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Gandhi

(1982, Rated PG, Drama, Starring Edward Fox, Ben Kingsley, Candice Bergen)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Brilliant biography will engage preteens and up.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Sterling example of non violence and the value of sticking to spiritual principles.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Beatings, a shooting massacre, civil war.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Gandhi

Parents need to know that this movie begins with Gandhi's assassination and shows brutal beatings and a violent depiction of a shooting massacre. That said, this movie -- which should be watched with your kids -- provides a brilliant way to learn about history, and about the spiritual principles of non-violence, tolerance, and self-sacrifice. It's advisable to break the movie over two nights (there is an intermission).

Read our full review by Liz Perle

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what motivated Gandhi, and why people followed him. Parallels to America's Civil Rights movement might be drawn.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    this movie is boring

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    Gandhi

    RSKKZ Rating: 10 for violence and mild language. What Rodni Says: THE GREATEST DOCUMENTARY EVER MADE! It's basically impossible to hate Gandhi, because he never fights back to the British people who beat and kill his people. They should teach kids about the Indian Revolution in American schools, because it is very similar, except the fact that it has a great message. Common Sense, this movie should have 5 stars for message and not just 3. GO GANDHI! This movie is appropriate for ages 8 and up, but I wouldn't show it to anyone under 10 because they wouldn't get it, so 9+, I guess. And you also have to appreciate movies like this because they didn't put in all this unnecessary gore (like in Glory), so that's another reason why I admire this movie. GO GANDHI!

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title off for age 8 and give it 0.0

    I'm so magic!!!

    I'm the president of jelly beans!!! I like Dr.Pepper flavored jelly beans the best!!!

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Utah
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Expose yourself to greatness!

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Good...

    We had to watch this movie in Social Studies in seventh grade and I thought it would be one of those dull educational films. It really wasn't! It was kind of sad, but really what happened. Lots of shooting and riots. Very interesting movie- it was kind of fun to watch Ben Kingsley (the actor who played Gandhi) go from looking his age to looking old- and needing to get all his hair shaved off! This was the only really funny thing, though, it's a pretty serious movie; not for little kids.

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Inspirational and Excellent!

    Gandhi is the inspirational tale of one man's fight for a free India. It shows you that you don't have to fight violent wars to get what you want. Gandhi was a clever and sweet man, and got what he wanted for India through the power of words, not fists. This movie is a great way to learn about Indian culture, Gandhi's life, and just history in general. You should also take into consideration that the movie won nine Oscars, so it is definately as good as people make it out to be. Parents should know that this movie has very strong violence. Kids that are sensitive to gory things should cover their eyes during the massacre (I did). All in all, this is a must see film for everyone and anyone!

  8. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Just wounderfull

    A film that deserved its best picture oscar. Never have i seen such an influencial film that mostly every one can see with out fear of crude material, great film must watch.

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Excellent!

    i expected this movie to be boring. it was not. it was excellent. Gandhi's life was so inspiring and he was such a powerful man... it makes you realize what one man really can do. the director does a masterful job of having just enough lovable and hateful characters, and producing their strengths and weaknesses. by the end, you really love Gandhi, and would follow him to the end, even though it was only a movie. at first, you are skeptical and spiteful of his beliefs like the Indians, and you want to fight. but then you see the power in it, and the message made even stronger, and you side with Gandhi. and when in the end Gandhi is shot like you already know he will be because you saw it in the beginning, you 100% hate his killer, and you hope that the crowd pounces on his and rips him limb from limb, until you remember Gandhi's philosophy, and realize he would not want it. all in all this is one of the best movies i have ever seen, great for all ages. there s a surprising amount of violence though, including horrible, bloody beatings, shootings, stabbings, and the detailed description of the murder of a baby by smashing its head into the wall. everyone should see this movie. it will really make you think, and it will take a while to comprehend the magnitude of what this one, small, weak man did by not hurting a fly.

  10. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Excellent movie to revisit with your children

    I saw this movie long ago when it first came out and decided a few weeks ago to watch it with my 10 year old daughter. She loved the movie. I beleive that she will benefit from watching this again in another year or so as some of the issues were a little deeper than her understanding permits --social order, violence between faiths etc. . .---but the main themes of peace, nonviolence and acceptance she appreciated and has discussed with me. She gained an appreciation of Gandhi and justice/injustice. It was an excellent movie for her to see and one that I think she will see again and has grown as a person from watching this movie.

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