– Customer review on 06/12/2006

Gandhi is the story of an incredible man portrayed by Ben Kingsley, who truly does justice to the role of one of the twentieth century's most influential figures, very well told story of an amazing person. I liked this film from its opening through all of the powerful moments, to the poignant dedication at the closing of the film.

– Customer review on 21/10/2006

An epic interpretation of the forces which shaped Gandhi and how these filtered into his relationship with India, Gandhi portrays a man of deep simplicity. In the South Africa of 1893, casual racism and discrimination is forcefully embedded into the culture. Unfortunately Mohandas K. Gandhi (Ben Kingsley), fresh from studies in England, is unaware of this divide as he travels on his first class train ticket. A rude awakening comes with the arrival of the guard, who unceremoniously ejects Gandhi at the very next station. Shocked beyond words by such injustice, he rails against the system to his long established compatriots. However, while they realise that trying to change the law is futile, Gandhi feels that he has no choice but to protest.

Much to the annoyance of General Smuts (Athol Fugard), the unyielding figurehead of South Africa, Gandhi begins to form contacts within the Indian worker minority. Shipped over to either toil in the mines or tend crops, there is no sense of unity amongst them; this is where Gandhi comes in. Organising a meeting of his countrymen, open to all regardless of religion, Gandhi attempts to kindle within them a sense of injustice. Words fail him however, being unused to public speaking, and Gandhi resorts to direct action; burning his identity card in front of the assembled police. His subsequent assault makes the headlines, yet horrifies his wife Kasturba (Rohini Hattangandy). In short order Gandhi becomes a major thorn for Smuts; yet because Gandhi advises non-violent resistance at all times the government is unsure how to alleviate the crisis.

Imprisoning the troublemakers and introducing harsh new legislation initially seems like a good idea. Gandhi, however, has allies like international reporter Walker (Martin Sheen) on his side. Thus the pressure on Smuts builds up, leading to the moment when he cracks and accedes to the movement's demands. In a move of true humility, Gandhi accepts the victory but not the spoils; instead his family return to their homeland. What he doesn't expect is the hero's welcome that awaits him, especially when India feels like a foreign land. Rushed into the presence of Congress Party men Mohammed Ali Jinnah (Alyque Padamsee) and Pandit Nehru (Roshan Seth), he would rather establish his law firm. Fortunately wiser heads prevail and Gandhi embarks on a journey both literal and metaphorical, the result of which will be the unrequested appellation of Mahatma.

An exhaustive yet glancing biopic of one of this century's most influential individuals, Gandhi locates drama in the most unlikely of places. The obvious scenes of Gandhi's funeral and the Amritsar massacre are, of course, covered but it is the moments elsewhere that remain in the memory. Uncinematic asides such as Gandhi's notorious fasts or his first brush with injustice are where Gandhi excels; these are the incidents which make the man. As it happens it is in the first half of the film that the character building occurs, with Gandhi discovering that he cannot stand idly by while others suffer. In South Africa his nascent political intuition and personal charisma combine powerfully, inspiring loyalty and devotion from followers. As the second half of the film arrives, India, the country, takes Gandhi's place in the emotional centre. While somewhat more challenging in terms of identification, this switch perfectly illustrates how the histories of Gandhi and India are tightly bound together.

– Customer review on 30/08/2006

This movie is so so boring. I fell asleep watching it. I have great respect for the great things this amazing man did, but this movie failed to catch me. I certainly wasn't inspired by it, and wasn't intrigued. I think the main problem is it's length, and to a lesser extent the slow pace. I never believed the depiction of Kingsley as Ghandi, and so the whole movie was cast into the shade. I was disappointed.

– Customer review on 25/08/2006

this is a semi bor9ing tale of gandhi, who is really a great guy, inspiring peace pacifly! a good watch for all those history buffs out there, this is quite a representative example of what life was like back then. a few boring scenes but that is really part of the story. quite moving at many times too, a good watch

– Customer review on 22/08/2006

Ben Kingsley is unforgettable in this role, as Gandhi. This film tracks his life from a young lawyer, to the events which made him the hero of millions, through to his untimely death by an assassins hand. Also fantastic for getting an understanding of how imperialism, and its demise, affected the people of india.