Every day, AlloCiné recommends a film to (re)watch on TV. Tonight: the biopic of a historical peaceful figure.
In 1962, Richard Attenborough was asked by Motilal Kothari, a member of the Indian High Commission in London, to make a biopic on Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Twenty years are necessary for the filmmaker to complete this project: a river film lasting 3h10 retracing the life of this major figure of the 20th century, who worked peacefully for the independence of India.
Epic and romantic, Gandhi competes with the gigantism of Hollywood historical frescoes thanks to pharaonic means (22 million dollars budget). To cite just one example, the funeral ceremony scene was able to count on the record participation of 400,000 extras!
In the title role, Ben Kingsley – whose real name is Krishna Bhanji -, a Briton of Indian descent through his father, delivers an extraordinary composition. The physical resemblance is such that many Indians mistake him for the reincarnated ghost of Gandhi. A great figure in the theater, confined to television and supporting roles, the actor sees his film career launched at top speed. Indeed, his performance is rewarded by the New York Film Critic Award, the Golden Globe and especially by the Oscar for Best Actor.
The film also leaves with 7 other statuettes at the ceremony: Best Film, Best Direction, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sets, Best Costumes and Best Editing. With an average viewer rating of 4.1 out of 5, Gandhi is the favorite feature film of AlloCiné Internet users among Richard Attenborough’s filmography.
Gandhi by Richard Attenborough with Ben Kingsley, Edward Fox, Martin Sheen…
Tonight on Arte at 8:50 p.m.