Gandhi Movie Analysis

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as a well-known Indian peaceful protester who made a substantial impact during the early to mid-1900s. Director Richard Attenborough developed a film about the famed leader of India titled "Gandhi". The movie portrays a biography of Gandhi's life, highlighting the importance of how he was a normal human being trying to find himself through soul-searching while retaining a friendly sense of humor. The film did an excellent job of introducing the audience to a side of Gandhi that the public was not aware of, such as how he impacted India through peaceful protests without losing hope. Although Gandhi was peaceful, his words had such might that they built his moral force. The movie introduces Gandhi to the audience as a remarkable leader who inspired change through non-violent means.
He even addresses the Brigadier of the British Empire, stating that they are not wanted in India, by saying, "Mr. Kinnoch, I beg you to accept that there is no people on Earth who would not prefer their own bad government to the good government of an alien power" (IMDB, 1990). The Brigadier is left in shock because in his mind, India is "British". The irony of this statement is that Gandhi believes that India is nothing but India, and if India were truly British, they would not be treated like true British citizens. He compares the treatment by the British to slavery, as seen when an old farmer comes to Gandhi for help because his crops cannot be sold. Around ninety-five percent of India's population is focused on agriculture. Many Indian citizens are part of the lower class; thus, Gandhi becomes part of the lower socio-economic class to make a statement. The statement is that they should rid the caste system, a Hindu class structure that determines what part of the system an individual is stuck in for their entire life based on their parents. Gandhi wants to eliminate the lowest caste system, the untouchables, by acting like one himself. This is only part of his way of showing that everyone in India must unite if they want to gain.

Gandhi is known for his wit and symbolic movements. Each peaceful protest he leads leaves the British Empire stunned. Despite multiple arrests aimed at halting his protests, the Indian population stands by him. This powerful movement leaves the British with few options, as the Indian population abides by their leader, Gandhi, similar to how the British abide by the Queen. Although there are scenes in the movie where Gandhi faces predicaments, such as when he starves himself to stop riots in India, he remains steadfast. In one particular scene, a man named Nahari confesses to Gandhi that he killed a child. Gandhi responds with advice after some thought, "I know a way out of Hell. Find a child, a child whose mother and father have been killed and raise him as your own. Only be sure that he is a Muslim and that you raise him as one" (IMDB, 1990). This response shocks the audience, as Gandhi is known for being a man of peace and forgiveness, and this scene showcases his ability to find a solution to even the most difficult problems.

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