil Masterpiece Theatre" from December 16, 1984 through March 17, 1985.)
Details
- NETWORK: Granada (United Kingdom)
- DATE: November 30, 1983
- RUNNING TIME: 0:52:29
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T86:1243
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; India - History - Drama; International Collection - United Kingdom
- SERIES RUN: Granada (United Kingdom) - TV series, 1984
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Denis Forman … Executive Producer
- Christopher Morahan … Producer, Director
- Milly Preece … Associate Producer
- Irene Shubik … Series devised by
- Lesley Beames … Researcher
- Paul Scott … Writer, Based on "The Raj Quartet" by
- Ken Taylor … Adapted by
- George Fenton … Composer
- Geraldine James … Cast, Sarah Layton
- Rosemary Leach … Cast, Aunt Fenny
- Frederick Treves … Cast, Colonel Layton
- Wendy Morgan … Cast, Susan Bingham
- Eric Porter … Cast, Count Bronowsky
- Le Prevost, Nicholas … Cast, Nigel Rowan
- Charles Dance … Cast, Guy Perron
- Tapan Ghosh … Cast, the Clerk
- Leonard Trolley … Cast, Macpherson
- Shreela Ghosh … Cast, Minnie
- Nicholas Haley … Cast, Edward
- Jonathan Haley … Cast, Edward
- Tim Pigott-Smith … Cast, Ronald Merrick
- Derrick Branche … Cast, Ahmed Kasim
- Saeed Jaffrey … Cast, Nawab
- Art Malik … Cast, Hari Kumar