“Belle”, a Jane Austen-esque, historical, romantic period piece, is inspired by true events that were instrumental in setting the stage for the abolition of slavery in the high courts of England. It is a refreshing return to the subject and will appeal to a wide range of audiences. Recently, movies such as Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom, 12 Years A Slave, The Butler and Django Unchained have all tackled the subject but all come with a heavy dose of violence. What separates ‘Belle’ from these films is its heroine, Belle and the ability to tell the story without graphic sex or violence. The script by Misan Sagay, directed by Amma Asante is inspired by the real Dido Elizabeth Murray and her cousin Elizabeth Murray. The two were captured on canvas in 1779 and the painting is in a private collection today.

No wonder “Belle” was a TIFF 2013 Official selection. The movie is a first from Pinewood Films Production, and Pinewood does not disappoint. The production team includes director of photography Ben Smithard (My Week With Marilyn) and production designer Simon Bowles (Hyde Park on Hudson). The English countryside, magnificent estate settings, rich costuming, Old London locations and authentic props are reminiscent of the beloved Jane Austen period dramas. The all star cast includes Sarah Gadon (Elizabeth), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Belle ‘Dido’), Tom Wilkinson, Sam Reid, Emily Watson, Penelope Wilton, Miranda Richardson, James Norton, Tom Felton.

The movie revolves around the beautiful, illegitimate, mulatto daughter (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) of Royal Navy Captain, Sir John Lindsay (Matthew Goode) whose mother was an African slave. Belle renamed Dido, has been raised on the country estate of the household of her father’s uncle, Lord Chief Justice Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson). She has strong ties to her cousin Elizabeth who she has grown up with. There are some interesting undercurrents to the story. Belle and her family are not immune from the stratified nature of English society. They live in an age where women were chattels. The fine line between the rights of a slave and a woman without her own money was almost invisible. The ‘Zong’ case has been brought before the Supreme Court of England. The case concerns the cargo of an English slave ship. The owners are seeking damages for the loss at sea of their insured cargo. The cargo were human slaves. This incident would become known as “The Zong Massacre”. Belle’s uncle as the Lord Chief Justice, is presiding over the “Zong” case. Mansfield, Dido’s great uncle, must face a tough decision. Should he listen to his heart and use the law to create a better world? By doing so he could potentially jeopardize his own hard earned position in England. Slavery was the economic engine behind the supremacy of the great British Empire at the time. He would find many powerful enemies by setting in motion the legal framework to dismantle it. If he does not he may not be able to face himself or to live with the consequences of the man he would become.

Woven into the story are the harsh realities of 18th century English life and its strict class structures. Work houses, orphanages, and poor houses were realities of the day. Woman were the chattels of their masters. A woman’s fate could not determined by love, intelligence or hard work. Well bred English women were relegated to the drawing room, needlepoint and becoming accomplished at the piano forte. A woman such as Dido’s cousin Elizabeth, without inheritance, is doomed no matter how beautiful she may be. A woman, like Dido, of mixed heritage and especially any heritage associated with slavery will be an outsider in this society. Belle will inherit her father’s fortune but her lovely English cousin Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon) will be penniless. Love and the consequences of the passions of love are a constant force in this story. Little ‘Belle’ was the love-child her father brought to England. Suitors for Belle (Dido) and her sister include the money hungry Oliver Ashford (James Norton), his horrid brother James (Tom Felton) and the penniless but sensitive, highly intelligent, principled vicar’s son, Sam Reid who dreams one day of becoming a Chief Justice himself.