Gandhi

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding movie of the peaceful warrior
Review: A wonderful movie this is. Sir Richard Attenborough's 1982 Acadaemy Award Winner for Best movie shows his direction and insight into the first leader of independent India Mohandras Gandhi. The movie is reafirming to those who choose peace and love instead of violence and hatred.

Ben Kingsley gives a convincing and mesmorising portrayal of Mohandas Gandhi, the peaceful warrior. Kingsley rightly deserved the 1982 Oscar for Best Actor. From the moment you first see Gandhi in the movie you forget it is Ben Kingsley playing him, and start to think it is Gandhi. The movie is shot in some beautiful places in India as well as the not so beautiful places such as the riots in the large cities. Either way, the movie gives the important events in the history of India during and after British occupation in an unflinchingly manner.

I consider Mohandras Gandhi a personal hero of mine and his hatred of violence but his refusal to kneel down to racism, opression of the poor and wrong doing in the name of greater empire glory is a message all of humanity should know about. His words and insight are so revelant to the world today even 50 years after his death. This is a movie that captures the insight of Gandhi, it shows the personal struggle of him and the people of India during the time of British occupation and its eventual freedom. Also shown is the tragic conflict at the time between the newly independent India and the new Islamic Nation of Pakistan and what Gandhi tried to do to bring the two cultures together peacefully. Unfortunately today there is still suspicion and hatred between the two nations. But we all should hope that peace will eventually spread throughout the two nations and the world.
What an excellent movie this is and is highly recommended to everyone.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but way too long
Review: I can usually sit through a 3+ hour film, but this movie nearly hits 4 hours. Ouch. The movie is interesting, but it is way too long. This is the incredible profile of Mahatma Gandhi. It starts with a train scene in which Gandhi is told to get off the train because he is colored. He is pressed into action and leads a rebellion against the unfair pass laws. South Africa tries to stop the man, but soon they realize, that with his influence expanding, they must give in. A compromise is made, and Gandhi has won a victory. Yet his battle is just beginning.

This is an outstanding flick, and an entertaining epic, yet it is just too long. The events in the middle of the film slow the film down even more, reducing the action to a crawl. It is just agonizing to know that the movie is great and boring at the same time. Still, outstanding acting from Kingsley, John Gielgud, etc. (and with a small appearance by Martin Sheen as a journalist), excellent photography, great themes and true character, Gandhi is a rare find. Just try to get through the middle and you're in for a ride. -m-

Rating:
Summary: Masterpiece.
Review: This movie won best picture of 1982. Can't remember what the other nominees were but I am quite sure this was the best from 1982. If Ben Kingsley was not around, I really don't think that Richard Attenborough could have made this movie. His resemblance with the real Gandhi is scary. During his interview, he recollected that even family members(who were still alive during filming) approved of his portrayal. It is an important movie that needs to be seen by everyone, especially after the event of Sep 11, 2001. The 190 minutes movie somehow manage to tell us what we need to know about Gandhi. There are some special features on the DVD, which include interview with Ben Kingsley. The DVD picture transfer is good. The Dolby 5.1 is quiet most of the time as this movie is 90% dialogue, but there are some nice left and right separation for the front channel (people moving across the room, vehicles moving from left to right). Overall this is a must buy DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Darling......
Review: Half way through this DVD we get an intermission. What are we meant to do, jump up and down yelling "long line Ghanja-di" (or whatever it is) while the drums bang? Go and make some tea? Twiddle our thumbs? It may be authentic, but not needed as we can stop DVD anytime. Moving it on is the tricky bit.
Attenborough has a good eye for widescreen. He's not a great artist, but a good showman. He took broad strokes. Too broad for some. See ex-Goldcrest producer Jake Eberts book 'My Indecision Is Final' for a fascinating behind the scenes look at the production process and distribution deal.
There is also an interview with Kingsley. His praise of Guilgood is over the top. Remember "then we'll deal with the Mahatma" (Dan-dan!) He should have included the anecdote he gave in another interview in which he brilliantly mimics Sir Dickie's conversation with an Indian assistant director. "Darling, have we got clearance for the scene tomorrow?" - "Yes, Dickie." - "Darling, do we have clearance for the scene tomorrow? - "Yes, Dickie." - "Darling, DO we have clearance for tomorrow?" - "No."

