CLIVE OF INDIA
US, 1935, 90 minutes, Black and white.
Ronald Colman, Loretta Young, Colin Clive, Francis Lister, Montagu Love, Robert Greig, Leo G. Carroll, C. Aubrey Smith, Mischa Auer.
Directed by Richard Boleslawski.
Clive of India is an early Darryl Zanuck production. While it has the sweep of Clive's career in England and India, the screenplay is based on a play by W. P. Lipscomb and R. J. Minney. It focuses very much on Clive as a person and his relationship with his wife and subsequent rise to fame and potential collapse.
The film presupposes the worth of the British Empire, the necessity of the presence of the British in India in the 18th. century and afterwards. It has, at times, quite a patriotic sounding tone. However, it is very much a Hollywood version of British spirit.
Direction is by Richard Boleslawski who made such films as Les Miserables and The Garden of Allah. Ronald Colman tends to declaim a great deal in the central role while Loretta Young looks attractive and sometimes wan. There is a strong supporting cast. Music is by Alfred Newman and uses some traditional British themes.
1. An interesting re-creation of 18th century India? Britain? Sketch of Clive of India and his career, background, relationship with his wife?
2. 1930s production values: Hollywood sets, the re-creation of the atmosphere of India - the South, the countryside, the battles, the Black Hole of Calcutta, the traders, the military? The atmosphere of England - parliament, stately homes etc.? Pacing? The musical score?
3. The reputation of Clive of India? In his time? Denunciation? History's interpretation? His role as a hero? A later 20th. century re-evaluation? Interest in India? The perspective of the 130s -to be changed after independence? Themes of Empire, success? Colonialism?
4. The portrait of Clive and his work as a businessman, as an accountant, his dissatisfaction, his suggestions to the army, his boldness, success, gaining in wealth? The return to England? His work in India as an administrator? Deals, politicking - and the possibility of failure? This later being held against him? His relationship with his friends, the support of his brother-in-law? His love for Margaret, devotion to her? His son, death? The estrangement? A lone figure, the support of the Prime Minister, of Margaret? The restoration of his reputation?
5. The film as a romance - the locket and portrait of Margaret, her coming out, failing in love with him, her shyness, the dance, the couple in India, their return to England, wealth, the child, the return to India - too much for Margaret? The final reconciliation?
6. The East India Trading Company and the portrait of money men in India, their attitudes towards business, towards Indians? Treaties? The military? Political tangles and influence? The final victory by the East India people?
7. The portrait of the East Indians? The mad ruler, the Black Hole of Calcutta? Alliances?
8. The film relying on interiors rather than exteriors? The audience grasping the situation in the towns, relationship with the Indians, rebellion? Battles?
9. The film as interesting historically - a film of the '30s, '30s popular style and interpretation of history? Attitude toward the British? Towards heroism?
