23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
previous reviewer got it wrong, October 29, 2002
This review is from: Mahabharata Film Version [VHS] (VHS Tape)
The previous reviewer appears to have watched Peter Brook's version of the Mahabharata, which was an excellent, multinational production - theatrical, epic, spare, poetic, rendered in quiet, nearly monochromatic hues and with often silent backgrounds, interspersed with periods of hauntingly beautiful music. This is totally unlike the Chopra & Chopra directed Hindi version.
If your American or European, stick with Peter Brook's version first (now available on DVD), then try the other versions -- or read William Buck's translation/rendition.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very well done take on this Epic story, September 26, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: Mahabharata Film Version [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I first watched this production on a three-tape video
around the time it came out (1989). I can't go much into technical details or give much on the cast etc. (other than to say they were superb), but I can say that it is worthwhile viewing.
I have enjoyed the Mahabharata epic for over 15 years, both for its quality as a seemingly 'larger than life' account of famous persons and events from India's religious history, as well as for its great insights into human and divine nature. For this production a very talented international cast was used and this truely epic story (which of course is edited) was presented as a it would (and did, I believe) appear on stage. Once one gets over any presumptions about what costumes and characters should look like (as they have been rendered in India and by other films, works of art etc), one will see that, all in all, for its scope, this is a well conceived and well done project. It has received unfair criticism for not "looking like" a $50 million Hollywood movie - but its not supposed to be that at all. Its a very refined and simplified - yet poignant- telling of the story's key components and remains focused on the lead players (the Pandavas, Kurus, Vyasa, & krishna). We see Krishna come to Draupadi's rescue as Yudhishtera gambles her away, the maiming of Ekalavya, the unfair demise of Abhimanyu, Duryodhana's acceptance of Karna etc - all treated very well and with emotion. At least rent it and see if you are interested in the story. For what it tries to be I give it a solid five stars, and it tries and suceeds in being 'imaginative'.
Accept it as it is and you get a beautiful and captivating version of a story which is meant for all people and all time.
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