Is Belle Movie True Story? Ending Explained, Plot, Release Date, Trailer, and More
by Janani
Updated Jul 15, 2023
Belle Movie 2013
"Belle" is a 2013 British period drama film directed by Amma Asante, written by Misan Sagay, and produced by Damian Jones. The film features a star-studded cast including Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Wilkinson, Miranda Richardson, Penelope Wilton, Sam Reid, Matthew Goode, Emily Watson, Sarah Gadon, Tom Felton, and James Norton.
Inspired by a 1779 painting depicting Dido Elizabeth Belle alongside her cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray at Kenwood House, the film explores the life of Dido Belle, who was born in the West Indies. Dido was the illegitimate mixed-race daughter of Sir John Lindsay, nephew of William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield, who served as the Lord Chief Justice of England.
After discovering Dido living in poverty, her father entrusts her to the care of Lord Mansfield and his wife. The fictional story revolves around Dido's relationship with a young lawyer and unfolds during a significant period of legal history. At the time, a court case known as the Zong massacre was being heard, involving the throwing overboard of slaves from a slave ship and the subsequent insurance claim by the owner.
Lord Mansfield's ruling on this case in England's Court of King's Bench in 1786 was seen as contributing to the passing of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in 1807.
Is Belle Movie True Story?
Yes, "Belle" movie is based on a True story. The film "Belle" explores the untold story behind the enigmatic portrait, shedding light on the relationship between the two women and unveiling a deeper narrative that challenges societal norms.
While wandering through Scone Palace in Scotland, one might come across a captivating portrait of two elegant women dressed in 18th-century attire, appearing to be affectionate sisters. However, what makes this painting intriguing is that one of the "sisters" is black.
This discovery intrigued Misan Sagay, a young British college student with Nigerian heritage, who was accustomed to being the only black individual in most British settings. The painting stopped her in her tracks during a visit to the palace near her university.
Sagay, a screenwriter, such as for "Their Eyes Were Watching God," was astonished by the portrait. The castle brochure identified only the white woman as Lady Elizabeth Murray. However, when Sagay returned to the palace a few years later, she noticed that the label now provided more information, identifying the black woman as Dido, "the housekeeper's daughter."
This revelation sparked Sagay's curiosity, as she felt there was more to the story than what met the eye. Motivated to learn more, she delved into the archives of the palace, enduring the drafty conditions in search of answers.
Years later, her efforts have culminated in the creation of "Belle," a screenplay written by Sagay, directed by Amma Asante, a British woman of Ghanaian descent, and starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, a British woman of South African descent.
Belle Movie Plot
Dido Elizabeth Belle Lindsay, born in 1761, was the daughter of Captain Sir John Lindsay, a British Royal Navy officer, and Maria Belle, an enslaved African woman. After her mother's death, Dido was taken from the West Indies by Captain Lindsay and entrusted to his uncle, Lord Chief Justice William Murray, and his wife Elizabeth. They raised Dido alongside their great-niece Lady Elizabeth Murray at Kenwood House in Hampstead.
As Dido and Elizabeth grew up, the Mansfields commissioned a portrait of the two cousins. However, Dido feared that she would be portrayed as subordinate due to her mixed race. Dido's father passed away, leaving her a substantial inheritance, while Elizabeth would receive nothing from her father's new wife and stepbrother.
Lord and Lady Mansfield believed that no gentleman would marry Dido due to her mixed race. They decided that she would not be formally introduced to society and asked her to take on the role of housekeeper instead of marrying beneath her status. Meanwhile, Lord Mansfield agreed to mentor John Davinier, the son of a local vicar, in the field of law.
In 1783, Lord Mansfield presided over the case of Gregson v. Gilbert, which involved an insurance claim related to the Zong massacre, where slaves were thrown overboard from a slave ship. Dido, assisting her uncle, secretly shared correspondence with John to support the abolitionist cause. However, this led to a disagreement between Lord Mansfield and John, resulting in John's dismissal.
Dido's aunts, Lady Mansfield and Lady Mary Murray attempted to arrange a marriage between Dido and Oliver Ashford, whose family had ulterior motives. James Ashford, Oliver's bigoted brother, initially pursued Elizabeth but ended his courtship upon learning she had no inheritance. Oliver proposed to Dido, and she accepted, but she continued her secret meetings with John. James confronted Dido, insulting and harassing her.
Dido revealed James' true character to Elizabeth, offering her a portion of her inheritance as a dowry. Lord Mansfield discovered Dido's relationship with John and confronted them. John professed his love for Dido, leading her to break off her engagement with Oliver.
When the commissioned portrait was unveiled, Dido was portrayed as Elizabeth's equal, proving to Lord Mansfield that he could defy social conventions. Dido listened to Lord Mansfield's ruling on the insurance claim from the Zong massacre, where he exposed the officers' ulterior motives.
Outside the court, Lord Mansfield told Dido that she could only marry a gentleman. He agreed to resume John's legal apprenticeship so he could become a lawyer. Dido and John embraced, acknowledging their love for each other.
In the credits, it is revealed that Dido and John married and had two sons. Elizabeth was also married and had three children. Their portrait remained at Kenwood House until 1922 when it was relocated to Scone Palace, the birthplace of Lord Mansfield, near Perth.
Belle Cast
Here are the cast and character names of the Belle movie.
Cast Name
Character Name
Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Dido Elizabeth Belle
Tom Wilkinson
William Murray
Sam Reid
John Davinier
Emily Watson
Elizabeth Murray
Sarah Gadon
Lady Elizabeth Murray
Miranda Richardson
Lady Ashford
Penelope Wilton
Lady Mary Murray
Tom Felton
James Ashford
James Norton
Oliver Ashford
Matthew Goode
Captain Sir John Lindsay
Alex Jennings
Lord Ashford
Bethan Mary-James
Mabel
James Northcote
Mr. Vaughn
Belle Ending Explained
During the credits, we witness the union of Dido and John as they get married and start a family, blessed with two sons. Meanwhile, Elizabeth also enters into matrimony and becomes a mother to three children.
The painting of the two women, symbolizing their unique bond, remained on display at Kenwood House until 1922. At that point, it found a new home at Scone Palace, located near Perth, which holds significance as the birthplace of Lord Mansfield.
Belle Movie Trailer
Is Belle Movie True Story? - FAQ
Yes, "Belle" movie is based on a True story.
The film "Belle" was directed by Amma Asante.
The film features a star-studded cast including Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Wilkinson, Miranda Richardson, Penelope Wilton, Sam Reid, Matthew Goode, Emily Watson, Sarah Gadon, Tom Felton, and James Norton.
The film "Belle" is inspired by a 1779 painting depicting Dido Elizabeth Belle alongside her cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray at Kenwood House. It explores the life of Dido Belle, who was born in the West Indies.
The film revolves around Dido Belle's life as the illegitimate mixed-race daughter of Sir John Lindsay, nephew of Lord Chief Justice William Murray. After discovering Dido living in poverty, her father entrusts her to the care of Lord Mansfield and his wife. The story focuses on Dido's relationship with a young lawyer and takes place during a significant period of legal history, specifically during the Zong massacre court case.