Devika Bhise in the movie “The Warrior Queen of Jhansi.” (Nick Wall / Roadside Attractions)
Directed by: Swati Bhise
Written by: Swati Bhise and Devika Bhise
Starring: Devika Bhise, Rupert Everett, Derek Jacobi
As I recount my experience watching “The Warrior Queen of Jhansi,” I couldn’t help but think of two important things. First, the quote, To the Victor go the spoils. Although the native peoples of India that suffered at the hands of the British in the late 1850’s, many noble souls were brave enough and courageous enough to rise above the situation with a voice louder than their oppressors.
The second thing that Devika Bhis’s performance as the Rani of Jhansi reminded me of, was that of William Wallace of “Braveheart” fame or of General Maximus of “Gladiator” fame, of which Derek Jacobi, who plays Lord Palmerston of the British East India Company in “The Warrior Queen of Jhansi”. Both characters, although men, represent a similar uprising for which they are standing up to foreign aggressors who underestimated their targets.
Swati Bhise’s direction is methodical, treating the British incursion from the perspective that they were not going to win. The story telegraphs this point, diminishing the historical narrative. However, in its defense, this also serves to allow Lakshmi Bai (Devika Bhise) to play to the characters’ strength as someone who earns the respect of her people, even in the face of her greatest counsels’ advice that they are beaten by the British.
Within the conflict, there is dissention among the various factions, with infighting on the rise, In order to be one voice and to outsmart the British, the Rani puts pride aside to bring her people together, much like the sword she would yield on the battlefront.
The British are no less formidable as a result of the story’s vantage point.Rupert Everett as Sir Hugh Rose pushes his legions to press forward, even as the doctors are telling him that the wounded cannot press on in their condition.
There is a modern day parallel to this theme that is not lost on this critic. At the same time is a love story brewing with Major Robert Ellis (Ben Lamb); something forbidden by the ongoing conflict. As she realizes the higher road, you can see the pain in Ms. Bhise’s performance. It something that reminds us to be courageous and just when a decision requires a hard stance.
The story issues aside, the film has a ‘television-movie-of-the-week’ quality about it as simplistic visuals compel you to see the story unfold with the characters and performances driving the story forward.
Mr. Jacobi’s performance is that of man desperate to quell the uprising at any cost, and history was not favourable toward his position. The scenes between he and Queen Victoria (Jodhi May) were shot in a way that carried his desperation and that of a Queen who had sympathies for the resistance where she too needed to balance out her duties with her desires.
There were no real victors in this conflict. Many died, but it is the voice from the grave that rose up against the oppression that gives rise to “The Warrior Queen of Jhansi.”
2 out of 4 stars
