Review of Gandhi (1982) by Saulo P — 19 Jan 2009
An unforgettable performance by Ben Kingsley keeps the viewer entranced throughout the three hour epic. The script itself, however, will leave the historian, philosopher, or theologian rather disappointed for the movie itself is a rather cartoonish portrayal of the British (who, among the colonizers, practiced tremendous self-restraint and tolerance in their imposition of indirect rule in their Empire).
It also carefully avoids any controversy by underplaying the disastrous effects of the tragedy of decolonization such as increased segregation and reimposition of the caste system, the massacres that occurred in the ensuing civil wars between Hindu and Muslim populations, and their continual persecution of Sikhs and Christians to this day.
Even Gandhi is sanitized of his religion's and his own personal faults. To be fair, the movie begins with a disclaimer suggesting a more dynamic than formal equivalence in summarizing and translating the events into the medium of cinema.
On that grounds, there is nothing in its cinematography, editing, costume, acting, dialogue, or any other aspect of film that stands in the way of capturing the drama of this story.
This review of Gandhi (1982) was written by Saulo P on 19 Jan 2009.
Gandhi has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
