Gandhi

Dir: Richard Attenborough (A Bridge Too Far, A Chorus Line, Cry Freedom)
Cast: Ben Kingsley, Saeed Jaffrey, Amrish Puri, Rohini Hattangadi, Candice Bergen, Martin Sheen
UK/India, 1982

Seen: May 21/07 thanks to the Toronto Public Library

Reason to see: It’s on my 101 list of films I can't believe I haven't seen for being just 'one of those films you have to see', winning multiple awards (Oscar's, BAFTA's, DGA, Golden Globes)

It's amazing how many films on my 101 list are long. Really long. Gandhi clocks in at 3hr 8min, but it didn't feel like that at all. I was impressed and inspired by this film. It isn't easy viewing but it isn't as harsh as other films. Any film that deals with discrimination, racism and oppression is likely to have some harshness in it and often I have a hard time with that as if effects me to the core of my being to see people hate or judge based on colour, race, gender or religion. But this film deals with it with such grace and dignity and it truly resonated with me as being a beautiful message. That message was portrayed through the astonishing performance on Ben Kingsley as Gandhi. You can feel the presence, pace and peace of the character. It was also amazing to see the personal growth, and how people, even great people, don't always make the right decisions. We can all learn, change, grow and make the world a better place.

Favourite Quote: "I am prepared to die, but I am not prepared to kill"

Shannon's Overall View:
I found it truly inspiring
I'd watch it again
I highly recommend it

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© Shannon Ridler, 2008