Plot
An illegitimate mixed race daughter of a Royal Navy Admiral is raised by her aristocratic great-uncle.
Release Year: 2013
Rating: 6.3/10 (449 voted)
Critic's Score: /100
Director: Amma Asante
Stars: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Matthew Goode, Emily Watson
Storyline
BELLE is inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mabatha-Raw), the illegitimate mixed race daughter of a Royal Navy Admiral. Raised by her aristocratic great-uncle Lord Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson) and his wife (Emily Watson), Belle's lineage affords her certain privileges, yet the color of her skin prevents her from fully participating in the traditions of her social standing. Left to wonder if she will ever find love, Belle falls for an idealistic young vicar's son bent on change who, with her help, shapes Lord Mansfield's role as Lord Chief Justice to end slavery in England.
Cast: Matthew Goode -
Captain Sir John Lindsay
Lauren Julien-Box -
Young Dido
Natasha Williams -
Poor Woman
Alan McKenna -
Harry
Penelope Wilton -
Lady Mary Murray
Cara Jenkins -
Young Elizabeth
Emily Watson -
Lady Mansfield
Tom Wilkinson -
Lord Mansfield
Sarah Gadon -
Elizabeth Murray
Gugu Mbatha-Raw -
Dido Elizabeth Belle
Miranda Richardson -
Lady Ashford
James Norton -
Oliver Ashford
Tom Felton -
James Ashford
Timothy Walker -
Wimbridge
Sam Reid -
John Davinier
Country: UK
Language: English
Release Date: 2 May 2014
Filming Locations: Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia: Sam Claflin was initially cast but he dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. His role was recast with Sam Reid. See more »
User Review
Author:
Rating: 10/10
- A love story and the value of being honest to yourself is what Belle
is about. This movie transports you to the 1700s England. Based on the
true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle "Belle", this tale is about a young
mulato girl named Belle that is brought into her father's house and
caretaker of her great-uncle Lord Mansfield a honorable Chief Judge and
wife. Belle has all the rights and privileges of upper society but her
face reflects her slave mother and the prevailing social prejudice
keeps her from being totally accepted into the formal social circles.
At the same time, she befriends her cousin, who she considers a sister
and is also given residence to this estate after her mother dies and
her father abandons her. This story is beautifully layered with the
issues of equality and slavery but is not preachy. It merely shows how
the matters of the heart can't be prevented by the color of your skin.
This coming of age story is masterfully told. I saw this film as part
of the Atlanta Film Festival.
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