JEWEL IN THE CROWN, THE, EPISODE 9: THE TOWERS OF SILENCE (TV)
Summary
Part nine 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 ninth episode, "The Towers of Silence," which takes place in 1944, Susan appears to be improving under the care of psychiatrist Dr. Samuels, who is treating her in the aftermath of her infanticide attempt. Barbie Batchelor pays a visit to Captain Coley but hurries from his home into the rain after being surprised by finding Coley and Mildred Layton in an adulterous tryst. Mildred is furious at her younger sister Fenny because she believes that Sarah became impregnated when Fenny encouraged the young woman to socialize during her visit to Calcutta. Mildred orders Fenny to coerce Sarah into having an abortion.
Sarah visits Barbie in the hospital as the elderly woman battles pneumonia, and later arranges for her return to missionary work so that the depressed woman may regain her sense of purpose. With her granddaughter Pavrati in tow, Lady Manners arrives at Pankot, as, coincidentally, does Ronald Merrick. Merrick visits Rose Cottage when Barbie is there retrieving a trunk of belongings before leaving for her new assignment. The two discuss Edwina Crane, a missionary who committed suicide after being raped during the riots in Mayapore, and Hari Kumar, the Indian man who Merrick tortured and traduced for the rape of Daphne Manners, which occurred during the same period of unrest. Merrick still stubbornly contends that Kumar was gulty of the crime. Barbie bestows the gift of "The Jewel in the Crown" painting to Merrick, before she leaves and shortly after is injured in a rickshaw accident on the slick, rain-soaked road. Barbie, who is hospitalized, is now mute and plagued by memory loss. Months later she receives a visit from Sarah, who anxiously anticipates a reunion with her father, Colonel Layton, who has been a prisoner of war for several years.
(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: 1984
- RUNNING TIME: 0:52:09
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T86:1239
- 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
- Tim Pigott-Smith … Cast, Ronald Merrick
- Rosalie Williams … Cast, Sister Mary
- Judy Parfitt … Cast, Mildred Layton
- Wendy Morgan … Cast, Susan Bingham
- Carol Gillies … Cast, Clarissa Peplow
- Peggy Ashcroft … Cast, Barbie Batchelor
- Simon Shepherd … Cast, the Second Lieutenant
- Rachel Kempson … Cast, Lady Manners
- Stephen Riddle … Cast, Dicky Beauvais
- Geoffrey Beevers … Cast, Kevin Coley
- Zulema Dene … Cast, Isobel Rankin
- Anna Cropper … Cast, Nicky Paynton
- Shreela Ghosh … Cast, Minnie
- Ralph Arliss … Cast, Captain Samuels
- David Allister … Cast, Doctor Travers
- Rosemary Leach … Cast, Aunt Fenny