Review of Gandhi (1982) by Joshua H — 21 Apr 2012

I remember watching this film for the first time when I was in middle school. We watched it in my eighth grade Social Studies class. Even then, at only thirteen years old, I was touched by the powerful story, the real life story, of Mahatma Gandhi. Now, many years later, I am once again learning about this great leader, and how his pacifism shaped an entire religion.

Ben Kingsley was born to play this role, and the entire film gravitates around him. From the very beginning when he makes a political statement in South Africa to his impact on India through non-violence, Gandhi was undeniably the most influential religious figure of his time. Although the film runs for three hours, I never felt bored by the pace or disinterested in what was happening. There was a lot of bouncing back and forth between plans and actions that kept the film moving forward. During the "planning" scenes, it showed the side of Gandhi that I have been learning about, a man who is dignified, poised, and well-spoken. He was the most humble man with so much power over a large group of people. The differences he made as far as violence, along with political and religious unrest, goes it unbelievable.

This film teaches us that all it takes is one person to change a lifestyle. It takes only one person to end the violence and prejudice against others. Gandhi, not only in the movie, is someone to look up to, and someone to strive to gain more common ground with. He changed the lives of many back then with his approach to non-violence, just as Martin Luther King, Jr. did in the 20th century. It will only be a matter of time before another great leader steps forward to change the rules once again.