A legendary collection of miniature paintings have been locked up in the storeroom of an Indian palace for years; the collection's fame attracts a group of art lovers and fortune seekers who converge simultaneously on the palace.
Acting
Peggy Ashcroft's magnificent side-eye could kill a man.
Direction
Ivory's early, playful looseness before Room With a View.
Cinematography
The paintings—and palace—shot with genuine reverence.
Director
James Ivory
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Merchant-Ivory's first film shot entirely in India, and they made it for under $500,000—pocket change even in 1978.
The miniature paintings central to the plot are real Mughal and Rajput works; Ivory's uncle actually collected similar pieces, which inspired the story.
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