Review of Pather Panchali (1955) by Kris C — 11 Jan 2008
The first in a trilogy chronicling the life of an Indian man from boyhood to manhood, "Panchali" explores Apu's lower-class situation in Bengali along with all of life's hard knocks. The world in which Apu lives bears a striking resemblance to my own childhood experience - the smells, sounds, and freedom of living in a rural village -- admittedly, this is one of the reasons it lured me in so well.
Simplistic in its mission, it introduces us to a family of characters (two of the child actors giving unusually poignant performances) and examines their life and hardships in a poor village. Easily one of the most unpretentious and touching films humankind has made.
Its sequels are equally arresting and difficult to come by.
This review of Pather Panchali (1955) was written by Kris C on 11 Jan 2008.
Pather Panchali has generally received very positive reviews.
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