Gandhi (1982 film)

Gandhi (1982 film) is a biographical drama film that tells the story of Mahatma Gandhi's life, from his early days as a lawyer in South Africa to his role as a leader in the Indian independence movement. The film features an ensemble cast, including Ben Kingsley as Gandhi, Candice Bergen as Margaret Bourke-White, and Edward Fox as Reginald Dyer. The film was directed by Richard Attenborough and produced by Richard Attenborough and Goldcrest Films. The film's screenplay was written by John Briley and features a score by Ravi Shankar and George Fenton.

Plot

The film begins with Mahatma Gandhi's assassination in New Delhi in 1948, and then flashes back to his early life in Porbandar, India. The film follows Gandhi's journey to South Africa, where he becomes a lawyer and faces discrimination and racism, leading him to become involved in the Indian independence movement. The film depicts Gandhi's relationships with other key figures, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Lord Mountbatten. The film also shows Gandhi's interactions with British Raj officials, including Lord Irwin and Lord Linlithgow. The film's plot is set against the backdrop of major events, including the Amritsar Massacre, the Salt March, and the Indian National Congress.

Production

The film was produced by Richard Attenborough and Goldcrest Films, in association with International Film Investors and the National Film Development Corporation of India. The film's screenplay was written by John Briley, who drew inspiration from Gandhi's autobiography, The Story of My Experiments with Truth. The film's score was composed by Ravi Shankar and George Fenton, and features music inspired by Indian classical music and Western classical music. The film was shot on location in India and South Africa, with a cast and crew that included Ben Kingsley, Candice Bergen, Edward Fox, and John Gielgud. The film's cinematography was handled by Billy Williams and Ronnie Taylor, who used a combination of 35mm film and 65mm film to capture the film's epic scope.

Cast

The film features an ensemble cast, including Ben Kingsley as Mahatma Gandhi, Candice Bergen as Margaret Bourke-White, and Edward Fox as Reginald Dyer. The cast also includes John Gielgud as Lord Irwin, Trevor Howard as Lord Linlithgow, and John Mills as Lord Chelmsford. The film also features appearances by Martin Sheen as Vince Walker, a fictional American journalist, and Ian Charleson as Charles Freer Andrews, a British priest who becomes a close friend and ally of Gandhi's. The cast also includes Athol Fugard as General Jan Smuts, the Prime Minister of South Africa, and Geraldine James as Mirabehn, a British woman who becomes a follower of Gandhi's.

Release

The film was released in 1982, and premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was distributed by Columbia Pictures and was released in the United States on December 8, 1982. The film was also released in the United Kingdom and India, where it was a major commercial success. The film's release was accompanied by a major marketing campaign, which included trailers and television advertisements featuring Ben Kingsley and Richard Attenborough. The film's release was also marked by a series of special screenings and events, including a screening at the United Nations in New York City.

Reception

The film received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising Ben Kingsley's performance as Gandhi. The film holds a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many critics praising the film's epic scope and historical accuracy. The film was also a major commercial success, grossing over $127 million at the box office. The film's success was seen as a major achievement for Richard Attenborough, who had spent over 20 years developing the project. The film's success also helped to establish Ben Kingsley as a major star, and earned him numerous awards and nominations, including the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Awards

The film won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Richard Attenborough. The film also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Drama and the BAFTA Award for Best Film. Ben Kingsley won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as Gandhi, and John Briley won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. The film also won numerous other awards, including the National Board of Review Award for Best Film and the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Film. The film's success at the Academy Awards was seen as a major achievement for Richard Attenborough and the cast and crew of the film. Category:Biographical drama films