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Poster for Gandhi

1982 | 192 min | Drama, History

Friday Night Flick

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (89% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won 8 Oscars, people are still talking about it and audiences rate it highly (7.6 out of 10). Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved The Great Escape or Empire of the Sun, start here.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Unhurried and epic, at 3 hr 12 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG: scary moments and peril. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • It's long: 3 hr 12 min.

In the early years of the 20th century, Mohandas K. Gandhi, a British-trained lawyer, forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government, Gandhi adopts a policy of 'passive resistance', endeavouring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 79 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesStrong

    7.6 out of 10

  • AwardsVery strong

    Won 8 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Picture, Academy Awards: Best Director, Academy Awards: Best Actor, Academy Awards: Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen and 4 more. Won 5 Golden Globes: Golden Globe Awards: Best Foreign Film, Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama, Golden Globe Awards: Best Director – Motion Picture, Golden Globe Awards: Best Screenplay – Motion Picture and 1 more. Won 5 BAFTAs: British Academy Film Awards: Best Film, British Academy Film Awards: Best Direction, British Academy Film Awards: Best Actor in a Leading Role, British Academy Film Awards: Best Actress in a Supporting Role and 1 more. Won 1 DGA Award: Directors Guild of America Awards: Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures. Also nominated for 3 more Oscars and 8 more BAFTAs. Plus 10 other awards.

  • Box office & staying powerStrong

    $128 million worldwide on a $22 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactVery strong

    About 452K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Richard Attenborough

  • Ben KingsleyMahatma Gandhi
  • Candice BergenMargaret Bourke-White
  • Edward FoxGeneral Dyer
  • John GielgudLord Irwin
  • Trevor HowardJudge Broomfield
  • John MillsLord Chelmsford
  • Rohini HattangadiKasturba Gandhi
  • Martin SheenVince Walker
  • Ian CharlesonReverend Charlie Andrews
  • Harsh NayyarNathuram Godse