Gandhi
Mohandas K. Gandhi, an Indian traveler in the first class compartment of a South African train is kicked off for his Indianness. Gandhi discovers the biases of South African laws and begins a peaceful protest campaign to protect the rights for all Indians living in South Africa. The government eventually relents after many arrests and unwanted attention from the rest of the world. However, it does not recognize rights for native South African blacks. Gandhi, now a national hero, is invited to India after this win. Gandhi is encouraged to continue fighting for India’s independence. Gandhi accepts and organizes an unprecedented non-violent campaign for non-cooperation, which combines millions of Indians across the country. Some setbacks occur, including violence against protesters and Gandhi’s imprisonment occasionally. The campaign attracts a lot of attention and Britain is under intense pressure. Britain, too weak after World War II to allow it to keep enforcing the will of India, finally gives India its independence. Indians are happy for this victory but they still have many problems. Nation-wide violence is triggered by religious tensions between Muslims and Hindus. Gandhi declares hunger strike and vows to not eat till the fighting ceases. Although the fighting ends eventually, however, it is still divided. The new Pakistan will be formed from the northeastern part of India and the eastern portion of India (currently Bangladesh), which are both areas where Muslims make up the majority. The hope is that violence will cease by encouraging Muslims to move into a different country. Gandhi opposes the idea and even offers to let Muhammad Ali Jinnah become India’s first prime minister. However, the Partition of India takes place. Gandhi dies trying to make peace between the two nations. This angers many people on both sides. One of them finally comes close to killing him. –gavin ([email protected])
Director: Richard Attenborough
Actors: Ben Kingsley, Candice Bergen, Edward Fox, John Gielgud, John Mills, Martin Sheen, Trevor Howard
Country: India, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States
