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Click above to purchase "Gandhi" at amazon.com
Gandhi
review by Anthony D.
Rated R
Studio: Columbia/Tri-Star
Running Time: 113 minutes
Starring Ben Kingsley, Martin Sheen, Candice
Bergen
Written by John Briley
Directed by Richard Attenborough
Retail Price: $24.95
Features: Ben Kingsley Interview, Photo Montage, The
Words of Mahatma Gandhi, Production Notes, Filmographies,
Newsreels, Weblink to Official Mahatma Gandhi Website,
Theatrical Trailers
Specs: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, English Dolby
Digital 5.1, English Dolby Surround, French Dolby Surround,
Spanish Dolby Surround, English Closed Captions, English
Subtitles, French Subtitles, Portuguese Subtitles, Chinese
Subtitles, Korean Subtitles, Thai Subtitles, Scene
Selection
Released: August 28th, 2001
The towering performance of Ben Kinglsey (Academy Award
winner) as the 20th Century's first and foremost civil
rights leader and the sure-handed direction of Richard
Attenborough make 1982's film "Gandhi" a film for the ages.
A sweeping, beautifully crafted biographical film, which
preserves the sanctity of India's martyr while glossing over
the Mahatma's controversial political stances, still can be
appreciated on its own terms. "Gandhi" is indeed the type of
filmmaking which wins awards, yet can be discussed arduously
by its detractors: considering that "Gandhi" swept the
Academy Awards over a little Spielbergian film called
"E.T.," (Editor's Note: Never heard of it.)
"Gandhi" has won its share of detractors. Totally overlooked
in the film's literate screenplay are Gandhi's stances
during World War II: he supported the Japanese, and felt
that his countrymen should too, against the British; he
thought that German Jews should sacrifice themselves to
their fate using non-violent resistance against Hitler.
Perhaps the inclusion of these choice facts could have
rendered "Gandhi" a biographical masterpiece, rather than an
thoroughly involving, impressive film.
Attenborough, again tackling the true tale of an historic
person ("Young Winston" followed the early career of British
Prime Minister Winston Churchill), chooses to begin his film
with the course of events which set Gandhi's career in
motion. Already a respected lawyer, Gandhi is thrown from a
train in South Africa because of his dark complexion; then
creates civil disobedience in South Africa by refusing to
accept the South African laws against the non-white
population. Gandhi gains supporters in the foreign press, as
exemplified by the terrific Martin Sheen, as well as with
the world's religious leaders; while at the same time
creating conflict within his own household. The film follows
The Mahatma from 1893 to the final day of his life, January
30, 1948, when he was publicly assassinated by an Indian
non-supporter. Though never presented as a "and then he met
so-and-so" type of biography, the viewer is carefully shown
the repercussions of those meeting with famous and
not-so-famous figures have on the character of Gandhi. It is
indeed striking that in the first violent scene of protest,
that it is NOT Gandhi who cautions the crowd in South Africa
to lie down in the streets against the charging British
soldiers, but rather a background character whose cries of
"Lie down!" inspire the impressionable Gandhi.
When Gandhi returns to his native land, he decides to
forego all accouterments of Western ways, by choosing to
live as an Indian, right down his clothing. Comparisons to
David Lean's masterwork "Lawrence of Arabia" are inevitable:
Gandhi speaks out in a knowing scene that "derailing trains
and slashing people with sabers" is not the only way to
unite a nation. Considering that T. E. Lawrence was indeed
using those named methods at the time to unite the Arab
states, it would seem that Kinglsey's Gandhi is the
antithesis of Peter O'Toole's Lawrence. Whereas Lean created
an enigmatic figure, Attenborough presents a fully-thinking,
if rather obvious character - - after a while, we know
exactly how The Mahatma is going to handle the problems
which come his way.
