Review of Ganga (1960) by Sean M — 23 Apr 2008
As a fan of Rumer Godden's novels, I hated this film when I first saw it years ago. Then Criterion released their stunning dvd last year and I picked it up, but only because it included a doc on Rumer's return to India in old age.
Watched the movie again and a light went off in my head - what was I thinking?? Was I just too young?? Now I understand Renoir's use of mostly non-actors, to make it fit in with the docu-drama structure.
The cinematography is stunning (color). There is one monologue that Mr. John has, "We should celebrate that a child died a child, that one escaped..." that will knock your socks off and is way too short.
If you want to see how the British treated the Indians, watch A Passage to India. If you want a childrens film for grown ups about the loss of innocence and the all too heavy weight of the beginnings of responsibility, this is your movie.
This review of Ganga (1960) was written by Sean M on 23 Apr 2008.
Ganga has generally received positive reviews.
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