The Mahabharata [DVD]

Starring: Erika Alexander, Maurice Bénichou, Amba Bihler, et al.

One of the great masterpieces of world literature comes to vivid life in an elaborate production from acclaimed theater and film innovator Peter Brook (Marat/Sade, Lord of the Flies). This collection... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: DVD
• Language: English
• Release Date: November 2002
• Rating: Unrated (Not Rated)
• Publisher: Image Entertainment
• Director: Peter Brook
• Starring: Erika Alexander, Maurice Bénichou, Amba Bihler, Lou Bihler, Urs Bihler, Ryszard Cieslak, Georges Corraface, Jean-Paul Denizon, Mamadou Dioumé, Miriam Goldschmidt
• Number of Disks: 2
• Other Video Info: Color; DVD; Full Screen; NTSC
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

"Even the creator takes sides".

This is the creation of the poem to engrave drama in the hearts of men, which culminates in the 18-day war between the n-o-b-l-e Pandava princes and their scheming cousins, the Kaurava kings, that decides the fate of mankind. We see how free will and faith can co-exist. Notice that Krishna has an agenda that may or may not be that of the other players in the game. Even in the 18-day war, every rule is broken, every value is destroyed, leaving no difference between who is good or who is evil, who is an enemy, or who is not. As Krishna does throughout the movie, we see that the only way the Pandavas can win is to use any means. Peter Brook encapsulated the essence of the Mahabharata in a 9-hour play. Then the play was adapted to this six-hour visual media presentation. Visually and melodically stunning, this presentation is so well presented that you hardly realize the effort that went into making this representation reflect the true Mahabharata. Mahabharata means Great (Maha) India (Bharat), yet its meaning is the story of mankind, as one would see that mankind started in India. There are other films and book versions of the story, some better, some not as good; however, this is a brilliant work and should not be missed. In book form, I suggest as a good starting place "Mahabharata" -The Acclaimed new rendering of an immortal epic of war and destiny. Retold by William Buck. Also, do not overlook "The Power of Myth" -- by Joseph Campbell, Bill Moyers.