The Mahabharata
1989
Based on the legend central to Indian culture, this tells the story of the feud between two groups of cousins which escalated and resulted in a devastating global war. Read more
| Director | Peter Brook |
|---|---|
| Genres | Drama |
loading...
The Mahabharata
Based on the legend central to Indian culture, this tells the story of the feud between two groups of cousins which escalated and resulted in a devastating global war.
| Director | Peter Brook |
|---|---|
| Studio | BFI VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 5 hrs 12 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Hearing-impaired | English |
| Released | DVD: 30 May 2005 Production year: 1989 |
| Format | DVD |
The Mahabharata (2 discs) (1989)
Or you can rent each disc individually:
-
Critics' reviews (2)
View all -
Based on a complex and subtle anonymously written Indian narrative 3,500 years old, The Mahabharata - originally... read more on Time Out
-
Brook has created a film fantasy - a fascinating combination of the earthy and the spiritual
-
Most helpful member's review
View all -
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful
An Epic Indian Poem
Considering Mahabharata is the oldest and biggest epic poem written in Sanskrit, it is surprising no one has tackled the subject with full justice apart from versions produced by India. To put it simply it is an epic tale of two related families doing battle. The Indian versions done for screen, translate it into a soap opera of Gods, Humans and monsters. That is until this version from Peter Brook.
What Peter Brook has managed to do with his ensemble of excellent multinational cast and minimalist production design is give ?Mahabharata? its true poetic character and dignity. It is no more just a tale of two feuding families, the ?Korawa?s and Pandawa?s? and the great battle between them. It is about, character, loyalty, pride, honour, betrayal, weakness, justice, love, nature, superheroes, villains, creation and destruction of nature and humanity. It is about philosophy of life that you may find is just as relevant today as it was when it was written. It is about ?Karama?.
Peter Brook?s theatrical style gives the actors a chance to deliver the characters with dignity and some excellent performances. With so many characters in this epic poem, some of the multinational actors end up playing more than one part. It is distracting for a moment, but one soon forgets the nationalities of the actors and concentrates on the character. Despite being nearly 3 hours long, it very absorbing watching. Even though I am an Indian and have previously watched the Indian versions, I had to watch it again to understand all the characters. It is no mean task to translate such a huge work for the screen. Peter Brook has managed it exceptionally well. I found it deeply poetic and moving. My daughter found parts of it very funny and others quite profound. My wife found it moving and dignified. -
Most recent members' review
View all -
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Excellent although with a bit of flaws
An excellent adaptation of the greatest epic ever written. Although there are a few flaws in this film. There are some incorrect facts compared to the indian version and some parts are a bit confusing. For example, Vyas is narrating the story to a child about his lineage but both vyas & the boy appear in the middle of the film. Also Dhuryodhan ambushing the Pandavs when they're in exile. All in all it's well worth a look. If you liked this version, definately rent out the full 16 DVD indian version. You will NOT be dissappointed
-
More like this
View allShowing 1 to 4 of 20
Related user collection
20th Century Novels as Film (172)
88% from 5 members
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
-
-
- The Mahabharata
- DVD: £12.93
Free Delivery - RRP £19.79 (you save: 35%)
Based on the legend central to Indian culture, this tells the story of the feud between two groups of cousins which escalated and resulted in a devastating global war.... -