Gandhi-

Not an “easy” watch, “GANDHI” is one of those important films that deserves to be seen for what it attempts, more than for what it delivers.  Director Richard Attenborough loves epic films.  “A BRIDGE TOO FAR”, “CRY FREEDOM”, etc., all dealt with monumental figures or events.  “GANDHI” represents a period in history and a man that has met few equals in terms of large scale human drama.  Ben Kingsley won a well deserved “OSCAR” for his performance at the leader.  In the opening moments, we’re shown a perfect example of racism, as the new lawyer, is asked by a train conductor to move back to third class or leave the train.  A epiphany is reached by him and his future actions all stem from it!  Gandhi, more than any other world figure in the 20^th century, put into motion the idea of civil disobedience, and the film’s at its best during these scenes.  His values appeal to many, not just his fellow disenfranchised Indians.  Martin Sheen portrays a reporter, impressed by Gandhi’s convictions, and brings his plight, as well as the plight of so many others, to international attention. 

As Indian political leaders look for a figure to push their cause for escape from British Imperialism to the next level, Gandhi decides he must immerse himself into the vastly different cultures and peoples making up the country, in order to better understand them. 
It is during this journey that his passion and concern for the people causes him to receive the title, “MAHATMA”.

He’s skillful in bringing together vastly different people with common goals.  Under him, religious background matters less than an individual’s content.  While his movement to fight tyranny via civil disobedience spreads, the British choose to respond with great force, savagely killing innocents in large numbers.  His ideas continue to catch world attention, and Candice Bergen, in a small but memorable role, portrays the larger-than-life Margaret Bourke-White, with a moving performance.   Unfortunately, once the British finally decide to give up on their colonialization of India, the differences between the Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs, as well as the dispute over Pakistan, bring about even more turmoil to this large nation and its population.  The hatreds plaguing mankind are man-made, and it’s up to many men to make the changes necessary to make the world a better place. “GANDHI” does a terrific job in showing what even “one” man can do, and it makes an intelligent plea for other men to follow suit.

COLUMBIA TRISTAR has presented the film with its proper 2.35:1 aspect ratio and 16:9 enhancement.  The color values are excellent!  There is a large palate of colors in almost every scene, and all of them come off as being vibrant, without becoming oversaturated!  The contrast is also outstanding, with discernible blacks and grays. 

The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is somewhat restrained, even in scenes where it could’ve been extremely helpful.  There are some great scenes involving masses of people, and unfortunately, the sense of crowd size is only sensed visually, and not through the audible sense of masses.  The musical score is extremely effective, and it’s pleasing to find that it’s well complimented here, with surrounds.  There is some limited separation in the front soundstage, but virtually no LFE effects.

COLUMBIA TRISTAR has made this a “SPECIAL EDITION” and there are some great supplements.

“BEN KINGLSEY TALKS ABOUT GANDHI” offers the actor discussing, retrospectively, how he prepared for the role, film production stories and more. He’s likeable from the first second he appears, and it’s a great featurette.

“THE MAKING OF GANDHI PHOTO MONTAGE” is brief, but worthwhile.  Various stills, in color and black&white, are presented in slide-show fashion, all to  cues from the film’s score.

“THE WORDS OF MAHATMA GANDHI” is even briefer, offering famous sayings by Gandhi, again to the film’s score.