Most Important Drama

Rating: 9/10 (27 June 2008)

For the sheer impact that the life of Mohandas K. Gandhi had on the world, Sir Richard Attenborough's "Gandhi" must be one of the most important dramas ever made.
From the ground up this is both a labour of love and a technical masterpiece. Billy Williams and Ronnie Taylor's majestic photography captures mother India with aplomb, costumes from the period are near faultless, art director Stuart Craig recreates scene after scene unerringly, and John Bloom's editing leaves the final cut with a perfect weight, balance and momentum. All of the afore mentioned won Academy Awards, whilst sound, makeup and music (Ravi Shankar, and an original score from George Fenton) received nominations.
"Gandhi" owes its excellence and extreme effectiveness to three things however. Sir Richard Attenborough directs with purpose, and I have already stated : this was obviously a labour of love. He has succeeded at what he set out to do, that is to show us the heart of the man who freed India from English rule (and from each other for a time) through a sheer act of will. Yet how could Sir Dickie miss. John Briley's screenplay was perhaps one of the best ever written directly for the screen. Truly he encapsulates everything that the Mahatma was, and everything he stood for. After viewing "Gandhi", one feels that one knew the man personally, thanks to Mr. Briley's script, whose depth is pervasive throughout.
The cast are the final jewel in this brilliant crown. Very strong indeed are Edward Fox, as the apparently soul-less General Dyer, Roshan Seth as Gandhi's good friend Nehru - who becomes first Prime Minister of India - and Rohini Hattangady, especially memorable as devout wife, Mrs. Gandhi. Good performances come also from Geraldine James as adopted daughter/disciple Marabehn, Candice Bergen as Time photographer Margaret Bourke-White, Martin Sheen as New York Times reporter Walker, and Athol Fugard as General Smuts. Ian Charleson, Sir John Gielgud, Sir John Mills, Trevor Howard and Amrish Peru also star. All these players pale though in the light of one of the most complete characterisations ever to grace the screen. Ben Kingsley creates an amazing Gandhi. Both physically and actually, he brings the spiritual leader to life as no one could have believed possible. Kingsley portrays his compassion, stubbornness, boldness and true love for fellow man with a compelling turn. So good is his personification that he has even managed to adjust the little man's accent perfectly, taking it from the English influence of his education to the Indian of his latter days. Kingsley's Oscar for this outstanding showing was more than deserved. "Gandhi" also won for best picture and best director.
An inspirational and immeasurably moving insight into the life of a man who knew so much about the truth. The Mahatma lived his life as Christ taught us to live. Gandhi showed compassion for the oppressed, yet would not raise a hand against his oppressors. His peaceful non-cooperation was both brave and the only true answer. Meeting violence with violence only breeds the same, and is never a solution. Mohandas K. Gandhi truly lived the scriptures: turn the other cheek and love thy neighbour as thyself.
Thursday, June 12, 1997 - Video
There are not enough superlatives to describe the high level of excellence in Sir Richard Attenborough's film "Gandhi", nor are there enough adjectives with which to outline its importance.
Production values, from Stuart Craig's art, to John Bloom's editing, to Billy Williams and Ronnie Taylor's cinematography, all are superb. Ravi Shanker and George Fenton provide some ideal music, John Briley the perfect script, and Sir Richard controls proceedings with skill and purpose. Yet the most moving and effective contribution comes from the cast.
Actors such a Rohini Hattangady (Mrs. Gandhi), Roshan Seth (Neru), Geraldine James (Mirabehn), Candice Bergen (Margaret Bourke-White), Martin Sheen (Walker), Edward Fox (General Dyer), Athol Fugard, Sir John Mills, Sir John Gielgud, Trevor Howard, Amrish Peru and Ian Charleson all make you believe you are witnessing history unfold. Cap this with perhaps the best performance by an actor in our generation (that of the brilliant Ben Kingsley) and you have a film that no responsible person should miss.
So good was this rendering of the Mahatma's story, that no-one has tackled the topic since. No-one has needed to.
Saturday, June 13, 1998 - Video