Film

Brief description of the film

Released 1982, 8 Oscars
Directed by: Sir Richard Attenborough
Leading actor: Ben Kingsley

The film begins in 1947 with the death of Gandhi, who is played by Ben Kingsley, and goes on to look back at the key events in the life of this man.

His youth and studies in London are neglected along with his detailed interest in world religions. Gandhi's experiences at the receiving end of discrimination provide the film's first key moments. The film slowly develops Gandhi's character into a sensitive, proud and determined man. A man is shown who, using non-violent methods, stands up for the Indian minority in South Africa as well as trying to unite Indians despite their differing religions. He is not deterred by set backs. He feels it necessary to convince others of his concept. He soon becomes well known and highly respected and continues his fight against the British colonial power. Nevertheless, he never takes advantage of his position. The film concentrates greatly on his strict and altruist life and his battle against religious conflict. His most important acts are presented in connection with the (re) action of the British.

Gandhi is a great subject, but is Gandhi a great film? Undoubtedly it is, not least because it is one of the last old-school epics ever made, a glorious visual treat featuring tens of thousands of extras (real people, not digital effects) and sumptuous Panavision cinematography. But a true epic is about more than just widescreen photography, it concerns itself with noble subjects too, and the life story of Mahatma Gandhi is one of the noblest of all. Both the man and the film have profound things to say about the meaning of freedom and racial harmony, as well as how to achieve them. Ben Kingsley, in his first major screen role, bears the heavy responsibility of the central performance and carries it off magnificently; without his magnetic and utterly convincing portrayal the film would founder in the very first scene. Sir Richard Attenborough surrounds his main character with a cast of distinguished thespians (Trevor Howard, John Mills, John Gielgud and Martin Sheen, to name but four), none of whom do anything but provide the most sympathetic support. John Briley's literate screenplay achieves the almost impossible task of distilling the bewildering complexities of Anglo-Indian politics. Attenborough's treatment is openly reverential, but, given the saint-like character of his subject, it's hard to see how it could have been anything else. He doesn't flinch from the implication that the Mahatma was naīve to expect a unified India, for example, but instead lets Gandhi's actions speak for themselves. The outstanding achievement of this labour of love is that it tells the story of an avowed pacifist who never raised a hand in anger, of a man who never held high office, of a man who shied away from publicity, and turns it into three hours of utterly mesmerising cinema.

[Amazon.co.uk]

"Gandhi" is a truly remarkable film of a truly remarkable story . Visually the film is magnificent, a true epic. Ben Kingsley is simply superb in the role of his life as the simple, modest and reserved man who takes on the might of the British Empire and oppressive regime through peace and humanity. If "Braveheart" was celebrated by Hollywood for the Scots whooping the British then "Gandhi" shows that Oscars can be won and the British beaten within a really outstanding film that does not celebrate the events within it with vulgarity or satisfaction. The film is aware that the occurrences within it are shocking. You will bite your nails until they hurt and cry for the pain to end. As a genuine epic this film is the requisite length of a slight over three hours so it will not be to everyone's taste as the pace is slow and peaceful to reflect the subject. However if you are a fan of quality filmmaking and flawless acting and are ready to be moved and amazed by an almost unbelievable account of the man of the century then Gandhi cannot be missed. The periods of calm serve only to enhance the character's tranquility and to heighten the impact of the clashes within the picture.

[Mike Thompson]