Dido Elizabeth Belle Lindsay was born in 1761, the natural daughter of Maria Belle, an enslaved African woman in the West Indies, and Captain Sir John Lindsay, a British Royal Navy officer. Dido's finger-to-cheek gesture is absent in the fictionalised version, as is her feathered turban. Dido is torn between Oliver's aristocratic status and her burgeoning desire for earnest lefty lawyer and anti-slavery campaigner John Davinier (Sam Reid). It was one of the first European portraits to portray a black subject on an equal eye-line with a white aristocrat, though distinctions are implied by the poses, as Elizabeth's "formality and bookishness are contrasted with the wild and exotically turbanned 'natural' figure of Belle."[8][9]. You can see why someone thought this story would make a great film pitch. Contrary to popular belief, there was a substantial and long-established non-white presence in London in the 18th century – estimates go up to 20,000 people, almost 3% of the city's population – and many were well-integrated free men and women. The film is a work of historical fiction, inspired by a painting and the evidence that Dido was brought up at Kenwood House. Sagay chose to set the major events; Belle's and Elizabeth's love affairs and the Zong case, in the same year the painting was made - when Belle was about 18. Dido's father dies and leaves her the generous sum of £2,000 a year, enough to make her an heiress. He had three illegitimate children, one of whom – Dido Elizabeth Belle – was born to an African slave he captured from a Spanish ship in the West Indies. The only other direct historical reference made about Belle, other than the painting and Thomas Hutchinson's personal diary, appear in Elements of Moral Science, a 1790 work by the Scottish professor of moral philosophy James Beattie, who met Belle and in the book states she recited poetry with "a degree of elegance"[16] equal to any English child of her age, arguing against the then prevailing theory that "negroes are naturally and utterly incapable of distinct articulation".[17]. Alternatively, subscribe to the magazine digitally – on iPad and iPhone, Kindle and Kindle Fire, Google Play and Zinio. Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a "Certified Fresh" score of 84% based on reviews from 150 critics, with an average rating of 6.99/10. James Walvin OBE, professor emeritus of the University of York, said of Belle: "Much of the historical evidence is there – though festooned in the film with imaginary relishes and fictional tricks. To do this, the filmmakers make free with recently published material on the Zong. It also speaks one of my special interests: the history of black people in Britain, and slavery. He served briefly as the first captain of HMS Victory, later Lord Nelson's ship at the Battle of Trafalgar.
As Lord Chief Justice, Mansfield presided over two of the most important cases in the history of the abolition of slavery in Britain: the Somersett case of 1772 and the Zong case of 1782. Wed 11 Jun 2014 09.49 EDT In an expectant crowded courtroom scene (which could have been called 112 Angry Men), Mansfield’s adjudication becomes, not a point of law, but the first bold assertion towards the end of slavery. Belle starts out as a pleasant enough watch with good intentions and some rather clunky expositional dialogue, but it cranks up a gear when Mansfield takes on the Zong case (into which the filmmakers have folded aspects of the Somersett case). [26] Information obtained by Entertainment Weekly showed Asante wrote 18 script drafts, before she directed the film. Lord Mansfield left her £500 in his will and an annuity of £100 (equivalent to around £12,000). With freedom (for three quarters of a million slaves) beckoning over the horizon, Belle and her suitor step outside, find love, and Mansfield’s blessing – in the form of a knowing smile from Tom Wilkinson. "[20] Reviewing the film for History Extra, the official website of BBC History Magazine, Walvin noted that while the second half of the film centres on Dido Elizabeth Belle's involvement in the Zong case, in reality she was "nowhere to be found in the Zong affair". Arrangements are made for Elizabeth to have her coming-out to society, but Lord and Lady Mansfield believe no gentleman will agree to marry Dido because of her mixed-race status, as well as concerns of lower ranking men only marrying her for her wealth, she will travel to London with her cousin, she will not be "out" to society. Walvin points out that "he merely stated that there should be another hearing of the Zong case – this time with evidence not known at the earlier hearing". All rights reserved. [29][30] The film was released on 2 May 2014 in the United States, 9 May in Canada and 13 June 2014 in the United Kingdom. Historian at the Movies: 12 Years a Slave reviewed, Interactive map ‘contradicts slave uprising theories’. In reality, he merely stated that there should be another hearing of the Zong case – this time with evidence not known at the earlier hearing. [28] Belle premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival on 8 September 2013. Hutchinson isn't in the film, but his obnoxious views have been transferred to fictional aristo James Ashford (Tom Felton, doing a grown-up version of his earlier performance as Draco Malfoy).
It portrays her growing outrage (following the simpering lead of her would-be suitor), and her activity as abolitionist mole in the Mansfield house. [21] Press releases that followed Fox Searchlight's acquisition of the film gave the final credit determined by the Writers Guild of America as "Written by Misan Sagay". Betrothal rings were unusual in the 18th century, and the scene in the film of Oliver getting one out from a little box during a proposal belongs to the 20th century. Enter fictional gold-digger Oliver (James Norton), who has a mild case of racism but proposes to Dido anyway. The film was shot on location in the Isle of Man,[10][11] Oxford[12] and London. After all, the makers need to weave a compelling story and a visual treat from evidence that is often sparse and unyielding. [24] Cast members Penelope Wilton and Tom Wilkinson expressed "incredulity" at the accreditation decision. For historical accuracy: **. The aim is to illustrate Belle wooing Mansfield over to the abolitionist cause. Tom Wilkinson’s Mansfield finds his cold legal commercial heart softened, and edged towards abolition by the eyelash-fluttering efforts of his stunning great niece. During the confrontation, John professes his love for Dido. Sometime later, Dido meets with Oliver and breaks off their engagement.
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