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Biography of Mahatma Gandhi, the lawyer who became the famed leader of the Indian revolts against the British through his philosophy of non-violent protest.
Ben Kingsley: Mohandas K. Gandhi
General George C. Marshall, the American Secretary of State said of Mahatma Gandhi, that he had become the spokesman for the conscience of mankind, a man who made humility and simple truth more powerful than empires. This is Gandhi. Albert Einstein added, Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.
My thoughts? This is one of the greatest men to ever walk this Earth, the most selfless, deepest, philosophical, free thinking individuals to grace existence.
Thus with Richard Attenborough's film biopic account featuring Sir Ben Kingsley in the shoes of the great Gandhi. We see and are given a loving, emotional account and insight into the legendary man whom risked so much for a country and a people in need of freedom and independence.
Firstly we see the barbarism, racism and unjustness of the British Empire. ''We think it is time that you recognized that you are masters in someone else's home.'' Gandhi coolly expresses to officials and British Army officers at one point after a cold, brutal massacre. This is the truth of the matter. The British Empire was great of course but for all the wrong reasons. It capitalized on the suffering and labour of the people it exploited in far away regions, and even today we see the side effects it has had on modern times.
Imagine the British Empire is an old man with his feet soaking in a warm, dirty bowl of hot water. The bowl of water represents India, it represents the Countries under the thumb of this Empire. That is the only truth Gandhi teaches us about tyranny.
Later after many years of struggle, imprisonment and injustice. After many years of non-violent protest from himself and his allies, through fasting and prayer Gandhi succeeds in helping India gain independence and thus break away from domination from the British.
Then the next snag is the Hindus and the Muslims fighting and dying over the differences and eye for an eye revenge fighting which starts. Pakistan is created for the Muslims of India yet each side is persecuted for the other.
Gandhi boldly, affirmly, calmly says, ''I am a Muslim and a Hindu and a Christian and a Jew and so are all of you.'' So we see, Gandhi is free from hate and anger. From the rage and chaos in which religion divides and causes wars and death to essentially brothers. In Gandhi's eyes Hindu and Muslim, Christian and Jew are brothers. They are his people. He is the embodiment of peace and prosperity. However this thinking and advanced higher resonance essentially caused his demise at the hands of narrow minded religious fanatics.
Fortunately Gandhi will always be remembered for changing not just India but changing the World and the way we think. A line of thinking free from racism, religious segregation and a mutual respect for human life and freedom.
Overall, Gandhi has a fascinating biopic structure which is intricately woven by Richard Attenborough whom gives it the love and delicate care it richly deserves. He assembles a knock out cast which prove performances and story go hand in hand.
Sir Ben Kingsley steals the film with his timeless portrayal of the Great Mahatma Gandhi: Mahatma was a name given to Gandhi by the people meaning ''Great Soul''. A name wholeheartedly earned and deserved.
Candice Bergen, Edward Fox, Martin Sheen, Saeed Jaffrey, Geraldine James, Alyque Padamsee, Amrish Puri, and Roshan Seth to name but a few all pop up to add to such a magical casting and journey of a man transcending the mere material.
Gandhi is a myriad of biopic, history and Hollywood yet it never loses momentum over it's three hour span and every detail is necessary for such a huge undertaking. It's right up there right along side The Last Emperor, Schindler's List and Lawrence of Arabia; An age when film was so long and so informative, crammed with glorious loving detail, it was essentially two parts. The intermission designed for us to have a break. This is an educational, transportation to an age of our past. This is about love and truth, this is a tribute to the life of a prophet and visionary from yesterday whom made a better tomorrow. Watch this film and remember a great man.
''What do you want me not to do? Not to meet with Mr. Jinnah? I am a Muslim, and a Hindu, and a Christian, and a Jew, and so are all of you. When you wave those flags and shout, you send fear into the hearts of your brothers. That is not the India I want! Stop it! For God's sake stop it!''
10/10
