The Far Pavilions

The Far Pavilions is an epic novel of British-Indian history by M. M. Kaye, first published in 1978, which tells the story of an English officer during the Great Game. Based partly on biographical writings of the author's grandfather, the novel, though rooted deeply in the romantic epics of the 19th century, has been hailed as a masterpiece of storytelling.

Adaptations

• In 1983 Peter Duffell directed a Goldcrest-produced epic three-part mini series based on the novel starring Ben Cross as Ashton, Amy Irving as Anjuli, Omar Sharif as Koda Dad and Christopher Lee as Kaka-ji Rao. The mini series ran 316 minutes, a theatrical edit of which ran 140 minutes (Titled "Blade Of Steel"), cutting out half the story. Although conventional in storytelling and photography, the mini series has ample production value and is faithful to the book, cutting short only the youth of Ashton before his return to India. The epic score by Carl Davis has become a much sought-after collector's item.
• A stage adaptation as a musical premiered at the London Shaftesbury Theatre in April 2005.