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Movies / On DVD / Lagaan
Lagaan

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Lagaan (2001)

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Reviews Counted:59

Fresh:56

Rotten:3

Average Rating:7.9/10

Consensus: Lagaan is lavish, rousing entertainment in the old-fashioned tradition of Hollywood musicals.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for language and some violence

Runtime: 3 hrs 44 mins

Genre: Foreign Films

Theatrical Release:May 8, 2002 Limited

Synopsis: Considered to be a modern classic of Indian cinema, LAGAAN is a musical drama which tells the story of a central Indian farming village in 1893. The village waits for the monsoons to come and rain... Considered to be a modern classic of Indian cinema, LAGAAN is a musical drama which tells the story of a central Indian farming village in 1893. The village waits for the monsoons to come and rain on its crops, but the ground remains dry and infertile. Meanwhile, British ruler Captain Russell (Paul Blackthorne) demands lagaan--or double normal taxes--from the villagers. When it becomes clear that they can't pay, Russell challenges the villagers to a game of cricket, a game they know nothing about. Teaching the villagers about the game falls on the shoulders of farmer Bhuvan (Aamir Khan). As they begin to learn, the villagers are inspired to go up against Russell, with tax negotiation as the stakes for the game. Full of choreographed musical numbers and climaxing in a pulse-pounding cricket match, LAGAAN is a fun, heartwarming British/Indian production that should have no difficulties translating across other national borders. [More]

Starring: Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley, Paul Blackthorne

Starring: Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley, Paul Blackthorne, Suhasini Mulay, Kulbhushan Kharbanda

Director: Ashutosh Gowariker

Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Screenwriter: Ashutosh Gowariker, Sanjay Dayma, Kumar Dave
Producer: Aamir Khan
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Dec 18, 2001

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for Lagaan

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating)
Text View | 1 2 3 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Will be the film all others in Bollywood are judged against, in terms of both creativity and success.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
08/03/08
Channel 4 Film

Utterly fascinating, somewhat confusing and musically delightful.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
05/10/02
E! Online

Manages to be both hugely entertaining and uplifting.

comment Comment
05/17/02
Aseem Chhabra
Aseem Chhabra
Boston Globe

It's a fairy tale that comes from a renowned Indian film culture that allows Americans to finally revel in its splendor.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
05/17/02
Athan Bezaitis
Athan Bezaitis
Filmcritic.com

A great introduction to the joys of Indian popular cinema.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
01/21/03
Chris Baker
Chris Baker
Film Threat

This is a movie that knows its business -- pleasing a broad, popular audience -- and goes about it with savvy professionalism and genuine flair.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/08/02
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

An involving, easily digestible hunk of pure entertainment that could be the trigger for Bollywood's long-awaited crossover to non-ethnic markets.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
07/24/08
Derek Elley
Derek Elley
Variety

There's back-stabbing, inter-racial desire and, most importantly, singing and dancing.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
04/12/02
Ed Gonzalez
Ed Gonzalez
Slant Magazine

Elegantly produced and expressively performed, the six musical numbers crystallize key plot moments into minutely detailed wonders of dreamlike ecstasy.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
05/07/02
Ed Halter
Ed Halter
Village Voice

A rippingly good, old-fashioned movie epic that takes the best of Bollywood cinema ... and elevates it for an international audience.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
05/31/02
Edward Guthmann
Edward Guthmann
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A skillfully made, good-natured movie.

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment Comment
09/18/02
Eric D. Snider
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com

It works its magic with such exuberance and passion that the film’s length becomes a part of its fun.

Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment Comment
07/19/02
F.X. Feeney
F.X. Feeney
L.A. Weekly

It's the way the story is told, with efficiency and flair, that makes Lagaan a terrific film.

Full Review Source: culturevulture.net | comment Comment
05/07/02
George Wu
George Wu
culturevulture.net

If you haven't sampled India's indigenous cinema, this is a great place to begin.

Full Review Source: San Jose Mercury News | comment Comment
05/30/02
Glenn Lovell
Glenn Lovell
San Jose Mercury News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Provides an entertainingly accessible introduction into the world of the Bollywood musical.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Daily News | comment Comment
05/10/02
Glenn Whipp
Glenn Whipp
Los Angeles Daily News

In its robust 3 hours and 45 minutes, Lagaan spins its simple underdog theme into fairly engrossing cloth.

comment Comment
05/17/02
Gregory Weinkauf
Gregory Weinkauf
New Times

A gorgeous, high-spirited musical from India that exquisitely blends music, dance, song, and high drama.

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
04/08/02
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

With an equally stunning soundtrack, this rollicking yarn is a must for all film lovers.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
12/30/06
Ian Nathan
Ian Nathan
Empire Magazine

If you're in the mood for a Bollywood film, here's one for you.

Full Review Source: San Diego Metropolitan | comment Comment
10/21/02
Jean Lowerison
Jean Lowerison
San Diego Metropolitan

There's no denying that when this film is good, it's very good.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
08/02/02
Jeff Vice
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
 
 
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