Review of Gandhi

Introduction

Richard Attenborough`s 1982 epic story of the life of Mahatma Gandhi`s was universally acclaimed on release, gaining 9 Oscars, including the big three of Best Actor, Best Picture and Best Director.

The story starts in South Africa, when a young Gandhi (Ben Kingsley) travels to take up employment as a lawyer but is ejected from a train for travelling in first class – because he isn`t white. This leads Gandhi to question why Indians, citizens of the British Empire, are treated so badly in South Africa, and his campaign against the Government earns him notoriety on the way to scoring a victory over oppressive laws.

On his return to India, Gandhi is hailed as a hero, and begins the fight against British rule, at first his peers doubt that his policy of non-violence will work, but he slowly mobilises the populous, eventually forcing Britain`s hand and gaining Independence for India. This however leads to conflict between Hindus and Muslims, and Gandhi sees the nation that he has helped to build falling apart around him.

Video

The 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen video is of a high standard and provides a crisp and detailed picture at all times. There is a very small amount of dirt evident on a couple of scenes, but you`d have to be very picky to complain about it. The image is always stable and displays no sign of film grain.

Gandhi is an epic in every way, and visually, few films can match the scale of Attenborough`s masterpiece, primarily because of the sheer numbers of people in many of the shots. You have to remember this film was made long before computers were used to insert extras, so every person you see on screen is real - from the horrifying massacre at Amritsar, to the march to the ocean to make salt, to Gandhi`s funeral with some 400,000 people present, there are so many memorable scenes in this film.

Audio

The sound has been remixed into Dolby Digital 5.1, but for the most part the sound comes from the from stereo pair and the centre channel, with little use made of the rear speakers. There are plenty of sound effects, and some music from George Fenton and Ravi Shankar, all of which is well reproduced.

Much of the film involves Gandhi speaking, and all of the dialogue is clear and understandable.

Features

The disc contains a making-of photo montage, an interview with Ben Kingsley, some old newsreel footage of Gandhi and the trailer.

The interview with Ben Kingsley runs for about 20 minutes and is superb – very informative, although it was made a few years ago as if refers to Sir John Gielgud still being alive. The newsreels are also very interesting, and highlight just how good Kingsley`s portrayal of Gandhi was.

It is a little disappointing that there isn`t a proper documentary on the making of such an important film, or a director`s commentary track.

Conclusion

Gandhi is a superb film, which thoroughly deserved it`s 9 Oscars and is still a epic masterpiece nearly 20 years after it was made. The story of Gandhi is wonderfully told, through both Attenborough`s wonderful cinematography, which has captured some of the most memorable scenes ever shot on film and the brilliant acting from a top-notch cast.

Much has been said about Ben Kingsley`s Oscar winning portrayal of Gandhi over the years, and all I can add is that it is hard to imagine anyone ever turning in a better performance in a film – he is simply superb from start to finish.

This DVD features good picture and sound quality, along with good extras (which could have been even better with the inclusion of a making-of and commentary) and is recommended.