Rating: 
Summary: Finally on DVD. A beautiful rendition of Hesse's Siddhartha
Review: 1. The plot. The Nobel prize winner, Hermann Hesse, wrote Siddhartha in 1922. It is a novel about Eastern spirituality (many Indian scholars consider it as one of the few succesful examples of Indian philosophy presented by a Western author). Siddhartha is one of the names given to the Buddha himself. The novel narrates the pilgrimage of the son of a Brahmin, his struggle to find his own destiny; his friendship with Govinda (his "shadow"); his encounters with many different people: the Samanas (the ascetics that practice self-denial); Kamala (a courtesan who claims that she can teach and provide love as an art); Kamasawami (a rich merchant who becomes his boss); and Vasudeva... - note Vasudeva is another name given to Krishna, the teacher/driver of Arjuna in the Bhagavad-Gita). 2. The Movie. In 1972, Conrad Rooks (an almost unknown movie director who made "Chappaqua" in 1966) came out with a 94-minute movie transcription of Hesse's novel. He engaged Sven Nykvist (the famous Swedish cinematographer of Igmar Bergman) and a mainly Indian cast, including Shashi Kapoor (Siddhartha), Simi Garewal (Kamala), Romesh Sharma (Govinda) and Zul Vellani (Vasudeva). The beautiful music was composed by Hemanta Mukherjee (I hope the soundtrack will be available soon). It will be particularly enjoyable by those who had read the book. In many of the scenes the synergism produced by the photography, the music and the acting is superb. And with few excceptions, the movie is a good transcription of the book. The book and the movie became part of the "cult culture" of the West coast of the early seventies, but it never got the attention of the general public. With a condescending tone, Leonard Maltin refers to the movie as "too arty, but on-location photography ... is often dazzling".
Rating: 
Summary: Marvelous Music and Cinematography
Review: After a long wait Siddhartha was released on DVD. The first impression after watching this movie was-disappointment. I had read the book numerous times and knew the ups and downs of the story very well. But the stregnth and depths of major chracters was not played with the intensity as was portrayed in the book. Some of the sequences which were brilliantly concieved and told by Hermann Hesse lost its way in the movie. The relationship between Siddhartha and his childhood friend Govinda was shown very superficiously. The character of Vasudeva which is very deep and intense in the book was not taken seriously. The most memorable part of book where Siddharatha meets Buddha was shown in a hurry. Although movie doesnot live to the expectation of one who has read the book but still it has some very positive aspects. Cinematography and locations are extreamly good, the rendering and music of Tagore's poetry is absolutely marvelous.
Rating: 
Summary: Sad and Offensive
Review: As a Buddhist and a fan of the book this film not only offended me as a follower of the Buddha but as a fan of Mr. Hesse's novel. This film has nothing in common with the reality of either. The sound is not very good either. If this film were made of the story of Christ with the same liberty, the filmmaker would have been dragged through the streets. Fortunately, Buddhists just sigh and turn away.
Rating:
Summary: Sad and Offensive
Review: As a Buddhist and a fan of the book this film not only offended me as a follower of the Buddha but as a fan of Mr. Hesse's novel. This film has nothing in common with the reality of either. The sound is not very good either. If this film were made of the story of Christ with the same liberty, the filmmaker would have been dragged through the streets. Fortunately, Buddhists just sigh and turn away.
Rating: 
Summary: Cure for insomnia found
Review: Cinematographer Sven Nyquist, best known for his work with Ingmar Bergman, delivers some gorgeous visuals for this otherwise unremarkable film. _Siddhartha_ runs a mere eighty minutes (not counting the interminable closing credits), yet feels too long by half. Dull, dull, dull.