Historically speaking, the film could have just as easily
worked as a black and white documentary-like film. Each of
the major, as well as the minor, events of Gandhi's
newsworthy life and death, are given equal time. Gandhi goes
on hunger strike when jailed. Gandhi trades traditional
clothing for standard loincloth. Gandhi meets world renowned
photographer Margaret Bourke-White. Gandhi leads the people
of India crusade against the Dharasana Salt Works. But
Attenborough, with his superb choice of cast has created a
M-A-N of The Mahatma with Kinglsey, and the remainder of his
cast are not slouchers. Martin Sheen, Sir John Guilgud, John
Mills, Trevor Howard and even Candice Bergen provide
memorable moments.
"Gandhi" is quite a movie. Never boring, and always
fascinating, it is a film which will be revered and
appreciated, more often than debated and heralded. Make no
mistake, Kinglsley deserved every accolade that came his
way. This is not a performance, it is a personification.
Never once in the film's length running time, is there any
frame in which the "acting" of Kingsley is visible - - it is
quite a portrayal, one to be savored devoutly. In the midst
of all the non-violent crusades, it is truly jarring to see
those moments of physical violence which punctuate the film.
Columbia's anamorphic presentation of "Gandhi,"
accurately framed in its 2.35:1 Panavision aspect ratio,
most assuredly cannot be faulted. It is quite close to
perfection, excellently capturing the subdued colors of a
recent past, while maintaining the sumptuous cinematography
of Billy Williams and Ronnie Taylor. India looks beautiful,
from its ornate, golden-domed palaces, to the squalor of its
teeming village streets. There is some minor edge
enhancement, but nothing that goes overboard. Flesh tones,
ranging from the native to the suitably pale Europeans, is
very accurate. Some minor grain can be seen in darker
scenes. This film looks as good today as when it was first
released, and thus serves its creators well in the digital
format.
Even though it boasts a musical score played by the
formidable sitar genius, Ravi Shankar, "Gandhi" is primarily
a film about words, words which come across quite clearly in
the English 5.1 Dolby Digital track. There really is very
little independent channel operation going on here. The
soundstage is primarily up front, with excellent separation.
Some ambience is provided by the surrounds, but they don't
get too much play until the Intermission music kicks in. The
sound design is such that anything more would be redundant,
not to mention against the filmmakers' wishes. Like most
Columbia titles, there are foreign subtitles provided in
Thai, Korean, Portuguese, French and Spanish, as well as
Chinese. The soundtrack itself is also available in 2.0
Dolby Surround in English, french and Spanish. Quite a lot
of choices here.
Starting with a nicely arranged montage of photos from
the film, the disc conjures up the menu screens. A
theatrical trailer, which does the film justice, is standard
fare (Editor's Note: And it lasts EXACTLY five
minutes.). The remainder of the Special Features,
truly make this a Special Edition. Several newsreels
document the real Gandhi in various stages of his career,
and one can see for oneself how Gandhi-like Ben Kingsley
really is, which makes one appreciate his portrayal even
more. These newsreels could easily be "Zelig"-like documents
with Kingley edited in by whatever means, but they are the
real Mahatma. A nicely organized "The Words of Mahatma
Gandhi" offers several of his oft-quoted lines against a
papyrus-like background, with remnants of the score moving
things along. Ben Kingsley's interview session is a
fascinating look back from the actor's perspective, as he
drops a few choice anecdotes regarding the making of the
film. A Photo Montage, titled "The Making of 'Gandhi,'" is
accompanied by the score, and rarely features any behind the
scenes photos in its five and a half minute running time.
Text documents are there for Filmographies and Production
Notes, as well as a link to The Official Mahatma Gandhi
Website.
Barring a commentary by Director Attenborough in the
future, this edition of "Gandhi" more than makes it mark. An
education experience. A biographical experience. A literary
experience. An historical experience. "Gandhi" is all this,
and more. Certainly one of the finer DVDs to cross my path
this year, with a nicely arranged set of special features
which actually take one into the world of the subject,
rather than the promotional end of the film itself, this
multi-Academy Award winner is a welcome addition to any film
lover's library. In times like the times we live in, the
inspirational life and work of Mahatma Gandhi should be
looked upon with fresh eyes.
 (4.5/5 - NOT included in
final score)
(4.5/5)
 (4/5)
 (2.5/5)
(4.5/5, NOT an average)
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