Gandhi (PG)

Brilliant biography will engage preteens and up.

(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

Common Sense rates it
5
Seen the movie? Review it
3378_orig.jpg
Movie details
  • Studio: Tristar Pictures
  • Directed By: Richard Attenborough
  • Cast: Edward Fox, Ben Kingsley, Candice Bergen
  • Running Time: 190 minutes
  • Release Date: 12/08/1982
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 08/27/2001
  • Genre: Drama
  • MPAA Rating: PG
  • MPAA Explanation: some violence

Parents need to know

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).

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

Message

Social Behavior:

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

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Beatings, a shooting massacre, civil war.

Sex

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Liz Perle

Director Richard Attenborough’s extensive biopic of Gandhi (Ben Kingsley) begins as influential Indian spiritual and political leader takes a stand against the Pass Laws in South Africa and implements his methods of non-violent protest for the first time. The film spans Gandhi's adult life showing how his spiritual principles of equality, tolerance, and non-violence inspired India to push for independence from British rule. The movie pulls no punches in showing the violence that came out of the partition of India into India and Pakistan.

Is it any good?

5
Weighing in at 3+ hours, this amazing biopic is a must-see for families with an interest in history or civil rights. Ben Kingsley is brilliant as Gandhi and the cast includes such luminaries as Sir John Gielgud, Candice Bergen, Martin Sheen, Roshan Seth, Trevor Howard, and Edward Fox.

Other choices

Missisippi Burning
Malcolm X

The Jewel in the Crown
Support Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is a non-profit and will receive a portion of your purchase from Pricegrabber. Learn more.

Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 8 reviews.

0

Posted on 06/22/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

I'm so magic!!!

I'm the president of jelly beans!!! I like Dr.Pepper flavored jelly beans the best!!!
5


Posted on 11/13/07 by jengwilson Adult contributor

Expose yourself to greatness!

4

Posted on 06/02/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 14

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.
5


Posted on 04/24/07 by Movieman Kid contributor, age 11
5

Posted on 01/15/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 11

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!
5


Posted on 06/03/06 by inspiration-bg Kid contributor, age 16

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.
5


Posted on 05/24/06 by thewittyman27 Kid contributor, age 13

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.
5


Posted on 12/01/05 by Finneylm Adult contributor

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.

See all 8 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 3 reviews.

0

Posted on 06/22/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

I'm so magic!!!

I'm the president of jelly beans!!! I like Dr.Pepper flavored jelly beans the best!!!
5


Posted on 11/13/07 by jengwilson Adult contributor

Expose yourself to greatness!

5


Posted on 12/01/05 by Finneylm Adult contributor

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.

Kids Reviews

There are 5 reviews.

4

Posted on 06/02/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 14

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.
5


Posted on 04/24/07 by Movieman Kid contributor, age 11
5

Posted on 01/15/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 11

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!
5


Posted on 06/03/06 by inspiration-bg Kid contributor, age 16

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.
5


Posted on 05/24/06 by thewittyman27 Kid contributor, age 13

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.
Review It

Great Fantasy Books for Harry Potter Fans

Great Fantasy Books for Harry Potter Fans
Which fantasy book creature has the best name?
Fluffy (3-headed dog, Harry Potter)
50%
Mister Grin (giant crocodile, Peter and the Starcatchers)
0%
Vermicious Knid (shapeshifting monster, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator)
0%
The Incredibly Deadly Viper (harmless snake, Series of Unfortunate Events)
0%
Bunnicula (vampire bunny, Bunnicula series)
50%
2 votes