Rating: 
Summary: Entrancing Introduction to India
Review: I know nothing about the Indian culture or music, and I was a bit skeptical that a 4-hour subtitled movie filmed in India about CRICKET would be of interest to me. I loved every minute. Not only was this movie visually beautiful and well paced, it also has a "good heart." Although a classic tale of courageous common folk rising up against oppressors, the story is told with humor and affection and with an infectious joy and innocence that is very appealing. One example of the director's skill is that even though most of the film is concerned with cricket, a sport about which I know absolutely nothing, the movie never lags or slows down, but keeps an active pace.The singing and dancing were very enjoyable. Even though I had never been exposed to Hindi singing before, my "Western" ears still found the music very beautiful. I can see why the actor who played Bhuvan is a big star in India--very charismatic and charming, as well as very good looking. I will definitely watch this again and again. We made an "Indian Evening" out of it, getting recipes off the Internet for Indian food, and munched on Tandoori chicken and vegetable curry while watching the DVD at home. Great fun!
Rating:
Summary: My 1st Bollywood Film was Worth the 4 Hours!
Review: Despite the fact that I bought the DVD some time ago, it took me a couple of months and 2 tries to actually get into it enough to watch. Knowing that it's approx. 4 hours long, the first time I popped it in and started struggling through the subtitles, that baby was out of the recorder about 2 minutes later! Well, it took being held up in bed sick to finally motivate me to try again. Lagaan is an enchanting film that works on several levels: as an exciting sports film, as a poignant triangular love story and as a social and political drama. I like all of the above-mentioned genres with the major exception of sports films. However, I found myself thoroughly caught up in the big game, which actually adds at least one hour to the film's length. It is through this game that so many of the wonderful characters that are introduced throughout the film get their moment to shine: the fortune-teller, the crippled low-cast outcast, the village "idiot", the reformed Judas, etc. I also appreciated the film's attempt to be fair: it would have been very easy to make the Brits all look like "bloody colonial twats", and the Indians smell like roses. We get to see Brits who where appalled by the way that their fellow countrymen behaved towards the Indians, and Indians discriminating amongst themselves due to their cast system. These areas of grey add layers to what might have been a fairly one-dimensional, Indian version of Mighty Ducks! That said, the very clear lines between good and bad help one cheer the underdogs on and ultimately make this a warm and fuzzy, feel-good-movie. The cast, lead by Aamir Khan - a wonderful mixture between Tom Hanks and Elvis Presley (!) - is wonderfully diverse, and the films length allows us to get to know each and every one of them. It is my understanding that Khan is somewhat of a superstar in India, which probably means he'll never have the desire to breakout and start an international career. I guess we'll just have to keep watching him in Bollywood films - if his other films are as charming as this one, however, than I certainly don't mind.
Rating: 
Summary: My First Experience With a "Bollywood" Film
Review: To be completely honest, I had no idea that I was in for an almost 4-hour Bollywood musical when I first began Lagaan. The second the movie began, I was in a mild state of culture shock. Lagaan was to be my first "Bollywood" film. Seeing 19th-century poor Indians in their full atire was very shocking to begin with, but when they began their song and dance, I was hypnotized by this unfamiliar territory. I did not know Lagaan was a musical. My husband looked at me in disbelief when the music began. As strange as it was to me at first, the movie began to grow on me as I became involved in the story and the dilemma the poor farmers faced as the ruling British forced a harsh tax on the Indians. Lagaan is the Indian word for land tax. The local British cantonment is controlled by a snobby arrogant Captain Russell, who passes on the news that there will now be double Lagaan. The farmers of course protest, as there has been a severe drought. Captain Russell offers the head of the protest, Bhuvan, a chance to waive the taxes for the next three years if they beat him and 10 other British soldiers at a game of Cricket. However, if they lose, the lagaan will be tripled. Captain Russell's sister, Elizabeth, sneaks behind the captain's back and teaches the Indians the rules of the game. What follows is a lengthy three-day match. Will they win or will they lose? Watch to find out!
Rating:
Summary: Exhilerating
Review: As the result of a wager between native hothead Bhuvan (Aamir Khan) and the racist Capt. Russell (Paul Blackthorne), the inhabitants of an impoverished Indian village must defeat the local British troops in a cricket match in order to escape from the crippling tax that is levied by the imperialists. This hugely entertaining film is both familiar and exotic. All of the conventions of the traditional sports film and love triangle are present and few will be surprised by any of the developments in the story. However, since this is my first Bollywood film (as it will be for most American viewers), it benefits from the foreign milieu as well as the exhuberance and talent of the performers. It took a while for me to get into the spirit of the musical numbers with their clearly dubbed vocals, but I was soon captivated by those as well. Beneath all of the comedy, romance, music, and clearly defined heroes and villains, there is a serious aspect to the story-the repression of native people by colonial forces. Gracy Singh, as Bhuvan's childhood sweetheart, is absolutely charming.
