Product Details

• Actors: Gopal Roy, Chandana Banerjee
• Directors: Satyajit Ray
• Format: PAL
• Language: Bengali
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Mr Bongo Films
• DVD Release Date: September 14, 2009
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002NPXGP6
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #189,040 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada: LANGUAGES: Bengali ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), English ( Subtitles ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Black & White, Film Credits, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Two Daughters (aka: Teen Kanya) tells two tales. The first is about Nanda, a young man who leaves Calcutta to work as a postmaster in an isolated, malaria-infested village. His only solace in the village is in teaching his host, Ratan, how to read and write. The second story is about a student, Amulya, who returns to his village after finishing his exams. His widowed mother is very anxious for him to marry, and has already picked out a girl. Yet he rejects his mother's choice and, being forced to choose some girl, marries a lively tomboy who is not ready to give up her freedom. ...Two Daughters ( Teen Kanya (Three Daughters) ) ( 2 Daughters )

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars touching, beautiful and moving rendition, November 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Two Daughters [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The movie is 2 stories in one. The first one (The Postmaster) was moving. One feels for the little maid trapped in the servitude of postmasters in a small village in Bengal. Her sweet relationship with the Postmaster is brought to an abrupt end at the close of the first story. The second story is a remarkable portrayal of a tomboy of a village girl and her suitor - a relatively introvert, academically inclined man. A vivid depiction of how opposites attract, the obvious initial problems that result from it, then finally their separation and eventual unification. In one scene Ray shows the transformation of a the crying tomboy bride (since her brand new husband leaves her) into a mature woman - was a touch of class from this master craftsman. Definitely for those who love movies that leave a lasting impact.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful and unusual...., October 1, 2004

By 

D. Pawl "Dani" (Seattle) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Two Daughters [VHS] (VHS Tape)

When Satyajit Ray's films came to Seattle as part of a weekly festival back in 1995, I had never heard of him before. I was just thirteen and a real film buff. I think "Two Daughters" was the first film I saw by the master filmmaker. This particular film is like poetry. I say this because it was filmed, directed and acted in such a thoughtful and sensitive way. There is so much detail packed into every frame. I could almost smell the streets and touch the people as I watched them emerge onto the screen.

"Two Daughters" is actually two films that examine the lives of two very diverse, beautiful and complex young women.

The first part, "The Postman," examines the relationship between a postman who arrives in a community (Nandalal played by Anil Chaterjee) and a young girl who falls in love with him and ends up nursing him back to health during an outbreak of malaria (Ratan played by Chandana Banerjee). This is touching and definitely a universal relationship many can relate to, as well being poignant and heartbreaking during the final moments of the story.

The second part, "The Conclusion," is about a young man returning home from college (Amulya played by Soumitra Chatterjee) whose domineering mother wants him to settled down with a good Indian girl. His mother's choice in a suitable bride for her son is not what he has in mind. In fact, he would rather marry the town tomboy and troublemaker (Mrinmoyee played by Aparna Das Gupta). Their scenes together are amusing and also touching.

These are important films to see for anyone who is first becoming acquainted with the brilliant talent and work of Satyajit Ray. Also, anyone who wants to take a look at a delicate and exquisite style of filmmaking different from the loud, bombastic movie style of "typical" American storylines.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Postman - A Cross-Cultral Metaphor, November 24, 2000

By 

Tom Adams (http://www.savings-bond-advisor.com) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Two Daughters [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Ray's version of The Postman is one of my all-time favorite films. As a former Peace Corps Volunteer in India, I can say that this film catches the flavor of that experience completely. The postmaster from Calcutta could be from America -- or from Mars for that matter - the village life is so strange to him. As a sort of accidental by-product of being there, he absolutely changes the life of his young servant girl by teaching her how to read. She, as a sort of accidental by-product of serving him, saves his life. The ending is heartbreaking, but it's not at all clear whether the Postmaster himself - headed for home - feels the emotion.