Rising, The - Ballad Of Mangal Pandey on DVD

R and N from England , 15/08/2005

It might not be an accurate historical representation of events, but it is not a history book after all. This is just pure entertainment with all the Bollywood bits but done surprisingly well. Acting is great, Aamir Khan looks unrecognisable. Songs are lovely. It is worth watching if for the costumes alone. Overall, great pleasure to watch, keeps you on the edge of your seat, brings tears to your eyes and makes you laugh (watch out for the scene with Pandey and 'gora' full of bhang and singing). There is an air of quality about this movie which is very impressive. Greatly recommended.

  10 out of 10 people found this review helpful

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KA from Wolverhampton , England , 06/09/2005

A subject full of drama handled beautifully in parts but the female characters are not done justice in creation. Songs seem superfluous and the latter half could have been made more gripping than it is. The build up to the start of the war lacks the adrenalin except for Aamir's performance. Surely the throbbing anticipation of the time could have been captured better. However, Amir Khan and Toby stephens are the highlights and some of the scenes in which they both appear are wonderful to watch. It has the ability to bring out a lump in your throat and tears but overall the film falls surprisingly short of the heights it could have reached.

  2 out of 3 people found this review helpful

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Deven Deshpande from Stroud, Gloucestershire , 24/04/2006

Considering his superb performance in earlier hits - Dil Chahta Hai and Lagaan - the Mangal Pandey story doesnt suit Amir Khan. The portrayal of Mangal Pandey looks too artificial and shabbily handled at times. And all those songs with prostitues....

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

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Sunny Ghataura from london, england , 21/10/2005

This is a film worth watching, it deplicts the rise of india in its first steps to independence from the British Raj.

The Casting is well done, and the parts acted brillently. Amair Khan shows that is is able to play and carry a seriouse role and portay his caracters emotions.

The only down side to the film is that Rani Mukerjee only has a small part in the film but its always worth wathcing her films.

Note also that some of the songs are resung in the film with different tempo's and help carry the film as they tend to act as a intro to whats happenining in the film.

10/10 would recommend to anyone

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KA from Wolverhampton , England , 06/09/2005

A subject full of drama handled beautifully in parts but the female characters are not done justice in creation. Songs seem superfluous and the latter half could have been made more gripping than it is. The build up to the start of the war lacks the adrenalin except for Aamir's performance. Surely the throbbing anticipation of the time could have been captured better. However, Amir Khan and Toby stephens are the highlights and some of the scenes in which they both appear are wonderful to watch. It has the ability to bring out a lump in your throat and tears but overall the film falls surprisingly short of the heights it could have reached.

  2 out of 3 people found this review helpful

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Ashish De from London, UK. , 07/11/2006

Inspite of the best cast and technicians the film fails to hold your attention. As you move from scene to scene, the director fails to keep you engrossed and inspired. Ketan Mehta the director hasn’t put his heart and soul into the move. And so has A.R.Rehman. At times the music is jarring and annoying.

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