Overview
A powerful tale of non-violent resistance and the quest for freedom unfolds through the life of a remarkable leader.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- solemn
- inspiring
- epic
- historical film night
- political drama night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Richard Attenborough’s sympathetic historical epic and Ben Kingsley’s magnetic central performance, while some found its conventional style and hagiographic treatment limiting.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film follows Gandhi across decades of activism, imprisonment, independence, Partition, and his final efforts for peace.
Gandhi organizes non-cooperation campaigns, hunger strikes, demonstrations, and civil resistance in South Africa and India.
The central conflict concerns Indian rights under British rule and the campaign for India's independence.
Mass demonstrations, public ceremonies, marches, and national unrest are staged on an unusually broad epic scale.
Films like Gandhi, and why
The Last Emperor
historical biopic centered on a charismatic nonviolent leader confronting colonial power through mass political mobilization
The Mission
sweeping historical drama about anticolonial struggle, national identity, and the costs of political transformation
Lawrence of Arabia
prestige biographical epic combining intimate moral conviction with large-scale historical upheaval
Cry Freedom
serious historical drama about civil resistance, racial injustice, and principled leadership
Movie Details
- Director
- Richard Attenborough
- Release Date
- 1982-12-01
- Runtime
- 192 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (2580)
Cast
- Ben Kingsley
- Candice Bergen
- Edward Fox
- John Gielgud
- Trevor Howard
- John Mills
- Rohini Hattangadi
- Martin Sheen
- Ian Charleson
- Harsh Nayyar
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Gandhi about?
- A sweeping biographical epic follows Gandhi’s transformation of personal nonviolence into a mass movement for Indian independence amid colonial oppression, communal violence, and Partition.
- What is Gandhi like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Gandhi as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Gandhi violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Gandhi as moderate.
- What did critics think of Gandhi?
- Critics broadly praised Richard Attenborough’s sympathetic historical epic and Ben Kingsley’s magnetic central performance, while some found its conventional style and hagiographic treatment limiting.
- Which films are like Gandhi?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last Emperor, The Mission, Lawrence of Arabia, and Cry Freedom.
- How long is Gandhi?
- Gandhi runs 192 minutes.
- Where can I watch Gandhi?
- In United States, Gandhi streams on Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel.
