Rating: 
Summary: The Greatest Performance of the 20th Ca.
Review: Should the Academy of Motion Pictures ever choose to select the greatest films and performances of the 20th ca, I'm fairly certain "Gandhi" would be in the top 5 Best Movie nominees; but there is no doubt Ben Kingsley would win for Best Actor. Kingsley would not win based on his acting ability alone, although few (if any) in the industry's history have been better. Richard Attenborough was clearly a driving force, a superb filmmaker who spent decades crafting and refining this movie. Another force was the Indian people themselves, who become enraptured with Kingsley, lending believability to the speeches and funeral scene and enhancing Kingsley's performance. But the greatest credit clearly goes to Gandhi himself, whose meditations upon Hindi and Christian and Islamic principles crafted a philosophy of non-violent non-cooperation that brought about the peaceful independence of all Southeast Asia and prevented civil war. When you bring talent like Kingsley's and Attenborough's together with the content of Gandhi's life, you cannot help but have a masterpiece. Kingsley is the lynchpin to this movie. Beyond his visual resemblance to Gandhi, the physical movements, the subtle tonal inflections, and beyond the incredible range of emotion and passion Kingsley brings to the screen, his portrayal of Gandhi through 5 distinct phases in his life are what make his performance monumental. We start with Gandhi a young man, mid 20's, working as a lawyer in South Africa. He is treated unfairly and thrown off a train (in retrospect, one of the biggest blunders ever made by the British Empire). The first phase, then, is the young lawyer outraged at injustice, unclear how to direct his outrage but with a firm moral base. As the film progress in South Africa, we see Gandhi become a strong leader, with the principles of non-violence resistance taking form and outrage directed against specific unjust laws. Here the young Gandhi is a man of outward passion. Gandhi accomplishes his goals in South Africa and returns to India. The Indian Congress sees him as a potential leader, but Gandhi is unsure about the innate morality of independence. Under the recommendation of Gokale, he travels throughout India and observes the injustice to the masses, not just by the English but by radical and violent Indians themselves. He gives his first powerful speech to Congress, chastising them for not understanding the plight of the masses. Here begins the second phase - the fight for independence not for political reasons, but for moral reasons. His outrage is directed at the general injustice of foreign rule, not simply one law. Again fiery, his passion is redirected against injustice in general, and he begins general campaigns against British industry. His first major crises occurs when violence erupts, killing 21 policemen. Gandhi realizes that independence can only come about if dignity and self-determination are restored to the people, and that violence restores neither. So where almost surely independence would have come to India 20 years earlier than it eventually did, Gandhi stops the campaign. He is immediately arrested. Upon release, Gandhi looks inward to realize that nonviolent acts directed against something does not in itself restore dignity, but upon the restoration of dignity people will non-violently refuse to be treated unjustly. Gandhi marches to the sea, where he encourages the masses to make salt in direct violation of British law. The British are powerless - the Indians will not fight, they will not capitulate, they will not cooperate, and the government falls to pieces around them. This is the third phase - the fire is turned inward with the realization that the fight is not against a foreign power, but to restore dignity within ourselves. Independence comes, but at a price. While the masses maintained nonviolence in their struggle against the British, it proved impossible to maintain against the deepest religious fears and bigotries. Violence erupts, thousands die. Greater India splits between India and Pakistan, and the nations teeter on all-out war. Here is the brief fourth phase: That all he had accomplished was meaningless. The fire is gone from Gandhi, he is a defeated man. As he states, "I cannot stand to see the destruction of all that I have fought for." In this horrible setback is the final transformation, where Gandhi transcends from leader and teacher to a true Saint. He begins his last fast, a fast with conviction in his principles that reverberate throughout India and Pakistan. With his fast he conveys that his principles were not just to gain independence, not just to gain the easy and desirable goals - they were the principles of God, God's Way. The fire that had burned all his life was now buried deep inside but cut like a laser in his surety of God's Law. "Eat! I am going to Hell..." a distraught man tells him, "...but not with your death on my soul."
"Only God knows who goes to Hell." Gandhi replies.
"I KILLED A CHILD! I SMASHED HIS HEAD AGAINST A WALL!!"
"Why?"
"They killed my son. The Muslims killed my son..."
