Key Scene Analysis - ​Victoria and Abdul

Techniques Examples Impact on Responders Link to context, representation of culture

Onscreen text “Based on true events… mostly” The opening onscreen text and establishment The image of Abdul praying portrays his Islamic
Opening Agra 1887 shot places responders within a specific context religion and places his character within this context,
Establishment - a time and a place in history. The panoramic representing one of the many religions practised in
shot image of the Indian landscape with the India. The on-screen text reveals to viewers that India
Non-diegetic distinctive Taj Mahal in that background has been ruled by Britain, suggestive of the
music positions viewers within the specific context. Commonwealth’s oppressive nature.

Traditional style Indian non-diegetic

music
“Britain has formally ruled India for
29 years”

Low angle close up The low angle close-up of Adbul rushing down
Symbol the stairs is suggestive of Abdul’s power or
influence as he appears to be large in size. The
image of feet is symbolic of travel, movement,
growth and journey.
The stairs capture the context of India in 1887 - the
places of residence and the lifestyle of those living in
India.

Perspective Shots The perspective shots of Abdul
moving through the market stall
lined streets
The images of Abdul moving through the streets
capture the vibrance and richness of the Indian
culture. This is firmly supported by people
working, the colours, the food and the good
people are selling.
This movement through the streets presents India as
a country that has much to offer such as spices and
other products, but beyond this, its people and
culture.
Mid shot The traditional Indian costume of Abdul is This exchange is indicative of the tensions that exist
Diegetic contrasted to that of the British officer who is with the oppression of India by Britain.
sound/dialogue disrespectful to Abdul.
Costume

The British officer bumps into Abdul

and states “Idiot”

Montage The montage of Abdul moving into
Symbol the Prison. Images of Prisoners,
bars, guards and people living in
squalid conditions.
The prison images highlight the impact of British
and Indian conflict.
This montage represents the context by depicting the
impact of the British culture as being oppressive,
treating the Indians as slaves, diminishing them as
people and humans, neglecting them. Mistreating
these people in prison

Diegetic Abdul: “A mohur sir?”
sound/dialogue Guard: “A mohur. Some sort of
Irony ceremonial coin. I’ve been asked to
Mid shot find someone tall to present it.
You’re all the tallest person here”.
The irony of presenting the Queen with a This moment is significant as it portrays the British
mohur, a ceremonial coin that is meant to be a officers total disregard of the Indian culture and
traditional Indian gift is ironic as Abdul, an Abdul as a significant contributor to Indian society.
Indian man, does not know what it is. He is
simply chosen for this task based on his height -
another element of irony present in this
moment.

Non-diegetic “We had to swap the tall one with The movement of the frame over the Bombay This is significant as it shows that the British act and
music the short one” Port juxtaposes the chaotic nature of the Indian look more civilised making them think that they are
Diegetic port to the firmness and seriousness of the better than the Indians who live in a messy
sound/dialogue Dolly shot of the Bombay port British culture, positioning responders to see environment.
Dolly shot contrasts in the two cultures. The ceremonial
Juxtaposition Trumpet fanfare trumpeting fanfare further supports the
contrasts as it opposes the previous traditional
Indian music viewers heard.
Diegetic sound The Queen snoring This frame shows us the room that the queen is This is significant because it shows how wealthy and
Long shot sleeping in making us think about how she is powerful she maybe. This also tells us a little bit
treated and how wealthy she may be just by about the character.
seeing the environment she is in. The diegetic
sound is coming from the person making it feel
like she is actually sleeping.

Irony The long-shot shows us the background that This is significant as it shows that the British are
Long shot they are in and you can tell that it looks a lot proud of what they think civilisation is. This scene
Diegetic better then what it did in India. The irony is seen also shows that the British don’t really care for the
sound/dialogue when the beggars are asking for money but the people who are poor and are begging for money.
Indians don’t know what to do and just follow
the person.
Mr Brigg’s declaring “Civilisation” as
he stands near a beggar is ironic.