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GandhiRating:
Release Date: 28 August, 2001 Retail Price: $24.95 Sorry, this product is not currently available. Cast: Complete Cast (20 total) |
Gandhi Reviews
Cinematic Masterpiece Overviewing the Long Complex Life of an International Hero
Lord Attenborough sought out to offer a sampling of the most well known and farthest reaching events, while interjecting events little known in Gandhi's personal life. The beginning disclosure makes clear that there was no possible way, in the time allowed, to tell all that could be told about the man. This film introduces us to the essence and primary thoughts of Mohandas K. Gandhi and explores the patience and diligence of non-violent philosophy.
In the beginning we see a very young, fair-skinned and comfortably British-Gentlemanly Indian solicitor from London, who is used to more accomodation than segregation, encounter his first overt act of discrimination when he travels to South Africa. The earliest pictures of MKG show him as strikingly light-skinned, and his bios tell us that he had made an excellent career for himself leading as priviledged a life as an Indian man could at the turn of the last century. He enjoys a life of nannies, housekeepers and little domestic work-again totally British. Although his early pursuits are relatively successful there, after he leaves South Africa and journeys to India, he realizes he knows nothing of his own people and their plight under British control. He understands that he has been oblivious to their reality and undertakes a cross-country search to "Get to know her".
As the tale progresses we see his reinvention into the same stead as his fellow countrymen. He comes to the conclusion so many of our modern politicians never do "To understand the people, I must become one with them" and dresses, lives and communes with a vast array of followers and associates. Although he takes on the "Bapu" persona, underneath is a razor sharp British educated solicitor who guides his country into "home rule".
The honesty of this film is striking enough to capture a glimpse of this little understood man here in the west and give clarity to his main philosophies at least. Unfortunately, the non-violent movement that led to home rule in India and desegregation here in the US could not eliminate the ignorances, prejudices and practices that cripple all freedoms at their core. But we can get a honest look at his life and what drove him through this well written script and beautifully photographed film.
The widescreen edition is by far the best way to enjoy the film and although there are naysayers to the films integrity, there are many Indian actors in it as well as British, American and more. Ben Kingsley is half Indian, but he brings a depth of character which depicts this revered martyr as a leader and a man who sought to unite all peoples for the greater good of humanity.
This is one of those essential films that cannot be missed. It is an excellent choice for a quiet afternoon or to introduce young people to this man of principle.
Touching.
Great Movie. I have seen it many times in the past, and I just had to own a copy.
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