The British film MAURICE, based on the novel of the same name by E.M. Forster, was filmed on location in England and Sicily in the autumn of 1986; see Segesta, Italy, for more information about the book and the film. During our visit to London, we visited the British Museum, where a scene at the end of the film takes place. An overview of all locations can be found on the website ReelStreets.
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| Maurice, 1:59:55 |
After Clive (Hugh Grant) ends his relationship with Maurice (James Wilby), he marries the wealthy Anne Durham (Phoebe Nicholls) and moves to the Pendersleigh estate. When Maurice is his guest, he meets the young gamekeeper Alec Scudder (Rupert Graves). They spend a romantic night together, but when Alec wants to meet again, Maurice misunderstands and thinks he wants to blackmail him. Maurice returns to London where Maurice works as a stockbroker.
Alec does not give up and goes to the London office. Somewhat embarrassed in front of his colleagues, Maurice takes Alec to the British Museum. This museum was founded in 1753 and is located on Great Russell Street. The current museum building was opened in 1857 and therefore already existed at the beginning of the 20th century, the time in which the story is set. With more than 8 million artefacts, including many from Classical Antiquity, the British Museum has one the largest collections in the world.
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| British Museum, London, 30 April 2025 |
In the pouring rain, Maurice and Alec arrive at the museum where the misunderstanding will be cleared up. During our visit, it was very sunny. Admission of the museum is free, but due to the large crowds, advance booking is recommended. See the website of the British Museum for more information.
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| Maurice, 1:56:22 |
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| British Museum, London, 30 April 2025 |
They visit the section with art from ancient Assyria, now northern Iraq, where they discover that the statues of winged lions with human heads have five legs. The statues were made around 860 BC to flank the entrance to the throne room in Ashurnasirpal's palace in Nimrud. The five legs suggest that the lions were intended to be viewed from the front or from the side, rather than from an angle.
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| British Museum, London, 30 April 2025 |
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| Maurice, 1:56:22 |
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| British Museum, London, 30 April 2025 |
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| Maurice, 1:56:58 |
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| British Museum, London, 30 April 2025 |
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| Maurice, 1:57:27 |
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| British Museum, London, 30 April 2025 |
While viewing the marble panels depicting scenes of war and hunting, Maurice is approached by Mr. Ducie (Simon Callow), his former teacher, who is visiting the museum with his family. He recognises his former pupil but cannot remember his name, after which Maurice causes even more confusion by introducing himself as Alec Scudder.
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| Maurice, 1:57:39 |
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| British Museum, London, 30 April 2025 |
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| Maurice, 1:58:29 |
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| British Museum, London, 30 April 2025 |
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| Maurice, 1:58:41 |
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| British Museum, London, 30 April 2025 |
Screenshots © Merchant Ivory Productions
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