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A sprawling epic, 'Gandhi' was the long cherished project of director Richard Attenborough. It took 20 years for his film to finally get the green light, but every one of those years spent waiting must have seemed worth it on wrapping this production.
Released in 1982, running to just ... Read review
In South Africa a young Indian lawyer is booted off a train for refusing to ride ... more
second-class. Upon his return to his native India and fed up with the unjust political system he joins the Indian Congress Party which encourages social change through passive resistance. When his "subversive" activities land him in jail masses of low-skilled workers strike to support his non-violent yet revolutionary position. Back in India Gandhi renounces the Western way of life and struggles to organize Indian labor against British colonialism. A strike costs many British soldiers their lives so the crown responds by slaughtering 1 500 Indians. Enraged the ascetic spiritual leader continues to preach pacifism until he has lead India out from under the tyranny of British imperialism.
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Production Year: 1989 - Drama - Director: Ken Cameron - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Nicole Kidman, Denholm Elliott, Hugo Weaving, Joy Smithers, Norman Kaye, Jerome Ehlers, Judy Morris
Production Year: 1993 - Drama - Director: Steven Spielberg - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall, Embeth Davidtz, Ben Kingsley, Jonathan Sagalle
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: Breathtaking in scale and characterisations Disadvantages: None
...to just over 3 hours, Gandhi is literally one of those films that provokes a 'they don't make 'em like that anymore'. They don't make them like this anymore, such attention and care devoted to the characters, the culture, the times, the places. Watching 'Gandhi' is an almost virtual history lesson, with Attenborough placing you straight into the life of Mohandas K Gandhi, former laywer, turned political leader. A man who looked beyond the hue of ... ...dignified peaceful manner in which Gandhi reacted to each beating, imprisonment, and shift in the goal posts of the law promises that the movie is never less than an emotional rollercoaster.
To his credit, Attenborough never lets sentiment cloud his telling of the story, and this is a biopic that suceeds on the achievements of the main character, and refuses to trade on the injustice meeted out to Gandhi, and his fellow politicians ... more
Strangely ironic that as right wing lunatic George W Bush pursues his dreams of war, I should sit down and reacquaint myself with this most wonderful of motion pictures.
A sprawling epic, 'Gandhi' was the long cherished project of director Richard Attenborough. It took 20 years for his film to finally get the green light, but every one of those years spent waiting must have seemed worth it on wrapping this production.
Released in 1982, running to just over 3 hours, Gandhi is literally one of those films that provokes a 'they don't make 'em like that anymore'. They don't make them like this anymore, such attention and care devoted to the characters, the culture, the times, the places. Watching 'Gandhi' is an almost virtual history lesson, with Attenborough placing you straight into the life of Mohandas K Gandhi, former laywer, turned political leader. A man who looked beyond the hue of skin, the religion, the beliefs, and spoke words of wisdom that still ring lound and clear nearly 60 years after his death.
In telling the story of Gandhi, Attenborough takes us back to his introduction to bigotry and racial segregation in South Africa where he worked as an attorney. Disgusted by the treatment that all non-whites encountered, he set in motion a slow policy of non-violent non-cooperation, whereby he, fellow countrymen, and those of a different skin colour refused to be treated as lesser people, and demanded to be recognised as equal members of the Commonwealth.
To say that this a moving picture would be a slight understatement. The continual injustice, and the dignified peaceful manner in which Gandhi reacted to each beating, imprisonment, and shift in the goal posts of the law promises that the movie is never less than an emotional rollercoaster.
To his credit, Attenborough never lets sentiment cloud his telling of the story, and this is a biopic that suceeds on the achievements of the main character, and refuses to trade on the injustice meeted out to Gandhi, and his fellow politicians and friends who believed that India belonged to the Indian people, whether Muslim, Sikh or Hindu.
The majority of the picture covers the slow, chipping away at the foundations of the British rule of India. Continuuing the same form of opposition as he used in South Africa, Gandhi united his country and shamed the British in their win-at-all-costs approach to keeping India within the Empire.
The most saddening aspect of the entire story is perhaps not his death at the hands of an assassin, but when finally achieving self rule, he had to witness carved up to appease the two main religions. After working so hard to break down barriers, he ultimately had to witness the segregation of Muslim and Hindus.
