Belle : the true story behind the movie

Acclaimed biographer and bestselling author of The Real Jane Austen, Paula Byrne, tells the extraordinary true story of Dido Belle, whose unique social standing became instrumental in the campaign to end slavery in England. Beautiful, wealthy and sophisticated, Dido Belle was a vision of 18th century aristocratic virtue - however, she was no ordinary 18th century Lady. Born to a captured slave mother and a captain in the Royal Navy, Belle was adopted and raised by the politically powerful Lord Mansfield - the Lord Chief Justice of England - and her mixed race and illegitimacy became the controversy of English high society. Now a feature film slated for release in May 2014, Belle's fascinating story highlights how her unique position in society challenged the harsh attitudes and complex social hierarchies of the time.