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Director Richard Attenborough is typically sympathetic and sure-handed, but it's Ben Kingsley's magnetic performance that acts as the linchpin for this sprawling, lengthy biopic.
All Critics (56) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (48) | Rotten (8) | DVD (16)
Although Gandhi may lack the depth of a more academic approach, it is an old-fashioned, inspirational ode to a man who dared to challenge military power with self-restraint and political cunning. Apr 26, 2018 | Full Review…
Although Gandhi may lack the depth of a more academic approach, it is an old-fashioned, inspirational ode to a man who dared to challenge military power with self-restraint and political cunning.
Michael Blowen
Grievously doting and squeamishly evasive. May 6, 2017 | Full Review…
Grievously doting and squeamishly evasive.
Gary Arnold
They simply do not build movies like this any more, which is a pity. Feb 17, 2015 | Full Review…
They simply do not build movies like this any more, which is a pity.
Kathleen Carroll
In playing Gandhi, an actor must be less concerned with physical verisimilitude than with spiritual presence, and here Kingsley is nothing short of astonishing. Feb 24, 2010 | Full Review…
In playing Gandhi, an actor must be less concerned with physical verisimilitude than with spiritual presence, and here Kingsley is nothing short of astonishing.
Richard Schickel
Once in a long while a motion picture so eloquently expressive and technically exquisite comes along that one is tempted to hail it as being near perfect. Jan 29, 2008 | Full Review…
Once in a long while a motion picture so eloquently expressive and technically exquisite comes along that one is tempted to hail it as being near perfect.
Variety Staff
Attenborough's work lacks even the undercurrent of personality that David Lean brought to his films: the film has no flavor but that of the standard Hollywood hagiography. Dec 17, 2006 | Full Review…
Attenborough's work lacks even the undercurrent of personality that David Lean brought to his films: the film has no flavor but that of the standard Hollywood hagiography.
Dave Kehr
Few people will leave the theater unaffected, or unchanged. Feb 5, 2019 | Full Review…
Few people will leave the theater unaffected, or unchanged.
Rick Chatenever
Gandhi is illustrative, but not creative. [Full Review in Spanish] Mar 1, 2018 | Full Review…
Gandhi is illustrative, but not creative. [Full Review in Spanish]
Diego Galán
The movie aims primarily to demonstrate how such a man could accomplish so much, but also how monumental his task was and how it ultimately claimed his life Feb 28, 2017 | Full Review…
The movie aims primarily to demonstrate how such a man could accomplish so much, but also how monumental his task was and how it ultimately claimed his life
Rob Vaux
The inability to capture moments of simple, uncomplicated emotion show up the hollowness and over-staged theatricality of Richard Attenborough's Gandhi with exasperating frequency. Feb 22, 2016 | Full Review…
The inability to capture moments of simple, uncomplicated emotion show up the hollowness and over-staged theatricality of Richard Attenborough's Gandhi with exasperating frequency.
Gita Mehta
Tthe film Gandhi is more stuffy than stately, more prestigious than prodigious. It never quite captures the essence of Gandhi, or the influence he exerted on other leaders, including Martin Luther King. It's a broad but shallow river of information. Jan 13, 2014 | Full Review…
Tthe film Gandhi is more stuffy than stately, more prestigious than prodigious. It never quite captures the essence of Gandhi, or the influence he exerted on other leaders, including Martin Luther King. It's a broad but shallow river of information.
David Sterritt
Above all, Kingsley's astonishing performance, capturing both Gandhi's divine light and his irresistible simplicity, inspires this ambitious film. Jan 13, 2014
Above all, Kingsley's astonishing performance, capturing both Gandhi's divine light and his irresistible simplicity, inspires this ambitious film.
Ralph Novak
A sincere biopic about a most admirable man and enriched by Ben Kingsley's exceptional performance - even if the story is in fact more didactic than really compelling and with Gandhi not as fascinating as a character as the strength of his convictions and accomplishments.
Super Reviewer
Ben Kingsley is definitely one of the best actors around..it absolutely shows in this wonderful film.
It's been ages since I've seen this, so my review is being dictated primarily by memory. Perhaps it's time for a rewatch? Richard Attenborough takes the helm for this sweeping historical epic about the life of Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi. It's a very reverent film, is extremely long, and covers a lot of ground, but is a very powerful and compelling tale that highlights the life and work of one of the most influential and important figures in history. This will probably always be Sir Ben Kingsley's defining role, but that's totally fine. He disappears into the character completely, was nothing but deserving of all the awards and acclaim he got, and really brings the character to life in the best way. It's seriously one of the most convincing performances ever. Like I said, I haven't seen this in ages, so I really don't remember much, but given who makes up the rest of the cast, such as Gielgud, I'm going to go out on a limb and just assert that their performances were also probably great too. There's also great music, wonderful production values, superb cinematography, and of course, a great message. There's many reasons to see this, and for whichever ones you pick, hopefully you'll not be disappointed.
Ben Kingley is excellent. (I still cannot forgive him for appearing in Uwe Boll's "Bloodrayne", which is shameful!) A powerful story and a definite must-see film.
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