"Gandhi": Film as Theology

Abstract

In contrast to Costa Gavras' film "Missing" ("ideological voyage") Attenborough's "Gandhi" largely lacks any historical context. It is "pop history" with a "truth claim". This impression is conveyed not by falsification of historical fact but by omission of certain historically significant incidents and of all ideological controversy especially that between Gandhi and Ambedkar. There is no criticism or indictment of British imperialism. The film concentrates on Gandhi, the "metaphor", the hero and martyr, apostle of nonviolence but not of class struggle. Perhaps it is for this reason that the racist regime in South Africa finds "Gandhi" acceptable for showing even to the oppressed Blacks.