Clive of India

Clive of India

Year: 1935

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: Richard Boleslawski

AdventureDramaWarActionHistory

In 1748 at Fort St. David in Cuddalore, southern India, the clash of empires over spice‑rich lands and the favour of native rulers provides the backdrop for Robert Clive (1725‑1774), a talented clerk of the East India Company. A single six‑word remark from a woman prompts him to make a bold choice that reshapes his destiny and the map of Asia.

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Timeline & Setting – Clive of India (1935)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Clive of India (1935). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Mid-18th century (1748 and after)

Set against the colonial struggles of 1748–1750s, the story follows British, French, Dutch and Portuguese clashes in India. It traces Clive's rapid rise from clerk to commander during a period of rapid territorial expansion. The narrative notes the annual monsoon and the imperial politics that influence decisions and battles.

Location

India, England

The film moves between 18th-century India under the East India Company and a sophisticated English backdrop. Key Indian settings include Fort St. George, Arcot and Trichinopoly, where sieges and campaigns unfold. The English homefront in London shows up as Clive's personal life and politics unfold; the monsoon season also shapes the military actions.

🗺️ Colonial conflict 🏰 18th-century empire 🛡️ Monsoon campaigns

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:36

Main Characters – Clive of India (1935)

Meet the key characters of Clive of India (1935), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Robert Clive (Ronald Colman)

A restless clerk who sees a destiny beyond the desk and becomes a fearless commander. He persuades the reluctant army to lift sieges, captures Arcot, and conquers southern India in under a year. His ruthlessness and clever diplomacy drive imperial expansion, even as his private life and loyalties become strained.

🎖️ Ambition 🗺️ Leadership 🛡️ Empire

Margaret Maskelyne (Loretta Young)

Edmund Maskelyne's sister who becomes Clive's wife and emotional anchor. She is drawn to Clive's vision but is overwhelmed by his public triumphs and the resulting distance between them. Her presence grounds the story in personal stakes amid grand historical events.

❤️ Romance 🛡️ Loyalty 🎭 Drama

Mir Jaffar (Cesar Romero)

A shrewd political operator who allies with Clive to secure power in India. He embodies the wariness of fragile alliances and the quiet, calculated nature of imperial politics. His collaboration ultimately underpins Clive's triumph, even as it carries moral ambiguity.

🧭 Power 🤝 Alliance ⚖️ Betrayal

Admiral Watson (Ferdinand Munier)

A cautious Royal Navy officer who resists signing a secret treaty, embodying the rule-bound counterweight to Clive's improvisational tactics. He represents institutional restraint in contrast to Clive's bold moves. His stance foils or delays strategic deals that alter the course of campaigns.

⚓ Authority 🧭 Principle 🕊️ Diplomacy

Edmund Maskelyne (Francis Lister)

Clive's ally and friend who starts as a clerk and moves into the army. He provides pragmatic counsel and loyalty, navigating the same perilous political landscape as Clive. His support helps sustain Clive’s ascent amid turmoil.

🧭 Loyalty 🗺️ Strategy 🤝 Friendship

Suraj Ud Dowlah (Mischa Auer)

Ruler of northern India who opposes Clive and becomes the target of his military campaign. He embodies the resistance that Clive must overcome to expand British control. The rivalry culminates in pivotal battles that shape the future of the region.

⚔️ Conflict 🏰 Power 🗡️ Rivalry

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:36

Major Themes – Clive of India (1935)

Explore the central themes of Clive of India (1935), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚔️ Ambition

Clive's sense of destiny drives him from a bored clerk to a bold military leader. His ambition fuels daring campaigns, risky political moves, and bold negotiations, altering the map of southern India. Yet the drive for glory comes at a personal and political cost, testing loyalties at home and abroad.

🏛️ Empire

The narrative centers on empire-building, where power, wealth, and control are earned through sieges, treaties, and political intrigue. Clive reshapes the balance of power in India by orchestrating victories and manipulating alliances. The film shows how imperial ambitions can both elevate a nation and corrupt its leaders.

💔 Romance & Loyalty

Margaret's arrival and marriage to Clive anchors a personal story amid political upheaval. Their relationship experiences strain as Clive's career consumes him, yet personal loyalty and affection intermittently pull him back. The romance highlights the human cost beneath epic conquest.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:36

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Ambitious Epics with a Heavy Moral Cost like Clive of India

Grand historical sagas where world-changing success is shadowed by personal and moral sacrifice.For viewers who liked the monumental scale and morally complex portrait of ambition in Clive of India. This thread gathers similar historical epics and biopics where the drive for power and legacy comes with a significant personal and ethical price tag, resulting in a bittersweet or questioning tone.

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Narrative Summary

These stories typically chronicle a rapid rise to power against a backdrop of war, politics, or empire-building. The protagonist's ambition is the driving force, leading to sweeping, fast-paced narratives of conquest. However, the central conflict is internal as much as external, culminating in a climax that questions the value of the achievements in light of the sacrifices made.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on grandiose ambition, fast-paced historical narratives, and a heavy emotional weight derived from the moral cost of success. They blend intense, high-stakes action with a bittersweet, contemplative tone regarding the legacy of their powerful figures.

Intense Wartime Romance Stories like Clive of India

Intense love stories forged in the crucible of war, tested by duty and sacrifice.If you liked the romantic subplot in Clive of India, where love is tested by the immense pressures of empire and war, explore these movies. They feature passionate relationships that are deeply entangled with the main high-stakes narrative, creating a powerful blend of personal drama and historical action.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a romance that begins or deepens during a period of intense conflict. The relationship's progression is directly impacted by battles, strategic decisions, and the psychological toll of leadership. The central tension often revolves around the choice between personal happiness and public duty, leading to a emotionally resonant, if not always happy, resolution for the couple.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their potent mix of a significant romance score with a high-tension, war-driven plot. They balance heavy emotional themes with fast-paced action, creating a specific vibe where love is both a motivator and a vulnerability for characters operating under extreme pressure.

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Clive of India Summary

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Clive of India Summary

Clive of India Timeline

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Clive of India Timeline

Clive of India Spoiler-Free Summary

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Clive of India Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Clive of India

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