The Warrior Queen of Jhansi

[Drunk Monk]

Saw the screener just now with cf. Disappointing. It is an epic tale of one of history’s great woman warriors, Queen Rani. But this is not an Indian version. It’s from Devika Bhise, who I think has great potential but it’s buried in stilted expositional dialog. It’s all very flat, more like a history lesson than the engaging inspirational epic it should be. It’s so female strong, but here it’s somewhat apologetic, with a sympathetic Brit soldier and the main villain is the capitalist’s greed.

But what about the sword fights? That’s what DOOm wants to know, right? Not bad. Devika can handle double talwar well enough but there’s a weird continuity blooper in the finale fight. Rani charges in on horseback and alternate between one and two swords from shot to shot. Devika even handles a urumi serviceably. It’s brit enfield rifles vs sword & spear, which had the potential impact of Ran’s battle of Sekigahara but ultimately fails to be heartfelt. There’s was a Kalaripayattu master credited.

[cranefly]

Devika even handles a urumi serviceably.

Yes, I was waiting to see a urumi, was starting to fear it wouldn't appear.  But there it was.
So... It was Devika's mother who directed, right?  Other than that, Devika had her hands in almost all of this production.

Oh, and as I mentioned after the movie, Rupert Everett is back!  Haven't really noticed him since Cemetery Man (1994), which left a big impression.
These days, with Rupert, you get muttonchops.

Ditto all else that DM said.

[Drunk Monk]

It's her mom?  Interesting.  I'll follow up on that. 

I regret not taking a pic of the Kalari master credited in the film.  Looks like I have some web research ahead.

Here's the trailer.  



And for comparison, here's the trailer for Manikarnika - http://www.brotherhoodofdoom.com/doomFor...9#pid34729 

There's a vintage version of this tale on Amazon Prime that I might have to check out later too.