"I know a way out of Hell." Gandhi replies. "Find a small child, a little boy, whose parents have been killed, and raise him as your own.... ...Only be sure he is a Muslim, and that you raise him as one..." Gandhi's fast stops the violence and ends the civil war. In this final phase, Gandhi is no longer the leader, the fighter, the outraged. He is simply God's messenger, bringing His Way. Kingsley portrays these transformations subtly and convincingly, so that we are lost in the story of the man, forgetting we are watching the portrayal of a man. That is what makes this movie so great, and Kingsley's performance the greatest of all.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Film Ever Made
Review: Hollywood take note, this is probably the best film ever made. Without a doubt it's the best of the modern era. You'd have to go back to 1939 to find such a story driven movie with acting and production values at this level. The film lives up to the man, no easy feat. I didn't even notice the three hour length. Casting directors - start chasing Kinglsey again for any role he wants, sadly he's been swept under the rug and typecast. I'm betting he can pull off any role if only given the chance. Not just Kinglsey though, ALL the actors in this were superb. The sets are utterly magnificent; the story as true as can be for a film and a very valuable history lesson to boot. I'd give it 6 stars if possible. It's THAT good. Gandhi sets the standard by which all other movies should be judged. Peace.
Rating:
Summary: Superb! Both entertaining and informative!
Review: Ben Kingsley was an excellent choice to portray one of history's most celebrated martyrs. As with all other films of this type, a familiarity with the history of the nation and life of the central character is necessary to fully appreciate the quality of the picture. Viewing this film is like watching history come alive; everything presented here so vividly accounts for the life of the man who vigorously sought non-violent ways to obtain the independence of his country and people. Watch it, and see why it was the Motion Picture Academy's choice for Best Picture.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent film.
Review: I'd like to say, this film is probably one of my top 10 favorites. Very well scripted, and very well directed, same goes for the soundtrack to it as well. Though that's the only problem I have, why can't these greedy record companies re-release the soundtrack on cd for myself to spend 15-25 dollars on, instead of having to buy a used LP at some record shop and have to buy a record player for myself to be able to listen to it. Hey, I got a message for you RIAA, why don't you re-release this score and you'll score yourself some cash of mine, and we'll both be happy, agreed? While your at it, why don't you re-release the soundtrack to 'Mobsters' as well. Maybe if these cds were available to buy, people wouldn't feel the need to download them from the internet! Later
Rating:
Summary: The True Epic Biopic
Review: The night I watched this movie, I was as tired as I had ever been in my life. Unfortunately, the movie I was about to watch and not get out of was Gandhi, and it just so happened to be three hours and ten minutes long. Luckily, that was this movie's only flaw. I recommend this movie to any breathing, living person on this planet. It may just change how you think. This movie not only perfectly captured the life of Gandhi, but it also captured the horrors of ethinic conflict and war. The entire time I was thinking about how disgusting the way white people treated "colored" people in those days was. Any movie that jolts me with this much emotion I will love. I believe that is what makes a great movie. It really captures you as if you are a fish, but you do not die and become dinner. You are thrown back after feeling the harshness of the outside world. That is exactly how I felt. And because of that, I would really consider this one of the best movies ever made. The acting was not alone as one of the best things about this movie. Two words: Ben Kingsley. He was exactly what the movie needed. His transition from an unknown individual to a strong-willed, life-changing man is so crystal-clearly acted that you are left with amazement. Wow! That is all I have to say. Once again, I must state my disclaimer: THREE HOURS AND TEN MINUTES LONG! Please, please don't watch this movie at night or when you're tired. And if you have to, make some coffee. You really need to keep your eyes and your hearts open. Bottom Line: By far one of the greatest movies ever made...period! (I give it an A+)
Rating:
Summary: History comes alive!
