In this feature, first published in June 2014, Nisha Lilia Diu reveals the true story that inspired it. Instead, it was probably painted by a Scot named David Martin who painted a famous portrait of Lord Mansfield. Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2014/05/05/belle-true-story-movie-details-changed/8419041/, (Photo: David Appleby, Fox Searchlight Pictures), Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 January 2017. I thought I was learning about Belle but haven't yet had her story. Paula Byrne is the author the bestselling biographies ‘Perdita’, ‘Mad World’, ‘The Real Jane Austen’, ‘Belle’, ‘Kick’ and ‘The Genius of Jane Austen’. Please try again. In Belle, the filmmakers say the overall truth remains but they took a few liberties with the details. The truth is often slippery in a movie inspired by history, especially when there's not that much in the written record to begin with. Belle is of a mixed race. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Sorry, there was a problem saving your cookie preferences. I haven't seen that yet, but I imagine that it will be a 'full-on' romantic costume drama. Sam Kinchin-Smith picks up the story where the movie left off… *Spoiler alert* If you’re yet to see Belle and you don’t want to know how it ends, it might be best to read this post after you’ve seen the film! It sheds light on a story -- based on true events though fictionalized to a degree here -- that could have languished in history books and dissertations if not for director Amma Asante and lead actress Mbatha-Raw, who've turned it into cinematic reality. For Dido Belle was the illegitimate, mixed-race daughter of a Royal Navy captain and a slave woman, adopted by the Earl of Mansfield. (Photo: David Appleby, Fox Searchlight Pictures). Inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, this powerful film stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw as the mixed-race daughter of a British Navy officer raised by her wealthy … Facts are fired at you about the slave trade, which we all know about, and lots and lots of names are fired at you without a story to hang them on. Anyway, read it before you see the film. The painting: It is unsigned but long thought to have been painted in 1779 by renowned portraitist Johann Zoffany. It is "unique in British art of the 18th century in depicting a black woman and a white woman as near equals". ‘A touching account … artfully constructed’ Sunday Times, ‘The theatrical zest of the narrative, which is a tie-in with a movie of the same name, holds it all together’ The Times, ‘A lovely, female-centric romance that completely reinvents the period movie in a way that will resound for quite some time’ Empire, ‘Elegant and emotionally satisfying … this handsome period piece tells a continually fascinating, unusually layered story’ Variety. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 June 2014. I read this for book club and will not give it a good review. Unfortunately, a lack of actual sources prevents Dido Belle's life being described in any detail whatever the title may claim. Based on a true story. The inspiration behind the powerful new film starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Wilkinson and Emily Watson, this is the story of Dido Belle, whose adoption by an aristocratic family challenged the conventions of 18th century England. Belle on DVD August 26, 2014 starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Wilkinson, Penelope Wilton, Sarah Gadon. Other uses. Complete Works of Jane Austen "English Novelist of Romantic Fiction"! "Based on the inspiring true story" Add to Watchlist Belle was written by Misan Sagay and was directed by Amma Asante, and Damian Jones produced Belle. A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Set in eighteenth century England, based on a true story, Dido Elizabeth Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) is the illegitimate, mixed-race daughter of Royal Navy Captain Sir John Lindsay (Matthew Goode) and a black woman with whom he had an affair while serving overseas. Visit Kenwood: https://goo.gl/JlOmvoWho was Dido Elizabeth Belle? The family commissioned a painting of Dido and Elizabeth. It is quite common to find that films have adapted the original stories.