JEWEL IN THE CROWN, THE, EPISODE 11: TRAVELLING COMPANIONS (TV)
Summary
Part eleven 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. The eleventh episode, "Travelling Companions," which takes place in 1945, opens with the death of Barbie Batchelor on the day the first atom bomb is dropped on Hiroshima. The rest of the episode concerns the train trip from Ranpur to Pankot made by Guy Perron, Ronald Merrick, Nigel Rowan, and Gopal. Perron is increasingly livid about having to serve under the nefarious Merrick.
Merrick's callous reaction to the prison suicide of Colonel Layton's alleged turncoat regiment member, Havildar Muzzafir Khan, has only exacerbated Perron's feelings. Merrick is travelling to Pankot to meet with Colonel Layton and inform him of his former charge's death. Perron is disappointed to discover that Rowan may have romantic intentions towards Sarah Layton, with whom he is smitten. In Pankot, Sarah is stunned to learn that Merrick has become engaged to her sister, Susan, who is probably mentally unfit for marriage. Aghast at the news, Sarah requests that Rowan help her block the marriage.
(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: 0:51:53
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T86:1241
- 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
- Peggy Ashcroft … Cast, Barbie Batchelor
- Frederick Treves … Cast, Colonel Layton
- Geraldine James … Cast, Sarah Layton
- Geoffrey Beevers … Cast, Kevin Coley
- Wendy Morgan … Cast, Susan Bingham
- Shreela Ghosh … Cast, Minnie
- Judy Parfitt … Cast, Mildred Layton
- John McGregor … Cast, Colonel Trehearne
- Irene Sutcliffe … Cast, Maisie Trehearne
- Christopher Irvin … Cast, the Second Lieutenant
- Le Prevost, Nicholas … Cast, Nigel Rowan
- John Horsley … Cast, Sir George Malcolm
- Ian Bleasdale … Cast, a Railway Transport Officer
- Bob Babenia … Cast, Gopal
- Tim Pigott-Smith … Cast, Ronald Merrick
- Charles Dance … Cast, Guy Perron
- Albert Moses … Cast, Suleiman
- Warren Clarke … Cast, Sophie Dixon
- Robert Putt … Cast, Sergeant Potter
- Paul Jaynes … Cast, George
- Zia Mohyeddin … Cast, Mohammed Ali Kasim