Gandhi (1982)

Synopsis of Gandhi

It was Richard Attenborough's lifelong dream to bring the life story of Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi to the screen. When it finally reached fruition in 1982, the 188-minute, Oscar-winning Gandhi was one of the most exhaustively thorough biopics ever made. The film begins in the early part of the 20th century, when Mohandas K. Gandhi (Ben Kingsley), a British-trained lawyer, forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government, Gandhi adopts a policy of "passive resistance," endeavoring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed. In the horrendous "slaughter" sequence, more extras appear on screen than in any previous historical epic. The supporting cast includes Candice Bergen as photographer Margaret Bourke-White, Athol Fugard as General Smuts, John Gielgud as Lord Irwin, John Mills as the viceroy, Martin Sheen as Walker, Trevor Howard as Judge Broomfield, and, in a tiny part as a street bully, star-to-be Daniel Day-Lewis. Gandhi won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Theatrical Feature Running Time:

191 mins

Director(s):

Richard Attenborough

Writer(s):

John Briley, Robert Bolt

Producer(s):

Terence A. Clegg, Richard Attenborough, Michael Stanley-Evans

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

PG(Questionable for Children)

• 1982 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Supporting Actress
• 1982 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Director
• 1982 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Picture
• 1982 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Actor
• 1982 - Directors Guild of America - Best Director
• 1982 - Golden Globe - Best Foreign Film
• 1982 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - New Star of the Year - Male
• 1982 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Screenplay
• 1982 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
• 1982 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Director
• 1982 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Foreign Film
• 1982 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Actor
• 1982 - National Board of Review - Best Actor
• 1982 - National Board of Review - Best Picture
• 1982 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Picture
• 1982 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Actor

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