Synopsis
The film opens with a statement from the filmmakers explaining their approach to the problem of filming Gandhi's complex life story:
“No man's life can be encompassed in one telling... least of all Gandhi's, whose passage through life was so entwined with his nation's struggle for freedom. There is no way to give each event its allotted weight, to recount the deeds and sacrifices of all the great men and women to whom he and India owe such immense debts. What can be done is to be faithful in spirit to the record of his journey, and to try to find one's way to the heart of the man...”
The film begins with Gandhi's assassination and funeral on
January 30,
1948. After an evening prayer, an elderly Gandhi is helped out for his evening walk to meet a large number of greeters and admirers. One of these visitors shoots him point blank in the chest. Gandhi exclaims, "Oh, God!" ("Hé Ram!" historically), and then falls dead. The film then cuts to a huge procession at his massive funeral, which is attended by dignitaries from around the world.
The
early life of Gandhi is neither seen nor mentioned. Instead, the story flashes back to a life-changing event: in 1893, Gandhi is thrown off a
South African train for being an Indian and traveling in a first class compartment with royal Britishers. Gandhi realizes that the laws are biased against Indians and decides to start a non-violent protest campaign for the rights of all Indians in South Africa. After numerous arrests and the unwanted attention of the world, the government finally relents by recognizing rights for Indians, though not for the native blacks of South Africa.
After this victory, Gandhi is invited back to India, where he is now considered something of a national hero. He is urged to take up the fight for India's independence from the
British Empire. Gandhi agrees, and mounts a non-violent non-cooperation campaign of unprecedented scale, coordinating millions of Indians nationwide. There are some setbacks, such as violence against the protesters and Gandhi's occasional imprisonment.
Nevertheless, the campaign generates great attention, and Britain faces intense public pressure. Too weak from
World War II to continue enforcing its will in India, Britain finally grants India's independence. Indians celebrate this victory, but their troubles are far from over. Religious tensions between
Hindus and
Muslims erupt into nation-wide violence. Gandhi declares a hunger strike, saying he will not eat until the fighting stops.
The fighting does stop eventually, but the country is divided. It is decided that the northwest area of India, and eastern part of India (current day
Bangladesh), both places where Muslims are in the majority, will become a new country called
Pakistan (West and East Pakistan respectively). It is hoped that by encouraging the Muslims to live in a separate country, violence will abate. Gandhi is opposed to the idea, and is even willing to allow
Muhammad Ali Jinnah to become the first prime minister of India, but the
Partition of India is carried out nevertheless.
Gandhi spends his last days trying to bring about peace between both nations. He thereby angers many dissidents on both sides, one of whom finally gets close enough to assassinate him in a scene at the end of the film that mirrors the opening.
Production
Cast
During pre-production, there was much speculation as to who would play the role of Gandhi. The choice was
Ben Kingsley who is partly of Indian heritage (his birth name is Krishna Bhanji). Casting director for the film was
Dolly Thakore, an Indian theatre actress who later went on to be casting director in several British Indian films.
Ratings
The film is rated PG in the
UK for violence, language, and for thematic elements.
Awards
Precursors
Popular culture references
In
The 40 Year-Old Virgin, two characters discuss smoking
marijuana when viewing the film. They later regret watching it because the smoking will give them the
munchies, whereas Gandhi is starving himself, so they feel guilty eating something.
In
State and Main a character is heard asking someone over the phone if they've seen the grosses for
Gandhi 2.
The
Leftöver Crack song "So You Wanna Be A Cop" samples bits and pieces from the "Not My Obedience" speech in the movie.
See also
References
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