The cast which carries the weight of this story is superb, and Ben Kingsley is instantly believable as the great man, bringing fantastic depth and warmth to the part, keeping him human at all times and with Attenborough's direction and John Brileys script, Gandhi is never elevated beyond his status as a man. His achievements made him saintly, but the film keeps everyones feet firmly on the ground, and we never lose touch with him as a real character.
Roshan Seth is equally heartwarming as future Prime Minister of India, Pandit Nehru, with the ever reliable Saeed Jaffrey bringing life to the part of Sardar Patel. Alyque Padamsee gives an authorative performance as the founder of Pakistan, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, and the rest of the cast is a veritable who's who of British stage and screen. John Mills, John Gielgud, Michael Hordern, Trevor Howard, Gerald Sim, Edward Fox, Ian Bannen, Nigel Hawthorne and Richard Griffiths are just same of the familiar faces that crop up during the spellbinding 3 hours of 'Gandhi'. Candice Bergen and Martin Sheen both contribute fleeting appearances, and add to the depth of talent on screen.
Monstrous in scope, employing thousands upon thousands of extras, and taking in some of the most breathtaking locations in India, 'Gandhi' is a pleasure to watch. Captured on film by Ronnie Taylor (Cry Freedom) and Billy Williams (responsible for the eery sequences in Iraq for The Exorcist), 'Gandhi' drips with the colour and the splendour of India, and brilliantly depicts both the majesty of the Empire and the poverty in India.
On a project of this scale, nods must also go to the fantastic work done by the production designers, art directors and those in costume design. Nothing is less than perfect, and the funeral procession, which while only on screen for barely 2 minutes, is one of the most moving sequences I can recall in a movie.
Music is blend of traditional (Ravi Shankar) and incidental (George Fenton) and only enhances the production lending great atmosphere.
While the fim lacks the visual invention of a director like David Lean, and the dramatic story telling of long time collaborator Robert Bolt, what we get with 'Gandhi' is a very down to earth epic. Very willing to let the real events shine through, with little need for extra trimmings.
The version I watched was the DVD region 2 disc, which boasted a fine non-anormorphic transfer, an effective 5.1 sound mix, and a rather poor selection of extras. The splendid packaging tends to suggest a more feature packed disc than we get. The 20 plus minute one on one with Ben Kingsley is a fascinating / incredibly grating collection of memories of the production. There is a nicely presented but ultimately pointless photo montage making of. Soe words of wisdom from the great man, original newsreel footage and some talent bios and filmographies. Quite poor for a film that demanded so much more background information.
...the fight, dedication and determination Gandhi had to secure the countries independence. The film is both moving and very informative, its slow paced but that's the purpose of the film, its both dramatic and so powerfully moving. The film was a true appraisal of the life and legacy of Mahatma, it showed his beliefs, his coriage, power and determination to fight for a just cause. The film was brilliantly directed by Attenborugh, and is lead by a very ... ...known figure. We see how Gandhi gets assisnated during an evening walk in the garden, being shot by a young man and then shouting out "Oh God" before he dies.
The film then rewinds back to the early moments of Gandhi's movement for freedom. We don't get to see his childhood or any aspect of his parental life etc, it moves straight into the pivotal moment were Gandhi is thrown off a train in South Africa, because he was travelling in first class. ...
jaygami1986 12.02.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Gandhi (DVD)
Advantages: Star-studded cast,stunning scenery,brilliantly directed. Disadvantages: It is three hours long.
...possibly his finest role, as Gandhi and a host of top names, including Candice Bergen, Edward Fox, John Gielgud, Trevor Howard, John Mills and Martin Sheen.Released by Columbia Pictures, the film won eight Oscars in 1982.
The film opens in New Delhi on January 30th 1948.Whilst leading prayers, the Mahatma is assassinated by a Hindu fanatic. There follow scenes of international mourning, and a State funeral attended by the good and great, including ... ...from London.the year is 1893,and Gandhi is quickly introduced to the injustice of apartheid when he is unceremoniously ejected from a train, for having had the audacity, as an Indian, to expect to travel in a first class carriage. Further injustices lead him to begin his campaign against this corrupt system. He advocates passive resistance, non-co-operation and non-violence. He is savagely beaten and thrown into prison, but stands firm in his beliefs. ...
