Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001) User Reviews (317)

As a sports movie, "Lagaan" is dramatized with great élan and suspense

[Nazi_Fighter_David · 8/10 · 22 May 2008]

The setting is historical… The year is 1893… The British Raj imposes heavy taxes on the poor villagers despite all the problems droughts have caused on their income…

An arrogant army captain—unknown to him that his sister has fallen in love with a sensitive idealistic—confident in his countrymen's ability, offers the people relief if they can beat the fearsome British team at a game of cricket…

Despite its closeness to the conventions, "Lagaan" proved to be a break-out film… Besides the graceful and enchanting attractions of the song-and-dance sequences, it has a plot carefully fashioned to a special kind of audience—audience who likes sports movies…

They are minor characters compared to the captain's pretty sister (Rachel Shelley), who not only upholds the British tradition of fair play but also loses her heart to the handsome Indian hero

Just One Word: Wow!

[hokeybutt · 9/10 · 1 July 2005]

LAGAAN (4+ outta 5 stars) Years of subjugation and unfair taxation by the British Empire come to a head and the inhabitants of a small Indian farming community face off against their evil oppressors... in a cricket match??? This may seem like a ridiculous idea for a movie (and I won't even mention the fact that it's a musical) but this was the most exciting and wonderful movie I've seen in quite some time. Yes, it all comes down to a cricket match between the upper class British twits and the neophyte Indian farmers... and the movie is almost FOUR HOURS long... but, wow... what a movie this is! The slow building of trust and community among the usually-bickering villagers as they prepare for their ultimate battle is both fascinating and inspiring. It's like watching The Magnificent Seven or The Wild Bunch gathering together for a big showdown... only instead of shooting and killing... there's cricket! A cocky British Captain (Paul Blackthorne) makes a deal with the proud, young Bhuvan (Aamir Khan): he will give the entire region three years of no taxes if they can defeat the British cricket team... but if they lose they have to pay triple tax this year. Since there has been no rain all season and they can't even pay their regular taxes... this becomes a tense, do-or-die situation. Aamir Khan is terrific in the lead (he resembles a cross between Tony Curtis, Peter Sellers and Al Pacino). He is always believable, whether trying to inspire his fellow villagers or facing his English enemies in stony silence or wooing his the lovely Gauri (Gracy Singh) with song and dance. Great story! Great music! Don't miss this one!

A must see for all Indian cricket fans!

[malvika · 9/10 · 18 June 2001]

Initially I was warned about the length of the movie-3hrs and 50 mins.But believe me, its worth it.There is a refreshing Indian-ness about the movie,which is welcome after a recent bout of Hollywood remakes in Hindi that have become such an eye-sore.

The emotion that Indians share about cricket is effectively taken advantage of(the cricket match played between villagers of Champaner and the British officers which forms the climax ,extends to about an hour and a half).

The best part of the movie is the characterization of the eleven players (villagers).Aamir Khan is at his best in this movie and Gracie Singh lives the role of Gauri.The acting talents of the British actors esp. that of the officer Captain Russel(played by Paul Blackthorne) is notable.

There was never a boring moment in the film, the dialogues and songs' lyrics are very meaningful.And lastly I must appreciate the work behind the entire cricket sequence as it covers most of the aspects of the game and not to mention - match fixing,sledging,body line bowling ,making it gripping till the last ball! A must see for Indian cricket fans!

Boy, was I surprised!

[Morten H. · 10/10 · 1 March 2002]

Okay, I am not from India, not even close. I am from Scandinavia. Before Lagaan I had never watched any Hindi movies of any kind. I know about 3 words from the hindi language. And I don't like musicals much. I viewed the movie on a DVD of rather poor quality compared to the state of the art DVDs I am used to. And I was told the movie lasted close to 4(!) hours... I figured this would be a complete waste of time... BOY was I wrong! This movie is completely the opposite! It is just amazing! Mr. Gowariker has selected an incredible cast with Aamir Khan in the lead. He makes an stunning performance as the village rebel, Bhuvan. He tries to unite the village in a struggle for life against the greedy Britons. The Britons exploit the villages by collecting lagaan (tax). This means that most of the harvest surplus is gone and there is just enough left for food for the farmers themselves. It's a classic war between "David", the native villagers of India, and "Goliath", the powerful and greedy Britons. But what makes it really interesting is that this war is fought in a Cricket arena. This is a challenge from the Britons, who are well known with Cricket, against the village, where most people have never laid eyes upon a cricket bat. If the villagers win, there will be no lagaan at all, for three years! And if the Britons win, they will collect triple lagaan, which will mean the end of the village. The stakes could not be higher!!

I can't remember a movie being this thrilling and having so much life in it. And the music has a huge impact thanks to the great voices of Udit Narayan, Lata Mangeshkar etc. And the dancing is a chapter in itself! Few or none will leave this movie not remembering the song "Mitwa, sun Mitwa". It is a must see for everyone, inside and outside of India. And this movies has been totally righteously nominated for an Oscar too, and I wouldn't be surprised if it goes all the way to the top. It has my vote! It gets 10 out of 10 from me. Excellent!