Rating:
Summary: An epic film in only an above average DVD
Review: I've eagerly waited for this movie to come out on DVD for quite some time. Like many films in Columbia's archives (e.g. Lawrence of Arabia), Gandhi has taken its time to find its way to DVD. As a DVD package, Columbia Tri-Star has done an interesting, yet only minimal job. The Gandhi DVD case comes in a special translucent plastic sleeve with a color photo illustrated Wall Street Journal review insert. Of the DVD extras, of interest is an interview with Ben Kingsley, with his recollections of the production, including many insights into the behind-the-scenes workings and his own methods and feelings about working alongside many of Britain's "Knights of the Cinema" (e.g., Sirs John Gielgud, John Mills, et al). Of historical interest is a collection of period newsreels including one rare recording of the real Gandhi. (A minor embarrassment occurs in the Actor's filmography section where for Trevor Howard a photo of John Mills is displayed!) In comparison with Columbia Tri-Star's special releases of Lawrence of Arabia and Bridge on the River Kwai, this release of Gandhi on DVD pales in comparison. While the inter-option transitions are smoothly animated and the extras earn this DVD a higher ranking than say any of the meager DVD offerings that Paramount has offered to date, what Kingsley himself calls one of the "last epics," Gandhi has only been given "above average" DVD treatment.

Rating:
Summary: Begins to give the West an understanding of Gandi
Review: Gandi is grossly misunderstood by most Western people, and is not appreciated for the depth of his personal achievements. This film does a great service in beginning to introduce him to the West.

To be honest, even this epic movie doesn't capture the most important part of his life. It concentrates mostly on the political events and under-emphasises the personal transformation he went through. I recommend you check out "Gandi the Man" by Eknath Easwaran... (ISBN: 0915132974).

Rating:
Summary: Misses the mark
Review: I have to say that when I first saw this movie in 1982, I liked it a fair amount. However, since then I read Gandhi's autobiography (The Story of my Experiments with Truth), and when I saw the movie again recently it suffered a lot by comparison. Is it still a good movie? Yes. Does Ben Kingsley deserve praise? Yes. But, and it is a big one, does it capture the essence of Gandhi? and I have to answer NO. I think anyone who reads the book must agree with this.

If you know little about Gandhi or if you just enjoy good acting and if you liked "Lawrence of Arabia" then you will probably like this movie. I understand that to capture a man like Gandhi on film is not a task for the faint-hearted, and Attenborough deserves praise for the effort. I am giving it four stars mainly for that reason. If, after watching the movie, you feel interested in learning more about Gandhi, I urge you very sincerely to borrow or buy a copy of his autobiography.

I do plan to buy the DVD version when it comes out, because I see it includes some rare newsreel footage of the Mahatma.

Rating:
Summary: Resistance.
Review: Pauline Kael said something funny about this movie: "When I left the theater after watching *Gandhi*, I felt the same way that the British must have felt after leaving India: exhausted and relieved." Amen, sister. This was a project that Sir Richard Attenborough spent 20 years trying to realize. (Why bother?) It came out in 1982, and, indeed, reflects the style of "epics" that were popular when Mr. Attenborough first conceived this project two decades before: sprawling, massive, dull. In other words, it's a David Lean movie. (Who, btw, was to over-go and correct *Gandhi* with his splendid *A Passage to India*, perhaps his best work.) Don't get me wrong: there are indeed plenty of reasons to make a movie about the Mahatma. I merely observe that laboring to present a solemnly worshipful, sanitized, "official" portrait of the man is not the best reason. Beyond the motives for the movie, it's blandly simple, storywise. Attenborough chose to alternate incessantly between two basic scenes: first, there are Gandhi's policy ideas, commandments, and words of wisdom delivered for our edification -- never subject to debate, incidentally, just simply laid down as THE LAW; followed by merciless beatings and massacres of the Indian people by the British. I do not judge. I merely observe that 3 hours of alternation between speaking and clubbing, pontificating and beating, reveals a profound lack of narrative expertise. However, Ben Kingley's portrayal of the Mahatma is charming, effective, fully worthy of the Oscar he received, and the prime justification for this movie in the first place.

Rating:
Summary: Richard Attenborough's Best Movie
Review: 'Gandhi' is the most authentic movie I have seen on a political figure's life. The storyline from the beginnings in South Africa right thorugh the independence struggle to the final dramatic moments are all shown in a grandeour rarely seen in movies. The movie keeps the storyline on Gandhi throughout and it makes for more realistic and gripping viewing. Its shows the independence struggle in its full glory. The acting is very realistic, specially by Ben Kingsley and Rohini Hattangadi. The number of Oscars for the movie in most of the categories are a testament to the accuracy and vision of the director in bringing the life and times of Gandhi to the big screen accurately and truthfully.

Rating:
Summary: Can't be any better!
Review: This is what I call a classic of all times. It just can't be made any better. I own a VHS copy of it and am waiting for the DVD for two years now. I am sure Columbia will make it as nice as Lawrence of Arabia.

If you are a movie lover and like collecting movies don't waste $4 bucks renting it. Just BUY IT!!!