Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Period adaptation on colonialism, racism, sexual politics.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Heat and Dust
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In HEAT AND DUST, Anne (Julie Christie) travels to India in the 1980s to explore the life of her great-aunt Olivia (Greta Scacchi), whose time there during British colonial occupation is bathed in mystery and scandal.
Is It Any Good?
Based on a Booker Prize-winning novel by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, this sweeping period drama from producer-director duo Ismail Merchant and James Ivory still has plenty to say four decades on. The sets, costumes, and locations are typically stunning for a Merchant Ivory production, and Heat and Dust marks one of the last times the duo would use India as their stomping ground, before moving on to Western-set literary adaptations (A Room With a View, Howard's End, The Remains of the Day). At over two hours it's an ambitious film, and it lags in places as it jumps between timelines, but its themes of colonialism, discrimination, and sexual politics remain relevant. The acting is a little uneven, particularly early on, but Shashi Kapoor and Nickolas Grace stand out as The Nawab and his British guest Harry, and Christie and Scacchi make for vibrant leading ladies. This won't be remembered as one of Merchant Ivory's classics, but it's an enticing story beautifully rendered nonetheless, and one that won Jhabvala a BAFTA for her adapted screenplay.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of prejudice in Heat and Dust. In what ways did characters show prejudice? Why is it important to acknowledge and talk about prejudice—both in the past and current day?
How was India portrayed in the movie? How did it compare to other movies set in the same country?
Both Olivia and Anne showed curiosity and independence. Why are these important character strengths?
How did the film portray sex, relationships, and nudity? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Talk about the film's violence. Were you shocked by any particular scenes? Was it a surprise to see these scenes in a period drama like this? What's the impact of media violence on kids?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 15, 1983
- On DVD or streaming : December 12, 2017
- Cast : Julie Christie , Greta Scacchi , Shashi Kapoor , Christopher Cazenove
- Director : James Ivory
- Inclusion Information : Gay Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Universal Classics
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Book Characters , History
- Character Strengths : Curiosity
- Run time : 130 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Award : BAFTA - BAFTA Winner
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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