Gandhi (1982) - Review in 4K Ultra HD

      Gandhi, 1982.

      Directed by Richard Attenborough.

      Featuring Ben Kingsley, Candice Bergen, Edward Fox, John Gielgud, Trevor Howard, John Mills, and Martin Sheen.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Initially available only in the Columbia Classics: Volume 1 collection, the 4K Ultra HD edition of Gandhi, Richard Attenborough’s epic masterpiece, is now offered in a standalone Steelbook format. This edition includes four discs: a stunning 4K version of the film, a 2K version, and a code for a digital copy. It comes highly recommended.

      Among biopics, while Amadeus remains my favorite, Gandhi is a formidable competitor. Released in 1982, this grand epic from director Richard Attenborough showcases Ben Kingsley as Mohandas Gandhi, depicting his journey from a lawyer advocating for civil rights in South Africa starting in 1893 to being an activist instrumental in India’s liberation in 1947.

      The runtime of the film is three hours and 11 minutes, inclusive of a preserved intermission in the home video release. Kingsley delivers a remarkable performance in the lead role, supported by a strong cast. My only slight critique, a minor one at that, is my desire for more exploration of the secondary characters. There may be deleted scenes somewhere, but I am uncertain if they will ever be released (or if they are still in good condition).

      This is the same 4K Ultra HD version included in the Columbia Classics: Volume 1 set, with the film distributed over two 4K discs; an additional two Blu-ray discs contain another version of the film along with bonus features, plus a code for the special edition.

      I had hoped that the 4K Ultra HD format would eliminate the need for dividing a film across discs, but in this instance, the extra bandwidth allows Gandhi to have greater depth, so to speak. As I’ve remarked about other films on this format, this edition is likely the final one you’d need to own on disc. If one could travel back in time and compare this picture quality to what was seen in local theaters, it would be comparable, if not superior.

      The majority of the bonus materials can be found on the second Blu-ray, having been transferred from the original DVD release and presented in standard definition. They comprise:

      • Interviews (29:20 minutes): Kingsley and Attenborough discuss the film in a series of interviews.

      • In Search of Gandhi (9:26): Attenborough shares his insights about the film’s subject.

      • Looking Back (8:21): This retrospective examines the film's legacy and highlights the necessity of trimming it down from an original four-hour cut.

      • Madeline Slade: An Englishwoman Abroad (9:41): While I didn’t delve into the secondary characters in my review, Slade portrays Mirabehn, a British woman who journeyed to India to assist Gandhi during his fight for liberation. I would have liked to learn more about her in the film.

      • Reflections on Ben (9:23): As indicated by the title, this segment focuses on Kingsley’s performance.

      • Shooting an Epic in India (17:56): Nowadays, many sweeping shots of large crowds might utilize CGI, but filmmakers like Attenborough in the past needed to gather vast numbers of extras and travel to actual locations. This segment revisits that effort.

      • Designing Gandhi (5:38): Divided into three parts, this featurette discusses the endeavor to immerse viewers in the early 20th century.

      • The Funeral (13:34): A spoiler alert is likely unnecessary, as the movie opens with Gandhi’s assassination and then loops back.

      • The Words of Mahatma Gandhi (1:58): Some of Gandhi’s quotes are presented onscreen, highlighting their ongoing relevance.

      • Newsreel Footage: Nearly ten minutes of archival newsreel footage, showcasing how news was delivered before the ubiquity of televisions.

      • The Making of Gandhi Photo Montage (5:24): A visual montage of behind-the-scenes photos set to music.

      The first Blu-ray disc features a commentary track by Attenborough, who provides an insightful discussion on the film’s production, along with a track titled Gandhi’s Legacy: A Picture-in-Graphics Track for additional information. Attenborough has also recorded an introduction for the film.

      Lastly, the second 4K Ultra HD disc includes a pair of theatrical trailers.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

      Brad Cook