Barnes & Noble

In his epic masterpiece Gandhi, director Richard Attenborough explores the inspiring, complicated life of Mohandas K. Gandhi, the Indian lawyer who through ideological conviction and an impassioned sense of political justice went on to become the spiritual leader of a nation and the symbol of its hard-won independence. Ben Kingsley won an Oscar in the title role, and he is supported by an all-star cast that includes Candice Bergen as photographer Margaret Bourke-White and John Gielgud as Lord Irwin. This is a big story to tell, and Attenborough tackles his subject head on, zeroing in on those critical events in Gandhi's life that propelled him along his historic journey: his awakening to the injustice of Britain's resistance to Indian independence; his renunciation of his personal effects; his development of a "passive resistance" strategy in retaliation against the British army (which later inspired Dr. Martin Luther King); and, most memorably, his dramatic fasting in the name of his cause. As Gandhi, Kingsley, turns in an unforgettable performance, cloaking himself in the indomitable spirit of the soft-spoken yet determined pacifist, as he seamlessly evolves from citizen to statesman to modern-day messiah. Bruce Kluger

All Movie Guide

It was Richard Attenborough's lifelong dream to bring the life story of Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi to the screen. When it finally reached fruition in 1982, the 188-minute, Oscar-winning Gandhi was one of the most exhaustively thorough biopics ever made. The film begins in the early part of the 20th century, when Mohandas K. Gandhi (Ben Kingsley), a British-trained lawyer, forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government, Gandhi adopts a policy of "passive resistance," endeavoring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed. In the horrendous "slaughter" sequence, more extras appear on screen than in any previous historical epic. The supporting cast includes Candice Bergen as photographer Margaret Bourke-White, Athol Fugard as General Smuts, John Gielgud as Lord Irwin, John Mills as the viceroy, Martin Sheen as Walker, Trevor Howard as Judge Broomfield, and, in a tiny part as a street bully, star-to-be Daniel Day-Lewis. Gandhi won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director. Hal Erickson

Product Details

• UPC: 043396174375
• Source: SONY PICTURES
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Cinemascope (2.35:1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Surround, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: English, Portugais, Español
• Subtitles: English, Korean, Portugais, Español
• Time: 3:11:00
• Sales Rank: 861

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Columbia Best Pictures Collection

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