Glamorous and epic

Rating: 8/10 (7 February 2009)

This biography of one of the greatest men of 20th century (for many even perhaps the greatest) is presented with the smooth but firm hand of Richard Attenborough showing here and there great dramatic moments of the life of the main character who is somewhat glamorous in his humility and modesty but also truly epic as the great hero he truly was. And the message passes through, of a life entirely dedicated to non-violent fighting for such noble causes as anti-racial discrimination and the right of all peoples to self-determination. His fight begins in pre-apartheid South Africa where nevertheless the roots of apartheid were already visible and continues in India for the independence of the country. There the story of his life mixes itself with the history of India. After defeating the British with his non-violent resistance deeds he faces another harsh trial: the rivalry between Muslims and Hindus which soon turns into violent hatred. He never wanted the former British colony to be divided between the two communities. By enduring a second hunger strike he tried to put an end to violence between them. He also fought against the division of Hindu society in castes. For him all men were equal regardless of race, colour or social status. He ended by being murdered by a fanatic Hindu when he was preparing himself to travel to Pakistan in order to reach reconciliation between both communities. The movie shows all these episodes with great realism and visual efficiency and the cast is formed by great players with special prominence of Ben Kingsley in the role of Gandhi. The ideas of the Mahatma were well and clearly expressed in the dialogues where he took part particularly when he had to talk with British authorities where his purposes were sharply and courageously exposed. This movie does a great service to Gnadhi's message and ideas.