Peter Brook's the Mahabharata

Peter Brook's magnum opus- The Mahabharata is a film everyone should watch- not only does it magnificently translate a difficult play on screen, it captures all the inherent philosophies of what is perhaps the greatest epic ever written. The acting is top notch and the style of storytelling unique- the 5 hour running time slips past unnoticed.

One scene which deserves particular mention is the story of Ahbimanyu and the magic disc- it is so wonderfully handled and serves as one of the high points of the movie.

Perhaps the ending slackens the pace a bit, but is still apt and a fitting one.

It's not just an "epic" or "fable". It is a unique and great work of art. It's a masterpiece for those who can understand the special and complex language of Brooks' narration. And this picture will especially interest those who love and understand modern theater (don't forget - it's not just a movie, it's a TV-version of a stage presentation). I saw it four times (all 5 and a half hours at once) and all the time I was literally mesmerized by the greatness of "Mahabharata".

Brooks has done an amazing job of distilling the monumental indian epic into less than a 6 hour film. In the process, a lot of good stuff had to left out, but what remains is pure gold.

The style is spare and theatrical, with fairly minimal sets. Rather than detracting from the sense of immediacy, however, the lack of background serves to throw the characters into bolder relief. And what characters! Arjuna, Yudhisthira, Draupadi, Bhima, Krishna - marvelous characters all. And the 'bad guys' are nearly as good - flawed, but complex and even somewhat sympathetic. The minor characters too are arresting - bhishma and drona especially.

This movie translates the power of myth to the screen better than any other by far. Maybe when LotR is complete that will change, but for now Mahabharata reigns supreme.

Very simply get a comfortable chair and be ready for a magnificent journey. You will get "inside" the movie and not realise that 5 hours have gone by when it will end. This is one the best movies ever, not only it is entertaining but it will help you get a glimpse of a very foreign culture. The characters will talk to you on an immediate and direct level and, unusually, they will stay with you for a long time. You will find yourself thinking back at this movie, from time to time, and compare what you are living in real life with what happened in the movie. Peter Brook is master and I definitely think this is his best movie ever. Just relax and enjoy.

This adaptation of the original play by Juan-Claude Carriere, which was three hours longer (and was in turn the adaptation of the classic poem, which is 15 times the size of the Bible!) will be, for many, the only version they will ever know of the Mahabharata. But rest assured, the essential is all here: all the wisdom, passion and emotion of one of the three or four truly immortal works of literature. This should not be viewed as a feature film, but as the filming of a theater play. Then you will be able to appreciate better the great work of almost every actor and actress, and the sheer boldness of their performance and the director's vision. A clue is the great variety of nationalities and accents: the Mahabharata is a literary work that belongs to all of us.