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Lagaan [2001]
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It also seemed destined to fail internationally, given that it features a cricket match lasting longer than the average Hollywood film and avoids the melodramatic kitsch, camp style that is celebrated in the West as "Bollywood". Yet Lagaan was not only a huge hit domestically but was also only the third Indian film to ever be nominated for an Oscar in the foreign-language category, thanks to its outstanding performances, music and narrative. On the DVD: Lagaan on DVD is presented with good picture and sound, but otherwise has little more to offer, despite being a two-disc package. The features are less than exciting, comprising 17 minutes of deleted footage with no explanation, the theatrical trailers for two other films rather than for this film and a list of films in which several key participants have worked with no clips. Most DVDs of Indian films have an extra menu for song selections but here one has to move through the scene menu. There are subtitles in several languages. --Rachel Dwyer
RRP: £24.99
Our Price: £7.98 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Lagaan is a must-see movie for anyone with an interest in Indian cinema or cinema beyond Hollywood. Although very much within the mainstream Hindi cinema of Bombay/Mumbai in terms of its stars, use of song and dance and its length, Lagaan took a gamble with the domestic Indian audience. It breaks all contemporary conventions of Hindi film by being set in an Indian village during the British Raj, far away from the more usual modern metropolitan cities and exotic foreign locations.
High Times
Review date: 2008-02-01 Rating: 10 out of 10
Lagaan stands for Land Tax - the film revolves around the dilemma of keeping principles. It is set in the Victorian period of the British Raj. The sory tells of peasants from a barren village who are oppressed by high British taxes.
When the peasants try to persuade the officers for reducing the taxes, a proposition to cancel the taxes for three years is put forward: the village team must beat the officers at cricket. The villagers face the arduous task of learning the game, and to play for a result that will change destiny.
Director Ashutosh Gowariker achieved a masterpiece of grand entertainment which has deservedly garnered its many nominations and prizes.
The film review from The Guardian said that "Lagaan is a lavish epic, a gorgeous love story, and a rollicking adventure yarn. Larger than life and outrageously enjoyable, it's got a dash of spaghetti western, a hint of Kurosawa, with a bracing shot of Kipling."
Great stuff indeed!!
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Reviews
Enjoyable
Review date: 2007-08-29 Rating: 8 out of 10
Never watched an Indian-cinema film, or a "Bollywood" movie before (not sure which category this one falls under), and I hate musicals ;-) but I enjoyed the first half of this film. I didnt get to watch the 2nd half because I got it thru Amazon's DVD rental service and they only sent the first disc (no idea if my fault or theirs, but if you are looking to rent, be aware).
So I can't really rate it as I only saw half the film, (oops, I can't submit this without a rating, so I give it 4) but what I did see was enjoyable and thought-provoking, which I think speaks volumes when you consider I hate musicals (did I say that already)
Bollywood...with spectacle, romance and cricket
Review date: 2007-08-08 Rating: 10 out of 10
A group of poor Indian villagers in colonial India challenge the aristo officers of a British army company to a game of cricket. I think its cricket; there's a lot of endless running between two posts. If the villagers win, their taxes are repealed. If they lose, the taxes are doubled. And, of course, the villagers have never played cricket before.
The film has romance, good humor, near tragedy, first-rate photography, the plucky underdogs, the condescending upperdogs, and some terrific Bollywood musical numbers tossed in here and there. It's romantic, good-hearted, touching. It's unlike anything I'd seen before. It's worth a purchase.
Lagaan an inspirational film
Review date: 2007-07-25 Rating: 10 out of 10
The one word I can think of to describe this film is `epic'. This is a truly great and highly original film and the fact that it was nominated for an Oscar proves it.
Most Indian Blockbusters are love stories of some form, However Lagaan may have a love story intertwined into it but the actual story of the film is greater than any love story. It takes the sport of Cricket loved by Asians and makes it a crucial part of the film. What an original and exciting story! They need to beat the English in a match of cricket in order for their taxes to be cut, however, should they lose they will have to pay triple tax. For the English it is a laughable match which they believe they will win easily, but for the Indians of the village it is a match that will change their lives and is about survival. However, these are Indians who have no idea about the game of cricket!
Buvan, played tremendously by Aamir Khan, shows independence and stands up to the English Lieutenant as he takes on the challenge. The other villagers curse him and call him crazy, but he is determined to show them that they can do it if they try. Gradually the other villagers side with him as he sets up a team. A major factor in them bettering their game comes with the lieutenants sister, Elizabeth who shows them the rules and skills of the game. Set in a time when Britain ruled India, this film portrays Indian's struggles against the English. This is shown in the shocking scene where the Raj is told to eat meat when it is against his religion. Therefore, the cricket match is about the Indians standing up for themselves and maintaining their status in their own country.
The love element comes with Elizabeth finding herself falling in love with Bhuvan, causing Gori to feel jealousy, however Bhuvan only has eyes for Gori. The darkest character of the film Lakha, despises Buvan as he himself loves Gori and sides with the English to defeat Bhuvan. However, when his cunningness is discovered he repents, proving to work hard to be an asset to the team. Lakha's sudden change shows how the Indians are united and will come together to fight the English.
The songs Chale Chalo and Mitwa really do suit the whole theme of the film as they have an underlying fighting spirit. The cricket match that the audience has been looking forward to is highly thrilling and can compete with any world cup final! This is a type of film that is very rare and I myself am left awestruck after each viewing at its magnificence.
Good cricket old boy!
Review date: 2007-02-02 Rating: 8 out of 10
Bollywood delights and terrifies in equal measure, but if you have aquired this most aquired of tastes (not if your Indian of course!) then you can hardly ask for more. Khan is a charismatic villager who takes a bet, win the cricket match against Evil English and no lagaan, lose and triple lagaan (=tax, my first hindi word!). The result is compelling. You build a real affection for the individuals in the team which are archtypical rather than steriotypical. The songs I have been humming all day even though I don't have a clue what they mean.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Paul Blackthorne
Aamir Khan
Suhasini Mulay
Gracy Singh
Rachel Shelley
Creators:
Aamir Khan (Primary Contributor)
Gracy Singh (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
EAN: 5035822337534
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Box set, Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2002-05-27
Number of discs: 2
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 216 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2002-05-08
Language: Hindi (Original Language)
Language: Arabic (Subtitled)
Language: Bulgarian (Subtitled)
Language: Czech (Subtitled)
Language: Danish (Subtitled)
Language: Dutch (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Finnish (Subtitled)
Language: Greek (Subtitled)
Language: Hebrew (Subtitled)
Language: Hindi (Subtitled)
Language: Hungarian (Subtitled)
Language: Icelandic (Subtitled)
Language: Norwegian (Subtitled)
Language: Polish (Subtitled)
Language: Swedish (Subtitled)
Language: Turkish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Dubbed)