The Adventures of Goopy and Bagha

The great Satyajit Ray has become one of my favorite filmmakers, and unfortunately it's become very difficult to see most of his films in the US. GOOPY GYNE BAGHA BYNE easily ranks as one of Ray's most intriguing creations - a wonderful family film, which also contains the complex philosophies that enliven Ray's many other masterpieces. In his own film writing, Ray expressed admiration for certain experimental filmmakers who came to prominence during the 50s and 60s, and this film gave him an opportunity to do a bit of stylistic experimentation of his own, while also creating something of a tribute to his father's and grandfather's writings. The results are one of Ray's finest films.

I won't summarize the plot, which is well-described here. But I would point out several outstanding elements of GOOPY AND BAGHA - the first would be Ray's creative use of effects - apparently the film was made on a small budget, but the story is captivating enough that one doesn't really notice - such constraints force a filmmaker to rely upon his own expertise, imagination and ability to improvise and innovate, and in this regard, GOOPY AND BAGHA almost feels like a great, kids version of a 'new wave' film (in the best senses of the term) - willing to try the unexpected, and confident that the unexpected will work well.

A second strength is Ray's creation of a sophisticated family film that has much to offer adult viewers - GOOPY AND BAGHA offers a great amount of hope and strength in the face of a changing world, as the film was made at a time in which momentous and troubling events were occurring throughout the globe. I'm certain that Ray was mindful of this, and sought to incorporate a sophisticated engagement with changes in the outside world into the underlying philosophy in this dreamlike and magical film. Many writers have commented in vague fashion on Ray's 'humanism,' but the worldview expressed is far more detailed and wide-ranging than that term would imply - a well-thought way of looking at life connects all of Ray's films, and that includes this one.

A magnificent film, one very much deserving of wider appreciation around the globe.

Gupi Gyne Bagha Byne is the most famous child fantasy in bengali films.....whether a child have seen Titanic or Jurassic Park but he/she definitely have seen this movie...i first saw this movie when i was 3 yrs old.and then i have seen this movie more than 100 times.after banishing from their villages gupi n Bagha met in a jungle and became friends.and then the king of ghost impressed with their music and gave them 3 boons.first,they get food,clothes etc by clapping their hands,second,they can go wherever they want by clapping their hands,third,they'll became master of music.and then they headed to a kingdom called Shundi.where they were send to a mission which they accomplish at last.but the great director Satyajit Ray have done an wonderful job.in 1968 with a shoestring budget of 600000 rs he have done great special effects,lighting,camera work etc.so atlast i can say just one thing in the movie gupi n bagha got 3 boons and we bengalis got 1 boon which is the great Satyajit Ray.

I was not merely pleased, rather I was shockingly impressed by the level of finesse in the art work of this movie. Some of the stuff is years ahead of its times.

The dark shadows of ghosts, their dances and the part of the movie in which Goopy and Bagha meet the beings from the other side is plain superb. A must see.

It is one of the greatest as well as, one of the most under-rated masterpiece in the history of cinema (comparing its overseas success w.r.t other notable Ray films). Handling of characterizations, simplicity, political undertones, musical sensibility and the masterly crafted visual aspects not only makes it a special gift for child viewers but also becomes a coherent masterpiece for movie lovers.

It is the adventure of goopy the singer and bagha the drummer, both driven out from their kingdom because of their horrible musical cacophony, got three boons from the king of ghost and froze everyone by their music. The rest is their terrific story that tells the the music of humanity and gracious peace. All the actors, Tapen Chatterjee, Rabi Ghosh and specially Santosh Dutta gave astounding performances. And then it is Satyajit Ray, the god of cinema, has shown how beautifully a musical which is so much Indian, can be made ....all the song are so pure,freshening and lastly so deep to the roots. Many important social aspects are presented by simple and linear narratives. Even the visual stunts for ex. dancing shadows of demons (a masterly choreographed sequence), sequences when gopy and bagha moved to their desired places by clapping or the war song where sweets appear on the sky and fell on ground is starling and fresh even in Today"s intricate visual effect era.

Lastly handling of emotions, for instances the sequence where raja of Amloki drove goopy out leaving only his father in tears and despair whereas, the villagers were having fun, or fist song "dekho re" where goopy overjoyed in disbelief hearing his own voice, or the king of halla who ran in joy at the last scenes because of his freedom, will surely touch your heart. And if you see the movie carefully, u can always feel the influence of it in a deep subconscious level. Evil surrounds a major part of the human mind and beyond desire and greed all of us ultimately want to be free and happy!! Honestly speaking the movie is like a dream where the characters have become strong enough to go above bindings of anger and greed and say so simply the futility and stupidity of war.......three boons of king of ghost came out to be the boons that every human crave for......watch it not only for cinematic experience but also for its gracious humanism that is surely going to move you.....................

In today's age where most kids and family films are nothing more than mindless action or stupid humor, this was a breath of fresh air to more enchanting times back then when it was about adventure and wonder. Some kids may balk at the fact that this is black and white and from another country (including subtitles which for newcomers can get a little getting used to), but eventually they will discover this film's magic. I would like to travel to India sometime in my life for all its enchanted splendor and the adventures of the two lovable musicians captures it beautifully. The cinematography really deserves some accolades especially in the King of Ghost song and dance number that still looks a little freaky yet still delightful. I've seen Satyajit Ray's Apu trilogy which is just as magical and this movie is never boring in any frame. This one's hard to find but worth it all.