Rating:
Summary: a classic book on screen
Review: Conrad Rooks makes a sincere effort to adapt the Herman Hesse classic to screen and succeeds to a great extent. He pays much attention to Hesse's story and avoids taking away its soul. Siddhartha, a Brahmin's son leaves home in search of himself. He joins the sadhus and is not content, he meets the Buddha but even the great teacher cannot quench his thirst, he crosses the river to find Kamala, a beautiful courtesan. While his life as an ascetic is one extreme, his life with Kamala is another. Still discontent he crosses back the river to find the answers long evading him, by the banks of it. The story is set in the time of Buddha so best efforts are made to keep the setting authentic. The camera captures the landscape of India in its true form as Siddhartha travels with the sadhus. Rooks employed well known film stars of Indian cinema in his movie. Shashi Kapoor as Siddhartha and Simi Grewal as Kamala put in a sincere performances. They both look the part. Although many emotions are lost in the transition of a book to a film, this movie is an honest attempt of the filmmaker to translate the classic to this medium.
Rating:
Summary: a classic book on screen
Review: Conrad Rooks makes a sincere effort to adapt the Herman Hesse classic to screen and succeeds to a great extent. He pays much attention to Hesse's story and avoids taking away its soul. Siddhartha, a Brahmin's son leaves home in search of himself. He joins the sadhus and is not content, he meets the Buddha but even the great teacher cannot quench his thirst, he crosses the river to find Kamala, a beautiful courtesan. While his life as an ascetic is one extreme, his life with Kamala is another. Still discontent he crosses back the river to find the answers long evading him, by the banks of it. The story is set in the time of Buddha so best efforts are made to keep the setting authentic. The camera captures the landscape of India in its true form as Siddhartha travels with the sadhus. Rooks employed well known film stars of Indian cinema in his movie. Shashi Kapoor as Siddhartha and Simi Grewal as Kamala put in a sincere performances. They both look the part. Although many emotions are lost in the transition of a book to a film, this movie is an honest attempt of the filmmaker to translate the classic to this medium.
Rating:
Summary: A Unique Film
Review: I am at a loss to understand the one star reviews and most of the negative comments even in those that were more charitable.
In comparing the story as told by the film with that of Hesse's novel, I can only say that upon first reading the book long ago I was surprised and disappointed to find the story of its Siddhartha not that of the historical Siddhartha Gotama, said to have become the Buddha. I still do not understand that - whether it arose out of a hazy knowledge of the true story on Hesse's part or as a subtle literary or metaphysical device.
On first seeing the film, also long ago, it seemed somewhat flat to me, perhaps reminding me of the disappointment I had upon first reading the book. Now, thanks to the availability of the DVD, I have just seen it for the second time. There is depth, breadth and beauty in it I did not appreciate when I first saw it. I look forward to seeing (and hearing) it again, now whenever I wish.
It is not the story of the Buddha, but it shows much through which he might have passed and, more abstractly, through which any of us might pass.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating
Review: I first saw this movie on television in the UK in the late 1970s. I remember being non-plussed by the first thirty minutes or so of the picture but, to be honest, I was more of a fan of action TV and comedy then. As the story progressed I became more and more entranced by the tranquility of the film, I also felt as if many of the struggles the leading character was facing echoed the changes I was undergoing in my own life at that time. Were I a man of literary leaning or a devout and knowing Buddhist I may have seen the faults that other reviewers have pointed out but, as a "simpleton" in these matters, I remember finding the film to be simply and truly moving. The spirit of the film remained with me lifelong and I felt driven to enquire if the film was to be released on DVD. I was delighted to discover that the release was imminent. While waiting I dutifuly read the book and was delighted that the story was still so familiar. Twenty five yeas later the film does not dissapoint. Occasionaly it is a little strident in an architypal 70's way but, other than that, it remains quite enchanting and a tribute to the plaintive existence.
Rating:
Summary: wasted $32...
Review: my favorite book became a dull movie....
and I wasted $32 on this....the only two
parts that I liked: the interview with director
and the 9 blind sadhus singing.....
rent it, do not buy it....
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