A Magnificent and Overwhelming Fairytale – An Oscar Deserving

[claudio_carvalho · 10/10 · 15 July 2004]

In 1893, India was a colony of England. The starving native farmers had to pay an imposed tax to the British soldiers for the protection of their lands, delivering most of their harvest to the British Queen. In those years, the lands were very dry due to the lack of rain, and the inhabitants of Champaner decide to request to their Rajah Puran Singh (Kulbhushan Kharbanda) to waive the taxes. While waiting for the Rajah, Bhuvan (Aamir Khan), the beloved friend of Gauri (Gracy Singh), comments that the silly game of cricket was a stupid game, comparable to the Indian child game 'gilli-danda'. The nasty and arrogant Captain Andrew Russell (Paul Blackthorne), who had had a previous discussion with Bhuvan, listens to his comment and challenges Bhuvan to play a match against the British team, imposing the following condition: if the natives win the game, they would not need to pay Lagaan for the next three years. Otherwise, they would triplicate their payment in that year. Bhuvan accepts the bet despite of the opinion of his people. The sister of Captain Russell, Elizabeth Russell (Rachel Shelley), finds the competition unfair to the Indians and decides to help Bhuvan and his friends, teaching them how to play cricket.

This movie is a magnificent and overwhelming fairytale. It really deserved an Oscar nomination! The nice and well-directed story has wonderful songs and interpretations, romance, treason, dispute, drama, beautiful messages, outstanding choreography, being a stunning film indicated as family entertainment. The expensive Brazilian DVD is a shame, showing a total lack of respect of the 'Columbia Tristar Home Video' with the Brazilian costumers: the important songs do not have subtitles in Portuguese. I changed the option in the 'Menu' to 'English', and there were subtitles in English. At least in the opinion of the ridiculous Columbia representatives, Brazilians shall learn English first to understand the wonderful lyrics sang in Hindi. I feel really sorry for those who cannot understand English, since they will miss the meaning of these songs. It is amazing how 225 minutes running time passes so fast when you see such a marvelous movie. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): 'Lagaan – A Coragem de Um Povo' ('Lagaan – The Courage of a People')

Only Indian film in Channel 4's 50 Films to See Before you Die. No 55 in Empire magazines 100 Best Films of World Cinema. Time magazine's The All-TIME 25 Best Sports Movies

[Fella_shibby · 10/10 · 5 November 2013]

I still remember the long queue for the advanve booking of this film. Saw this 3 times in theatre. Then so many times on channel that I lost the count of it. What a lavish n enormous entertainment man. It is more than 3 hours long but doesn't bore u for even a minute. Awesome direction. Awesome screenplay. Awesome editing. Awesome cinematography. Awesome acting by all. Aamir khan was too good man. What an amazing performance of his as teams captain Bhuvan. This movie is more than just a sports movie. This is a great sports movie and even if you don't like sports, it is still a great movie. I highly recommend this movie to everyone. It is a movie that you should definitely see if you're down because it is a movie about hope. It is also about victory. Lovely songs n awesome music.

In 2010, the film was ranked No. 55 in Empire magazines "The 100 Best Films of World Cinema". In 2011, it was listed in Time magazine's special "The All-TIME 25 Best Sports Movies". Lagaan was listed as number 14 on Channel 4's "50 Films to See Before you Die" and was the only Indian film to be listed.

Lagaan Once Upon A Time In India

[gabriellasofia · 23 January 2003]

This movie not only opened my eyes to the beatuies of india but also the hearts of India. I fell in love with this movie at once and I feel very close to all of the characters I know them and feel for them. The dancing and singing made my heart pound and my heart overwhelmed by the matchless beauty and I was imagining myself following along with Gauri. I love this story and I could watch it daily and never tire of the beauty it holds. I have always loved indian people and the culture which they live, I am American and have never visited India,soon I will visit in person and dreams of going there will no longer tug at me . I hope to one day perform the dances as well as those in the movie. I really loved that in the movie the characters were faced with such hardship but somehow they were of cheer and sang together and lifted one anothers spirits.I love this movie some may tire of its length but I wish it would continue forever. I want to be a part of it.

the theatre cheered

[radz2682 · 8/10 · 18 August 2003]

This is actually the first ever film I have seen where the audience clapped cheered and booed effectively as if they were a part of the actual proceedings in the film. I heard someone say that they felt that they were really at a cricket match. I loved the movie even though admittedly at the time (surprising for an Indian) I didn't know cricket at all...I learned while watching it with the help of a friend but also found I didn't need to! It certainly renewed my interest and made mea cricket fan soon enough, the next match that year I watched with grave interest.

About the fikm, the acting was good. Rachel Shelly and Paul Blackthorne were impressive and unlike in other Hindi films where they are usually clichéd versions of foreign characters, they were very drawn out believable characters. Aamir Khan was definitely the star attraction (obviously) as in any case it was 'his movie' but honestly he was very good, one of hsi best performances i'd personally say. Gauri was given very little to do in the movie but she did stand out in her own way. The supporting cast were all excellent in each of their roles, although some characters were a bit too starkly depicted. The British cast on the other hand had precious little to do except look foreboding.