Rating:
Summary: Phenomenal
Review: It is the 1890s and India is still occupied by the British army. A commander I'm going to call "slimy British guy," after the local Raja refuses to eat meat, decides to double the tax (or "lagaan") that the province pays to the crown. The raja feels helpless to do anything but pass on the news. In a local village, Bhuvan (Aamir Khan) and his friends hear the news, and since the lagaan involves giving ten percent of their grain, they go to talk to the Raja. The raja is watching the soldiers play a game of cricket, which Bhuvan and his friends ridicule, likening it to a game that only children play. Slimy British guy challenges Bhuvan to a game with high stakes: if Bhuvan's team wins, they lagaan will be removed for three years; but if the British win, the tax will be tripled. After much consideration, Bhuvan accepts. This is only the first hour of what turns into an epic (almost four hours) film of struggle, friendship, and redemption. Bhuvan's village is furious with him, because they know they cannot win. And it has not rained yet this season, so what are they going to eat, let along pay lagaan with? But with help from a surprising source, Bhuvan assembles a ragtag team of players, including one with a crippled right hand. Lagaan is a fabulous film from the Indian "Bollywood" film industry, made of feelgood films where people break into song at unexpected moments. I loved this film, the acting was phenomenal all around. In fact, it is only now, writing this, that I even considered it to be "acting." Star/producer Aamir Khan draws us into the story of Bhuvan and his friend Gauri (the lovely Gracy Singh, in her first film) steals all her scenes with grace and beauty. It's a joyous film with the requisite happy ending (sort of like Major League with cricket, except a lot better) and the humor and music raise it above anything Hollywood has put out since its golden days. If this film were in English, it would be a blockbuster. I've made it my job to make sure that you watch it so more like it will be made and more people will know about Lagaan.
Rating:
Summary: One of India's best
Review: "Sach Aur Sahas Hai Jiske Maan Mein, Aanth Mein Jeeth Ussi Ke Rahe".
Literally translated, this means "He who has truth and courage on his side is the winner in the end"
This is the main message preached by Lagaan. Lagaan is not a movie about cricket. Lagaan is a movie about the triumph of human spirit. It is a movie about unity of people of all races, genders, religions, and classes. It is a movie about a war without bloodshed. Though Lagaan may be a product of India, it is a film with universal appeal. Lagaan is not only a meaningful film, but it's also a great entertainer. Referring to the dvd itself, it is a bit disappointing for such an excellent film. Breaking it down into subsections: Video Quality: Excellent. Compared to other Indian dvds, this is truly excellent quality. One really gets the true feel of Champaner. Audio Quality: Exclellent. The 5.1 surround sound is great quality, and is really noticable udring the songs. Extras: Above-average. This is where the disappointment sets in. The only true extra on the dvd is a deleted scene. That itself is wonderful to watch, but that's all there is, along with some written filmographies. No interviews, no award ceremonies, no other deleted scene, no commentary, nothing. Additionally, the menus are boring and static. Lagaan truly is a movie that all should see. While the dvd may not be perfect, it still is a great opportunity. Those who haven't seen Lagaan, especially non-Indians, should grab this opportunity, and rent a copy as soon as possible. Not an experience to be missed out on.
Rating:
Summary: A real Classic
Review: Everything there to make a movie just GREAT.
Wonderful music. Sweet story, Romance, humour, very entertaining and also suspense!
You don't get bored one second, during the 4 hours.
Like a roller-coaster.
My 16 year old son (hormone ball who likes the Kill Bill Tarrantino genre of movies), was absolutely surprised and THRILLED. He admitted that it was very worthwhile.
HOLLYwood go study this.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST OF BOLLYWOOD...
