A Few Words About A few words about…™ Gandhi - in 4k UHD Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

It's a little known fact that while Ben Kingsley was lauded for his portrayal of Gandhi in Sir Richard Attenborough's epic, he was not the first choice for the lead. Back in mid-1980, with no known Indian actors capable of taking on the role from an international marketing perspective, numerous names were in play.

Everyone from Steve McQueen to Jackie Gleason were considered for the role (too tall, too portly). But taking a page from Aurens, Sir Richard went with a moderately tall actor, Sir Ben, who would play the great Gandhi, who was 5'5".

Miraculously, he appears far shorter on screen, and it works.

As I can see neither McQueen nor Gleason in the role, the casting turned out to be not only fortuitous, but extraordinarily perfect.

What is also perfect, is Columbia's new 4k of the film (available in that beautifully designed boxed set), that allows the individual films to be kept as needed on one's shelves.

In an absolutely non-characteristic studio move, the 191 minute film is divided between two discs, properly separated at the intermission point, showing not only intelligence at the studio level, but respect for home theater enthusiasts as well as those involved in the production.

What a novel idea...

A truly great film, that can be considered a Lean-type production, and an absolutely perfect home theater presentation.

Not being in Dolby Vision also gives it a better chance at reproduction via projection, which works quite well with the film. I have no complaints.

The 70mm track has been reconfigured to Dolby Atmos, and is wonderful.

Everything is in the proper place with the release. Prospective viewers should have no fear of it being too biographical or too dry.

It's an extraordinary film at every level, making the boxed set of six an absolute steal at under $100. There are rumors that in some states the price is construed as theft.

From a personal perspective, Aurens is worth every bit of $50, Gandhi at least 40, and League another 35 or 40.

Which means that three films, even if you never watch them, are free - that would be Strangelove, Maguire and Smith.

I'm a huge fan of this film. Got to spend some time with Sir Richard in London, and was able to chat about not only Gandhi, but the shoot on
one of his early films, A Matter of Life and Death. Sweet gentleman.


4k Image – 5 - OLED Panel
4k Image - 4.75 - Projection

Audio – 5 (Dolby Atmos)

Pass / Fail – Pass

Upgrade from Blu-ray - Oh, yes!

Very Highly Recommended

RAH

 

[benbess]

Thanks for the wonderful review of this excellent film. I've watched my solid blu-ray of this at least half a dozen times in the ten years I've had it. But it's been a couple of years, and so I hope my next time will be with this improved presentation.

 

[Angelo Colombus]

I think the record still stands for the largest number of extras in one scene...300,000 for funeral of Gandhi. Great score by Ravi Shankar.

 

[ghostwind]

What is also perfect, is Columbia's new 4k of the film (available in that beautifully designed boxed set), that allows the individual films to be kept as needed on one's shelves.

I haven't seen any "unboxing" images anywhere from this set, so a quick question. Does each film come in it's own standard sized case with artwork, so that I can remove them and put them in my standard rack, with other BDs and UHDs?

 

[dpippel]

I haven't seen any "unboxing" images anywhere from this set, so a quick question. Does each film come in it's own standard sized case with artwork, so that I can remove them and put them in my standard rack, with other BDs and UHDs?

Yes.

 

[David Wilkins]

Outstanding! My second most sought after film from the set.

 

[PMF]

It’s suddenly occurred to me that of the first three films reviewed from this boxed set that I’ve met, so very long ago, at least one lead actor from each. None had disappointed. But, as it is, I don’t want to distract any attentions from this fantastic 4K collection, so I’ll just simply dispense from the dropping of their names.

P.S. At this point; with a three-for-three of perfect scores received from RAH; are there any question remaining as to the totality of excellence that lay ahead for all six? Oh, yes, it feels as if the 4K planets are about to be aligned.

 

[benbess]

It’s suddenly occurred to me that of the first three films reviewed from this boxed set that I’ve met at least one lead actor from each. As it is, though, I don’t want to distract any attentions from this fantastic 4K collection, so I’ll just simply dispense from the dropping of their names.

P.S. At this point; with a three-for-three of perfect reviews received from RAH; are there any question remaining as to the totality of excellence that lay ahead for all six? Oh, yes, it feels as if the 4K planets are all about to be aligned.

I hope you will drop the names and share some stories if you feel like it!++

 

[PMF]

I hope you will drop the names and share some stories if you feel like it!++

Well, perhaps I might; but only if Grover Crisp includes either “Oliver!” or “Funny Girl” in the next 4K boxed set of the Columbia Classics Collection (Vol. 2), to which I already can tell will be a future purchase.

Meanwhile, if Gandhi isn't already a great and unforgettable film; in and of itself; I, for one, can’t wait to see this as a restoration and in 4K, too. After all, this is a work that also belongs to the great DP Billy Williams. Gandhi, On Golden Pond, Sunday Bloody Sunday and Woman in Love; it’s high time we had more discussions concerning his career.

 

[battlebeast]

I love this film. There is something about it that just jumps out at me.
Unlike LAST EMPEROR, which I’ve never been able to get into, this one I revisit often.
Sir Ben Kingsley is incredible. Unlike other Asian portrayals (Mickey Roone, I’m looking at you!) Sir Ben actually IS part Indian.
I’m curious as to how this is an upgrade from Blu Ray. In what ways? To me the Blu Ray is stunning. What areas did they improve upon?

 

[PMF]

[...]I’m curious as to how this is an upgrade from Blu Ray. In what ways? To me the Blu Ray is stunning. What areas did they improve upon?

The marketing specs have stated that “Gandhi” was fully restored from the Original Camera Negative. Also, we’re going from Blu to 4K/UHD. And, most of all, the work on this disc was overseen by Grover Crisp. Just think of a Rolls Royce and you’ll know what I’m driving at.

 

[Robert Harris]

The marketing specs have stated that “Gandhi” was fully restored from the Original Camera Negative. Also, we’re going from Blu to 4K/UHD. And, most of all, the work on this disc was overseen by Grover Crisp. Just think of a Rolls Royce and you’ll know what I’m driving at.

With Grover it‘s all Connolly hides and Wilton leathers. Perfection.

 

[HDMS Carl Mulder]

It's a 5, but is it a reference 5 transfer? Could it be improved in anyway?

 

[owen35]

Just out of curiosity: Ghandi does not have Dolby Vision yet LOA does. With both directors no longer with us, who makes the decision to choose this standard? Both films are coming from the same studio and part of the same box set, so why the inconstancy?

 

[Tom McA]

I misread Robert's last comment and was concerned there was a Rolls Royce out there somewhere with seat hides made out of Grover from Sesame Street...

 

[Robert Harris]

Just out of curiosity: Ghandi does not have Dolby Vision yet LOA does. With both directors no longer with us, who makes the decision to choose this standard? Both films are coming from the same studio and part of the same box set, so why the inconstancy?

Aurens is the only DV of the six.

 

[Noel Aguirre]

While I thoroughly enjoyed this film at the Ziegfeld when it was first released I found it waay too long and not particularly visually arresting unlike Aurens or The Last Emperor.
I found it very Lean lite. IMHO

 

[dpippel]

I found it very Lean lite. IMHO

Not surprising, seeing as it was directed by Richard Attenborough and not David Lean.

 

[PMF]

Ah, yes, but if memory is serving me correctly, Sir David Lean had once considered directing a treatment Ghandi, as well.

 

[Noel Aguirre]

Not surprising, seeing as it was directed by Richard Attenborough and not David Lean.

I never said it was. Simply saying it was an attempt to be Lean-ish but sort of bland and predictable.