Suzan 07.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Gandhi (DVD)
Advantages: An exact account of Gandhi's entire life Disadvantages: Cynics think it is merely a self-congratulating movie
..."only Indian people can celebrate Gandhi and we are evil, attention-seekers to try to do this ourselves" the scale of the movie is incredible.
This is not an attention-seeking film - it is a poignant memorial to a great man. The film was directed by Richard Attenborough with help from Gandhi direct relations. It also is no holds barred in its portayal of the English and to some extent what became the Pakistanis.
John Geiguld plays immpeccably a ... ...written around the words of Gandhi and the situations he became involved in from the beginnings in South Africa to the torture and massacre in India.
The film charts the skill of a great political man, a loyal family man and covers in exceptional detail his ideas on non-confrontation and passive resistance. I believe the main power of this film is that while we can clearly see the English are the tyrants they are not made out to be the simple "Hollywood" ...
coleecip 05.11.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Gandhi (DVD)
Wow! Gandhi is long (over three hours), yet it seems that it could have even been longer. This masterpiece goes through the life of Mahatma Gandhi from his early days, through the Indian revolution, ending with his assassination. The cinematography is excellent, capturing the beauty of the Indian landscape, coupled with the tension of the Indian revolution. However, the focus is on Gandhi himself. After watching, you are struck with the amazing will ... ...people. Though immediate action is to fight back violence with violence, Gandhi advocates non-violence, which leads to an even more powerful statement. Only through great will power of a truly altruistic leader and unanimity of thought of all can success be achieved. And it is, though not without much bloodshed. ...
Advantages: A truly classic movie. Disadvantages: Not one to watch if you're short of time.
...obstacles put in his way, Gandhi refuses to submit to violence, prefering to keep the status quo rather than allow his followers to resort to physical force. Despite the weight of an Empire against him, Gandhi's message that 'right will prevail' comes to pass. An amazing film that does justice to one of the truly great men of modern times.
Ben Kingsley gives a powerful and sensitive portrayal in the title role, ably supported by the cream of British ...
shyrewode 28.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Gandhi (DVD)
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Advantages: Expanding and adding to an all time classic British comedy Disadvantages: Minor issue with the second disc sub-menu
involved, aspects of morality as well as the way in which they further develop the characters, (for example Lister trying to teach Kryten to lie in order to break his core programming).
As well as David Ross, a mention should be given to Judy Pascoe, (Robert Llewellyn's real-life partner) as Kryten's 'love-interest' in Camille. Also, various look-a-likes appear in 'Meltdown', from Gandhi and Queen Victoria, to Hitler and Noel Coward.
Once again the DVD comes as two discs and also includes a booklet. Like the other series', the rating of 12 I think is reasonable, though you could argue a PG may be more appropriate. I think they've aired on the side of caution, due to the mild references to sex and the infrequent violence, (I suppose some of the Curry-monster scenes might be considered 'violent', as well as moments in 'Dimension Jump ...
Theatrical Trailer, The Making Of Gandhi Photo Montage, The Words Of Mahatma Gandhi Featurette, Ben Kingsley Talks About Mahatma Gandhi, Newsreel Footage, Cast And Crew Filmographies, Animated Menus, Weblink, Director's commentary, Production featurette, Interview with the director
Best Screenplay Written Directly For The Screen 1983 (John Briley), Best Actor In A Leading Role 1983 (Ben Kingsley), Best Director 1983 (Richard Attenborough)
Professional reviews
Review
"...The embattled spirit of respect for human dignity and the need for mutual tolerance flow clearly through the film..." (Sight and Sound, p.64-5, 01/12/1982)
"...Eloquently expressive and technically exquisite....The score, springing from the talents of Ravi Shankar and George Fenton is a major plus in evocation of the film's many emotional variations..." (Variety, 24/11/1982)
DVD Description
The acclaimed dramatisation of the life of Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi, from his beginnings as a South African-educated lawyer through his historic, galvanizing struggle to free India from British Colonial rule. With a large, distinguished cast, headlined by Ben Kingsley in a nuanced performance, Sir Richard Attenborough's biopic is a classic of the genre. Academy Award Nominations: 11. Academy Awards: 9, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor--Ben Kingsley, Best (Original) Screenplay.
![Gandhi [Special Edition]-DVD](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/99177826.jpg "Gandhi [Special Edition]-DVD")