Review: I admit that I love films with Anglo-Indian themes. I also love period pieces. So, when I discovered Lagaan, I was intrigued, though somewhat skeptical about its being a musical and about its underlying story. Still, I thought it was worth a shot. I am delighted that I took a chance, as I was riveted for the nearly four hours the film was on the screen. It is little wonder that it was a 2001 Academy Award nominee for best foreign language film. The film takes place in late nineteenth century India, during the time of the British Raj, in the small rural village of Champaner. It is a poor village against whom a tax, called a lagaan, is levied by the British. It appears that the lagaan goes to support the British cantonment that rules over the Central Indian province in which Champaner sits. The cantonment is commanded by an arrogant Captain Russell, who seems to care little for the customs, culture, and people of India. He typifies all that is bad about the reign of the British Raj. Champaner has, unfortunately, had a long lasting drought and, as a farming community, the dry spell has been devastating, leaving the villagers on the brink of agricultural disaster. They have been awaiting the seasonal monsoon rains to no avail. When the villagers are told that Captain Russell has doubled the lagaan, as it had been cut in half the previous year due to the drought, they are angry. It is a now an issue of life and death for them. This brings Bhuvan, a handsome, young, spirited farmer to the fore. Before he knows it, Bhuvan finds himself wagering the future of his village and province on a cricket game, as he has likened it to a local game played by the villagers. The stakes are now higher, for if they lose, Captain Russell has decreed that not only will Champaner have to pay a triple lagaan but the entire province will have to do so, as well. If they win, however, the lagaan will be stayed for three years. So, it begins. The villagers are a colorful and motley cast of characters, both Hindu and Muslim. It is interesting to see how Bhuvan organizes and trains them to meet the British on what will be the functional equivalent of a field of battle. Village blood feuds and caste prejudices are laid aside in order to do wage their own unique war against the onerous lagaan. They are assisted by Captain Russell's tenderhearted and beautiful sister, Elizabeth, who is disgusted by her brother's meanness towards a people and culture that she embraces. This leads to a love triangle, as Elizabeth finds herself falling in love with Bhuvan, to the consternation of Gauri, a beautiful village girl who loves Bhuvan. He, however, remains somewhat oblivious to the romantic portents swirling about him. The film take the viewer through the preparations for the game by the villagers, the nefarious duplicity of one villager, and the game itself, which is a tense, three day match in which the rag-tag group of villagers meet the crisply dressed British on the cricket field. The hopes and dreams of the villagers hang on the result of the game, as does the career of the unlikable Captain Russell, whose superior officers have looked askance at his unseemly proposition to the villagers. The match itself, which consumes nearly a third of the film, is exciting to watch. The film is a thrilling epic with masterful performances and occasional exuberant musical numbers that are sparsely interjected at appropriate times throughout the film. This multi-faceted film is deftly directed by Ashutosh Cowariker, who wrote the excellent screenplay. The acting by the entire cast is stellar. It is also easy to see why Aamir Khan is such a super star in India, as he has all the attributes of a leading man. He is simply sensational. The lovely and graceful Gracy Singh, in her debut role, is wonderful as the lovesick Gauri, and Rachel Shelley is terrific as Elizabeth. The cinematography is spectacular, as are the production values. Altogether they provide a sumptuous feast for the eyes. This film is certainly representative of the best that Bollywood has to offer. The DVD has excellent audio and crystal clear visuals. The film is shown in letterbox format, and the subtitles are clear and easy to read as they are displayed against a black backdrop. The subtitles are available in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, and Thai. There is also a long deleted scene included that is very worthwhile, as well as filmographies for the principals in this film. All told, this is a very fine, worthwhile film to add to one's personal collection. Bravo!
Rating: 
Summary: Not the best of Bollywood
Review: I am married with an woman origanally from India. Therefore been able to see Bollywood movies, even more then i wanted. But i have come to enjoy some of the Bollywood movies. Lagaan was definitally NOT one of them. If you are looking for a first time experience with Indian Bollywood movies i guess Lagaan will not give you the best of Bollywood movies which are around. It gives you some highlights of Indian Movie making with great scenery, dancing and music. But the storyline, is even for Bollywood movies standard, incredible weak. The second part of the movie shows a cricket match where all Indians cooperate to beat the evil British Empire (in a cricket match!)...it's boring, totally unbelievable, not funny, patriotic and therefore a waste of time. If you want to have your first time good bollywood experience, try movies like: "Bombay" or "Monsoon Wedding"
Rating:
Summary: Set aside a night to watch Lagaan
Review: If cross-cultural hits like 'Monsoon Wedding' and 'Bend It Like Beckham' have piqued your interest in Indian cinema, a good way to dip your toe into the real Bollywood experience would be to try Aamir Khan's 'Lagaan' - a four-hour spectacle that will require you to set aside a whole night for viewing. It's worth doing. There's some good filmmaking here - Director Ashutosh Gowariker vividly depicts life in a small Indian village at the height of the Raj and shows the onerous thumb of taxation that threatens the village in the wake of a deep drought. Then, he painstakingly shows the Raj/village confrontation, the cricket challenge that results, building the team, and playing the match. Even if you don't care for cricket, or even if you know nothing of the game, you *will* care by the end of the movie. Gowariker and Khan will earn your interest. A couple of things worth nothing: - This is a typical Bollywood production with muscial interludes. Some of the pieces can be an unintentional hoot. A sample: In this shower of love
Our heart and body will be soaked
After the downpour the earth will be a mirror made of water
And earth will wear the seven-colored rainbow! Okay, just a bit stilted. Since the original lyrics are Hindi, we'll assume that lost a little something in translation. - Paul Blackthorne is kind of ridiculously one-dimensional as the sneering, haughty, villainous Captain Andrew Russell, who almost has to snap his words through a permanent sneer. - Rachel Shelley is delightfully peaches-and-cream, milk-and-honey all English wonder girl as the captain's sister Elizabeth. Obviously, she grabbed all the charm when it got handed out in the family. Her song - a paean to her crush on Khan's Bhuvan - is the musical highlight of the film. - Have I mentioned that Rachel Shelly is delightful?
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