Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8445 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-05-30
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 312 minutes

Synopsis
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.

Customer Reviews

Anthony Gopaul
I originally saw the film on Channel 4 several long years ago and read a book version by a different author.

The actual story is very complex to understand, however, this play is excellent. To explain the whole story with its sublteties is difficult. There are many contradictions about the story, however, the underlying theme of the story and acting is fantastic.

You can watch the DVD over again and pick up new meanings.

It is worth seeing if you want to get an insight into this great epic.

I am happy to provide a positive testimonial.

"Even the creator takes sides"
This is the creation of the poem to engrave drama in the hearts of man, which culminates in the 18 day war between the noble Pandava princes and their scheming cousins, the Kaurava kings that decides the fait of mankind.

We see how free will and fait can co-exist. Notice that Krishna has an agenda that may or man not be that of the other players in the game. Even in the 18 day war every rule is broken every value is destroyed, leaving no difference between whom is good or who is evil, who is an enemy or who is not. As Krishna does throughout the movie we see that the only way the Pandava can win is to use any means.

The essence of the Mahabharata was encapsulated in a 9 hour play by Peter Brook. Then the play was adapted to this six hour visual media presentation. Visually and melodically stunning this presentation is so well presented that you hardly realize the effort that went into making this representation reflect the true Mahabharata.

Mahabharata literally means Great (Maha) India (Bharat), yet its meaning is the story of mankind as one would see that mankind started in India.

There are other film and book versions of the story some better some not as good however this is a brilliant work and should not be missed.

In book form I suggest as a good starting place "Mahabharata" -The Acclaimed new rendering of an immortal epic of war and destiny. Retold by William Buck.

priceless theatrical heritage
first and foremost let's get the facts straight. this is not b.r. chopra's soap tv adaptation of the epic. neither is this a bfi sponsored telly film trying to tell us the story of the mahabharata. this is the film adaptation of the famous play.

peter brookes stage version of the mahabharata ran to packed houses and set new standards . running over 6 hours long, it tried to encompass the ethos of the grand epic of mahabharata, if not it's whole content. the film version was produced much later, and shortened the play to five hours, cutting scenes, and altering landscapes.

the end result does in no way detract us from either the play or the work itself, and does manage the convey the grandeur of the scale of the effort. granted, some scenes best came out in theatre, and some adaptations (like the chakravyuha being limited to shields rather than the ingenious network of spears in the play) are not as impressive , but, let us not crib over trifles. a film version of the greatest play in broadway (my personal choice) based on the greatest story ever told, is a heritage to be treasured , for generations.

p.s. and a two disc set for 16 quid is cheap, specially since for years, the only copy in the market was a r1 dvd imported from america. i mean, you'd have to pay 60pounds a person for seeing this on stage if it ever ran again as a play!!!!