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A Passage to India

Play trailer Poster for A Passage to India PG 1985 2h 43m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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77% Tomatometer 30 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Based on the renowned E.M. Forster novel, this expansive period drama centers on the changing dynamic between British colonials and native locals in India during the 1920s. When an outing to explore scenic caves ends in English tourist Adela Quested (Judy Davis) accusing Indian doctor Aziz Ahmed (Victor Banerjee) of rape, the incident results in a major court case, one that reinforces tensions between the British Empire and the growing movement towards Indian independence.
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A Passage to India

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Critics Consensus

A Passage to India is a visually striking exploration of colonialism and prejudice, although it doesn't achieve the thematic breadth of director David Lean's finest work.

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Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker Sep 13, 2023
The novel wants to be about unresolvability; the movie doesn’t, and isn’t. What’s remarkable about the film is how two such different temperaments as Forster’s and Lean’s could come together. Go to Full Review Gavin Millar Sight & Sound Feb 10, 2020
It is a disappointing signpost to what lies ahead. Lean swiftly turns the narrative into a melodrama of social and sexual unease. Go to Full Review Ian Nathan Empire Magazine Nov 6, 2007
3/5
The film, for all Lean's innate elegance, is strangely remote and unmoving. It could easily have been a Merchant-Ivory film. Go to Full Review Kat Halstead Common Sense Media Sep 18, 2024
A Passage to India still lives up to the hype some 40 years later. Go to Full Review Christopher Lloyd The Film Yap Jul 22, 2024
3/5
David Lean's last film -- after a 14-year break -- was seen as a return to form. But it's an odd, sprawling work with an epic backdrop but a pinched sense of storytelling. Go to Full Review Molly Haskell Video Review Jan 19, 2023
3/4
David Lean's adaptation of E.M. For- ster's great Anglo-Indian novel is, for a great deal of its 2 1/2-hours running time, an exceptionally fine and civilized movie, almost a great one. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Frans B @FransB May 17, 2026 Brilliant movie. Reminds me of the fact that colonialism destroys civilizations, still. Sad hey? Human beings ... Striking piece of work this. Very well directed and brought to screen. Great cinematography and visually stunning. Whole cast excels in character. Lots of drama, suspense, real life dilemma, emotion and intrigue. Epic and entertaining, albeit at a leisurely pace, as it should be See more Paul S @PManRager Feb 1, 2026 Perhaps I am not the audience for this movie, but I found it to be incredibly boring. I appreciate the message it sends about Colonial rule over India, and the depiction of how the British and Indians viewed each other, but I thought the plot was incredibly slow and uninteresting, and the characters did not resonate with me at all. I can see drama and historical fans appreciating it, but I did not enjoy it. See more CodyZamboni Z @CodyZamboni Jun 6, 2025 Colonial ruled India, and colonial blatant prejudice, is forefront of David Lean's adaption, How prejudice brings together, and tears friendships apart, And then brings them back together. Top notch cinematography and performances, See more nick s @Nick_S Jan 15, 2025 It's very well shot and well acted. But it strikes me as an immersive movie rather than a riveting one. I was quite bored. For all it's splendor I was left thinking "So where's it going? What's the point?" Lean is a great cinematographer's director but he doesn't hook the audience from the get go. I thought the acting was great in general but Banerjee's performance was a little stagey. See more Marcel d @RT99671921 Jan 24, 2024 A fantastic film about prejudice and injustice. Truly a classic and a must-watch! See more Joe B @RT93475911 Nov 27, 2023 Having seen around the time of release, I revisited it this year and was happy to see it's largely still very watchable. Whilst the characters now seem a little exaggerated, the themes still resonate today. Although seeing a browned up actor, this was early 80's, is uncomfortable. See more Read all reviews
A Passage to India

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Cast & Crew

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David Lean

Director

Judy Davis

Adela

Peggy Ashcroft

Mrs. Moore

Victor Banerjee

Aziz

James Fox

Fielding

Alec Guinness

Godbole

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A Passage to India

A Passage to India (1984) A Passage to India (1984) A Passage to India (1984) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Based on the renowned E.M. Forster novel, this expansive period drama centers on the changing dynamic between British colonials and native locals in India during the 1920s. When an outing to explore scenic caves ends in English tourist Adela Quested (Judy Davis) accusing Indian doctor Aziz Ahmed (Victor Banerjee) of rape, the incident results in a major court case, one that reinforces tensions between the British Empire and the growing movement towards Indian independence.
Director
David Lean
Producer
John Brabourne, Richard Goodwin
Screenwriter
David Lean
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
EMI Films Ltd.
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 25, 1985, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2012
Runtime
2h 43m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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