A Passage to India

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A Passage to India

PG

Released Jan 25, 1985

2h 43m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

77%

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30 Reviews

79%

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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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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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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

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.

Sep 13, 2023

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Gavin Millar

Sight & Sound

It is a disappointing signpost to what lies ahead. Lean swiftly turns the narrative into a melodrama of social and sexual unease.

Feb 10, 2020

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Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

The film, for all Lean's innate elegance, is strangely remote and unmoving. It could easily have been a Merchant-Ivory film.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 6, 2007

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Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

A Passage to India still lives up to the hype some 40 years later.

Sep 18, 2024

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Christopher Lloyd

The Film Yap

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.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 22, 2024

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Molly Haskell

Video Review

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.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 19, 2023

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CodyZamboni Z

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,

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/06/25

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nick s

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/02/25

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Marcel d

A fantastic film about prejudice and injustice. Truly a classic and a must-watch!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/24/24

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Joe B

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.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/27/23

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Anna A

Magnificent. Stands the text of time

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/04/23

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Leaburn O

There are good moments but some of the characters are cartoonish and playing up to silly stereotypes. Felt far too long for a story that never really threatens to get going. Some interesting depictions of the Raj however.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/18/23

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David Lean

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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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