BELLE

UK, 2014, 109 minutes, Colour.
Gugu Mbatha Raw, Tom Wilkinson, Emily Watson, Sarah Gadon, Miranda Richardson, Penelope Wilson, Sam Read, Tom Felton, James Norton.
Directed by Amma Assante.

A film which many audiences will thoroughly enjoy.

On the one hand, it is in the tradition of the elegant English heritage dramas, especially those films of Jane Austen’s novels. Belle is set in the 1780s, only a quarter of a century or so before the Jane Austen period. On the other hand, Belle has a strong message about racial inequality and racism at the time, centred on Britain’s role in the slave trade. In this way, it is in the tradition of social reform films, especially the story of William Wilberforce and abolition of the trade in Amazing Grace.

There has been no budget stinting on costumes and décor. We see the beauty of the world of the wealthy. We are taken into darker and more realistic areas of London and the ports.

And who is Belle? She is an actual character, a young mulatto girl (the phrase of the time), daughter of a wealthy Naval officer who takes her to live with his uncle, Lord Mansfield, who is the Chief Justice. He and his wife and the governess are taken aback. Yet, they abide by a set of rules which acknowledges the young girl, who is called Dido, her inheritance – but also society rules and customs which prevent her from dining at table with the rest of the family and visitors.

Dido is played by a young English actress, Gugu Mbatha Raw, who is both charming and convincing, as she grows up in this ambiguous situation in the company of her cousin, Bet (Sarah Gadon). In the atmosphere of the times, both girls are looking for husbands, Bet without a dowry, Dido with her personal fortune. They encounter the Ashford family (where the sons are also looking for wives, preferably wealthy). Lady Ashford (Miranda Richardson) is the ambitious, avaricious and bigoted mother. What follows is very much Jane Austen scenarios.

During the film, Bet’s portrait is painted, Dido unwilling to pose – she sees that all paintings with black individuals have the black in a subservient position. However, we see the portrait at the end – and the actual portrait from this period. Dido is not subservient.

At this time, a slave-carrying ship, the Zong, has caused a public furore, the owners pushing slaves overboard, allegedly because the ship was not carrying enough water. Should the owners be paid insurance for their loss? The Lord Chief Justice (Tom Wilkinson in a substantial role) delays in his decision, challenged by his wife (Emily Watson) to think back to his legal origins and idealism, concerned about Dido whom he loves like a daughter, and spurred by a zealous lawyer, Davernier (Sam Reid) who loves Dido. If the Justice finds for the insurers against the owners, many see that it will destroy the trade and endanger Britain’s economy.

The film offers a lot to think about in its well-written screenplay, and a lot to look at in its striking visuals.



1. An entertainment? An interesting drama? Romance? Social concern?

2. England in the 1760s and 1780s? The difference in class? Searching for spouses and financial security? The background of the slave trade, legislation, moves for abolition? The film combining elegant society with a significant abolition story?

3. The film based on a true story? The final image of the actual portrait? The film imagining the life of these two young women? The significance of the black woman not inferior to quite?

4. 1769, the background of the navy, visualising of the ports, the activity? Lindsay, his life and career, his relationship with Dido’s mother, his going to find the child, the tender scene with her, taking her home? Lord Mansfield and his wife? Aunt Mary? Immediate reactions? Hostility? Questions? Propriety, rules? Society’s rules? Lindsay and his plea, affectionate talking to his daughter, Dido’s memories of these movements and cherishing them? The situation, in the house, as a niece, Lindsay’s money, the inheritance from her father, the strict rules, especially about her non-presence of meals? Inherent racism?

5. The girls playing together, growing up together, the social situation, with Lord Mansfield and his wife? Aunt Mary looking? A kind of Pride and Prejudice situation? The family, members, the breakfasts together, the staff? Dido and status? The search for husbands? Dido and her inheritance? Bet and her lack of inheritance? The background of her father, leaving, new wife and family, his estate for them?

6. Lord Mansfield, his role as Chief Justice? The Zong case? Taking his time, examining the law, the rules, the issues of society, the abolition of slavery, the financial consequences? His taking on Davernier? Lord Ashford and the aristocracy? The issue of insurance?

7. The Zong situation, the slave trade, too many slaves on board, cramped conditions, illness, the decision to throw them overboard, the alleged reason being lack of water? Dido and her obtaining the documents with the indication of the ports where water could have been obtained? The ailing slaves not saleable? The pressure, Parliament, courts, the question of upsetting British standards and empire, the finances of Britain? Davernier and his pamphlets, his arguments? The Lord Chief Justice listening to him? Davernier expounding his views before the hearing? The Chief Justice and his delivery of his opinion, the situation, justice, the law, morality and humanity? The consequences?

8. The Ashford family, coming to the meal? The girls excited? Lady Ashford meeting Dido and her obvious racism? James and his dislike of Dido, snobbery? Oliver, the attraction? The visits, Oliver walking with Dido, her considering the marriage? James and his criticism of the courting, discovering that Bet had no money, keeping away? Oliver, Dido, the proposal, Dido happy? Society’s expectations? Confiding in Bet? Oliver and his sincerity? The visit, Dido’s refusal, the harsh reaction of Lady Ashford and Dido’s pointing this out?

9. James and Oliver, the relationship, James and his confronting Dido, the molsting? His learning Bet had no money? Seeking other prospective wives, in the carriage with his mother, their both being upset?

10. The effect of Bet, crying, Dido trying to help, telling her the truth, Bet unable to accept this? Dido offering to give money for the dowry? Bet accepting it as for James? Dido and her promising to find another husband? The visit, the suitor calling on Bet, Dido approving?

11. Lady Mansfield and her change, the time it took, but still some underlying prejudices? Love of the two nieces? Accepting the rules? Going courting with the girls? Going shopping? Her hopes? Being present when Dido broke the engagement? Reminiscing with her husband, about his past humble origins, proposal, ambitions, the change? Her influence in her husband? Lord Mansfield as a character, changing over the years, the ordinary sequences at home, the breakfast table, the conversations?

12. Dido, the black maid, helping with her hair, liking her, and supporting her? He wage according to Lord Mansfield? Dido and the coachman, his taking her out?

13. Aunt Mary, strong character, spinster, her explanation of herself and her story, the suitor and his dying? Bonding with the girls? Sharing their hopes, listening?

14. Davernier and his character, the visit, Dido being angry with, his attempt at apology? The clergyman’s son, interest in the law, changing the world? With Lord Mansfield, helping him? Going on his own, in Kentish Town, his study, his writings, the pamphlets, his interest in the Zong case? The encounters with Dido, in the garden, the bonding between them, sharing ideas, her secret visits, the discussions and walks, getting the documents, Lord Mansfield discovering the visits, confronting them, issues of responsibility? Lord Mansfield and his change?

15. Dido, the relationship with Davernier, love, the simple life and her desires, the permission to marry?

16. Her objections to being painted, finally seeing the portrait, so many paintings showing black characters in subservience situations? The audience seeing the real portrait? And the further information about the characters after the film’s story?