Demure Dr. Aziz (Victor Banerjee) is an accommodating, idealistic and sacrificially considerate humanitarian who equally embraces all mankind. School director Richard Fielding (James Fox) is open-minded and casually befriends Indians without prejudicial outlook. Ms. Adela Quested (Judy Davis), together with her future mother-in-law, Mrs. Moore (Dame Peggy Ashcroft), are visiting son and town magistrate Ronny Heaslop (Nigel Havers) with plans for his engagement. Both ladies are liberal-minded and enthusiastic to explore Indian culture and customs and readily accept Dr. Aziz's invitation for an elaborate excursion to the hypnotic echoing Marabar Caves for a picnic, repleat with elephant transport and caravan in the hospitable Indian tradition. A murmuring mystery surrounds Adela's hidden ordeal (and passion) as she frantically descends from a clandestined encounter in the caves which has left her scratched, bloodied and dashing into the rescuing protection of Britishwoman Mrs. Turton (Antonia Pemberton). Confounded host Dr. Aziz is unfortunately arrested, jailed, and the fate of his future and good name are trampled by British interrogation, intrusion and trespass as he is publicly disgraced and brought to bear the defense to a Brit's accusations of rape.
Benevolent Mrs. Moore descends the scene and takes a voyage homeward, while Mr. Fielding finds himself face-to-face with his own unearthed prejudices as he pries himself loose from British opinion when Dr. Aziz reminds him that all Brits stick together in the end. Adela is sequestered by British loyalist fiancee Ronny Heaslop and the Turtons' where she is kept under sedation until her tragedy turns into a trial where truth will displace injustice and animosity.
A Passage to India: Collector's Edition is gripping and intense and implores sympathy for Indian suppression and abhorrence of the cold, insensitive selfishness of repressive colonial domination. It pulls up the skirts of British repression especially as Britishwoman Quested has profound imaginings of sexual desire enticed by the haunting beauty of Indian culture and monument and displaced on the unassuming gentle innocence of the widower Dr. Aziz.
Special features include "Commentary with Producer Richard Goodwin" pointing out interesting facts, places and scenes. "E. M. Forster: A Profile of an Author" narrated by Peter Jones, Fellow and Librarian, King's College Cambridge, gives dimension and background to the author and his epic A Passage to India. He explains that the mystery of the caves is unimportant compared to the "muddle" that is created by scandal and how it impacts racial relations.
"An Epic Takes Shape" highlights various aspects of the film production and costs. "An Indian Affair" is a pictorial portrayal of the Hindu blessing of the production and cameras which occurs before every Indian filming. Commentary on the Marabar Caves reveals the hollowing out of 3-4 foot cave entrances in the side of a holy mountain to lend authenticity to the indwelling caves which were fully restored after filming. Exotic locations lend wonder and mysticism to the film concluding with the magnificent Himalayan background of Kashmir.
"Only Connect: A Vision of India" gives insight to Lean's innate desire to receive an Oscar for his editing mastery throughout his career and how he died unfulfilled in that effort with commentary on his white-gloved editing skills at Pinewood Studios. "Casting a Classic" brings together casting director and actors discussing their auditions and personality difficulties, but focuses on the great and grand company of actors whose talents merge to create life under Lean's skillful direction and screenwriting. "David Lean: Shooting with the Master" shows the uncompromising perfectionist that premeditated the exactness of every scene. Also actors respond on David's genius and detachment from them outside their participation in the film and his uncanny ability to totally focus on the perfection and technicality of the scene. "Reflections of David Lean" feature British director Lean's opinions of actors, his admiration of actors William Holden and Alec Guinness, as well as his interpretation of the book as a movie.
The epic A Passage to India: Collector's Edition received eleven Oscar nominations and two awards were given for Dame Peggy Ashcroft's supporting actress role as Mrs. Moore and for Maurice Jarre's original score. This was David Lean's final directing feat after a 14-year hiatus and closed out his career in brilliant glory.