Review: Anyone who has already seen "Gandhi" doesn't need me to tell them how great this movie is. Over twenty years after its initial release, it still has the power to touch viewers of all ages on a deeply emotional and personal level. That's because its basic message of love, peace, and harmony - or at least the human desire to aspire to them - is timeless and universal. As a high-school world history teacher, this is the only full-length feature movie which I use in my classroom. For the past six years, year after year, I have watched hundreds of teenagers become fully engaged in this movie. Rarely does it occur that one of them finds nothing of value in this story. In just a little over three hours, so much history is brought to life in "Gandhi." While individual clips can be used at various points in a modern world history curriculum, I have found the movie most valuable when it is show continuously, in its entirety, after students have already been made familiar with all of the appropriate thematic topics. "Gandhi" addresses all of the following:
1) the Apartheid system of South Africa
2) the impact of European colonialism
3) the Indian home rule movement
4) non-violent, civil disobedience
5) Hinduism and Islam (Hinduism does get much more attention)
6) the partition of India and Pakistan
When one considers the current state of affairs between India and Pakistan, the relevance of this movie to current affairs becomes unquestionable. Over half a century after Gandhi's death, his message has continued to be an inspiration for millions, from all walks of life - from Martin Luther King Jr. to Cesar Chavez to John Lennon to the students in my class. Sure, the movie's portrayal of the historical figure of Gandhi is not entirely historically accurate - and it's important to discuss this with any class before, during, and after a viewing of this movie. But I challenge anyone to find ANY movie which is 100% on the mark. As historical based movies go, Gandhi is as good as they come.
Rating:
Summary: Trully inspirational
Review: It's so comforting to know there are still values in mankind. It is so inspirational to know that there have been people who have won some of the hardest wars in peace and respect for human nature. I have rarely been touched by history as much as I have been by looking closer at Gandhi's life. If we only had more such people on earth, we can live in hope that mankind will not cease to exist. This movie will not only give you a deep sense of history but also leave you with a deep sense of humanity and humility. A trully beautifully crafted movie that pays respect to a trully great man. Great performances, excellent transfer on DVD, trully captivating and inspirational.
Rating:
Summary: A FILM ABOUT PEACE AND HOW ONE MAN GAVE THE WORLD HOPE
Review: I CAN'T SAY MUCH ABOUT THIS FILM, IT WAS DONE BRILLANTLY AND GAVE US A LOOK INSIDE THE MIND OF A MAN AND HIS STRUGGLE FOR PEACE. WATCH THIS FILM AS IT COMES TO LIFE, BEN KINGSLEY IS BRILLANT AS GANDHI AND FOR HIS PORTRAYL OF THIS GREAT LEADER OF PEACE HE WON THE OSCAR FOR BEST ACTOR IN TOTAL THIS PICTURE WON 9 ACADEMY AWARDS INCLUDING ''BEST PICTURE'' A FILM ABOUT ONE MAN AND HIS SEARCH FOR NON VIOLENT TACTICS. PEACE IS IN ALL OF US ---WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER FOR ONLY LOVE CAN CONQUER HATE--MARVIN GAYE
Rating:
Summary: Awesome DVD set!!!
Review: This DVD comes with an incredible amount of extras for a long movie. I especially enjoyed the interview with Ben Kingsley and the newsreel footage of Ghandi's travels. The audio and video quality is top notch. The package is worthy of such a great film. I can't praise this DVD enough!
Rating:
Summary: An interesting look at a fascinating man
Review: I watched Sir Richard Attenborough's epic Gandhi as a child, and now that I own the DVD, I can say that I find this film as fascinating and awesome as I did back then. Ben Kingsley turns in a wonderful performance as Gandhi, the attorney-turned-activist who fought for an independent India not with weapons, but with passive resistance and words. From the Mahatma's early days as an attorney in South Africa all the way through to his assassination, Sir Ben Kingsley portrays Gandhi with such searing intensity that I sometimes felt as if I was seeing the Mahatma himself and not the actor portraying him. I also have to give a nod here to the wonderful cast of Indian actors who appeared in the film, but most notably to Roshan Seth, who played Pandit Nehru. I have seen this versatile actor in several other films, but I think that he really shines as Nehru, Gandhi's friend and advisor. This must have been an intensely personal project for someone such as Mr. Seth, who was about 5 when the Mahatma was assassinated, and he carries himself well in the role. The extras on this DVD were quite a good mix; I especially found the newsreel footage of Gandhi to be quite interesting. Although I was a bit troubled by the lack of a Hindi language track, I gave the DVD 5 stars because I figured it was an oversight on the studio's part that can be corrected in subsequent releases, and not something for which one can lay blame on Sir Richard Attenborough. All in all, a great DVD that I will definitely find easy to recommend to friends and family.
| 
