Gandhi: 25th Anniversary 2-Disc Collector's Edition

Review by Steve Rogers

Production Year: 1982
DVD Release Date: February 20, 2007
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Director: Richard Attenborough
Cast: Ben Kingsley, Martin Sheen, Candice Bergen, Roshan Seth
Genre: Drama - Historical
MPAA Rating: PG

Richard Attenborough's Gandhi swept the 1982 Academy Awards, winning eight Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director for Attenborough. The film endures as one of the last grand scale cinematic epics to be produced, covering a span of 55 years and two centuries. Unlike many of the traditional Hollywood epics however, Gandhi remains focused throughout its 3 hour and 10 minute running time on the life of a single man, whose simple virtues and uncompromising vision of non-violent resistance served as the catalyst to end British colonial rule in India and foster a pacifist philosophy with global ramifications. Many social activists and icons of the 20th Century, including Martin Luther King, Jr. and John Lennon, have acknowledge their debt to the teachings of Mohandas K. Gandhi, and he remains for many the embodiment of spiritual values triumphing over violent oppression.

This stunning new special edition celebrates the life of Gandhi and the film's achievement with a pristine new video transfer remastered in high definition and a trove of additional features, and easily trumps the original 2001 edition, no small feat considering the dazzling picture quality offered up on that disc.

The film itself is anchored by the performance of Ben Kingsley as the Mahatma. Kingsley is riveting in the lead role as he ages from an idealistic young lawyer fighting the injustices of the South African system of apartheid in 1893 to the wise old man who is content to simply inform members of the British State Department that they will eventually give up India by simply walking out. Aided by an uncanny resemblance to Gandhi, Kingsley disappears into the title role, achieving a synthesis of actor and character that infuses the film with the headstrong moral vision necessary to do justice to its subject. Kudos are also due the diverse supporting cast of Anglo and Indian actors, including Rohini Hattangadi as Gandhi's wife, Martin Sheen, and Edward Fox. Also watch for brief cameos by a then unknown Daniel Day-Lewis as a street tough and Cheers' John Ratzinger as a military jeep driver.

Gandhi remains a movie that bears repeated viewings. While some reviewers have noted the lag in dramatic action during the second half of the movie, the dramatic scope of the film, combined with Kingsley's stellar performance, are an adequate antidote to any potential attention span problems for viewers. And the Oscar-winning efforts of cinematographers Billy Williams and Ronnie Taylor in capturing the astounding vistas of the Indian landscape and the vivid color and pageantry of the culture provide a visual feast for the eyes not easily forgotten. The two most memorable scenes in the movie, the Gandhi funeral procession and the Amritsar Massacre, remain awe-inspiring achievements for both cinematographers and director. Indeed, Attenborough has provided a lesson in how to properly pace such a lengthy film and the narrative never loses steam.

Ultimately, the story of Mohatma Gandhi remains a tribute to the ability of the human spirit in overcoming insurmountable odds. The Collector's Edition of Gandhi serves testament to this legacy with an honest and just portrayal of the man.

Video Quality

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) this special edition has been remastered in high definition and presents a noticeable improvement over the 2001 releases transfer, itself a glorious rendering of the visuals. The bright colors and sweeping landscapes of India are even more beautifully presented this time around, and the picture clarity is crisp with abundant detail. In short, this is about as good as it gets (so far) for a 25-year-old movie.

Audio Quality

There is little difference from the 2001 version, with the original stereo soundtrack only slightly enhanced and again presented in 5.1 surround. Most of the audio action takes place across the front speakers, but it's highly effective with good lateral separation. Surround effects are subtle and limited, but do serve to enhance the film most notably in the wonderful score by George Fenton that features the inimitable Indian sitar master, Ravi Shankar.

Special Features

The two-disc set is packed with special features, some recycled from the original release. These include a slightly dated interview with Ben Kingsley, a trailer and newsreel footage of the real Gandhi. New features include a director's commentary track, with Attenborough providing a virtual non-stop analysis filled with interesting observations and historical anecdotes. There's also a number of new featurettes, including making of docs and additional interviews with cast and crew, along with an interactive historical timeline and vintage lobby card gallery. Most impressive among the new featurettes is "The Funeral" which chronicles the gargantuan production that resulted in the recreation of Gandhi's funeral procession with 400,000 extras!

Summary

This 25th Anniversary Collector's Edition should be a welcome addition to any DVD library. The package offers up an exemplary video and audio transfer to delight the eyes and ears, while providing a historical drama of significance to bolster the spirit. Director Attenborough has invested a large chunk of himself in this new edition and his passion for the film that became the pinnacle of his career shines through in the discs. A fine example of how a true Collector's Edition should be presented.