The setting in the Gujrati village and country was beautiful. The sets were historically accurate I've been told and the backdrop just right for the match and one would it imagine it fit into the time frame suggested. The costumes were also appropriate. I especially liked that scene where Elisabeth imagines Aamir in a suit, it worked because being who she is of course shed see him like that.)Some historians might nitpick on small points, but they were so minor that the rest of the story overshadowed these errors.

At first I wondered whether foreign viewers would understand it what the unusual concept of musical numbers, but most seem to have understood the game of cricket (non cricket playing countries I mean) and the historical context as well and seem to have also taken the musical numbers in their stride.

The only thing that got to me was the length of the movie. I really wish that they had done some serious editing, it just ran too long and the cricket match was too dragged out. It should have either focused more on the cricket match for the majority of the film, or reduced the footage of the rest of the film to balance it out. I saw many scenes that could have been edited out and were totally unnecessary.

The songs were enjoyable and only one or two were unnecessary and could have been cut down or deleted entirely, like the 'Radha Kaise Na Jale' and the song where both girls sing. Honestly this movie was one Hindi movie that did not require many songs at all if at all. A background score maybe but not 6 songs. It got tedious and it gets on the nerves especially when you've been sitting in the theatre for 2 hours and you know that there is 1 more hour to go. Luckily people with DVDs will be able to fast forward!

Although Predictable in places with characters being over-drawn or under-drawn and everyone knew the ending that was inevitable, ending, (it isn't much of a long shot at all) but we watched it for the thrill of it anyway.

The overall effect the movie was so good that I fully believe that it deserved a nomination and I never say that about most Hindi movies. Even though it did not win I'm very proud of this movie.

Great Art Movie !

[Umar Mansoor Bajwa · 10/10 · 7 October 2010]

It is seldom in this modern era of IT generation that a long movie surpassing three hours of running time and without a show of synthetic acting, vulgarity and cheap comedy, captivates the audience to stick to their seats. WELL DONE Gowarikar ...... WELL DONE Amir Khan .......

Mr. Gowarikar, please note that if this sublime film had been directed by a British or American director like Danny Boyle or Richard Attenborough .... the Oscars would have definitely flown into the laps of the director and the protagonist actor. This is not to say that your directorial skills lack the excellence to win the coveted Academy Awards, but it is to mention the inherent bias and prejudice which prevails among the jury of the Oscar Award Committee towards directors, producers and actors of the Sub-Continent namely India. Mother India (1957) met the same fate from the then jury of Academy Awards committee who simply rejected its nomination for the Oscars on the grounds that it is laden with too much songs, formulaic in nature.

Besides, the excellent performance of Amir Khan as an aggressive and challenging native youth 'Bhavan'; Rachael Shelley has put up a remarkable and evocatively strong performance as the suave young British lady Elizabeth Russell, who aspires to help out the hapless villagers from the cunning guile of his brother, Captain Russel.

Now what can one say if the members of the Oscar awarding committee do not understand the meanings of wordings of the emotionally focused songs (due to language and culture difference). It is a handicap with them and not with the local Indian movie making team.

Keeping aside this injustice, the movie characterizes pure and pristine feelings, emotions, struggle and fighting spirit of a raw and unskilled cricket team of illiterate Indian villagers who capitalized the opportunity to get waived the odious land revenue tax, with exacting standards of will power and perseverance.

After a long time, there is an Indian movie bred with the contents found in the Indian films of yester years.

the play goes on

[hart_keith · 9/10 · 8 July 2002]

I saw this in a Paris cinema on a Sunday afternoon. The French audience loved it, as did I. They clapped at the intermission and they clapped to the music while the credits were running. I thought the song and dance routines were great, providing the perfect bridge to a semi-mythologised narrative. The audience sometimes laughed at the exaggeration and coincidence of the plot, especially at the end -- the rain, the Englishwoman who never married. Astonishingly they even got the joke about 'this country will be the future of this game'. It seems that lack of knowledge of cricket and subtitles with words like 'runs', 'overs' and 'no ball' were not a handicap. Of course the pillorying of the British didn't go down badly here. I especially liked the representation of the Raj, not as a moderrnising influence, but as straight agrarian civilisation, extraction of the food from peasants' mouths.

I was on the edge of tears throughout. Why? Because this was the first Indian production that to my knowledge has won a world audience. And it provided a new sentimental bridge to the world for my own trajectory. I could see how Bollywood is the only film-making centre that actually could do what Hollywood does, but in its own distinctive way, with a much more universal human interest. And the music of course. The plot and characters were caricatured, but that made it all that more accessible and touching, like a medieval passion play. I loved the symbolic roles contrived for the Muslim, the Untouchable, the Sikh, the collaborator, the headman, the intellectual etc.

Above all, the plot of learning the game and beating the masters was perfect. It was CLR James to the tee. Beyond a Boundary indeed , with society in the shape of the crowd as much of the action as the players. And the idea of the bet! Play comes from an Old English word whose first meaning is to wager. The idea of life as a game of negotiated risks is very widespread among hunter-gatherers, where people have to be trained to respond instantly to the flash of white tail in the bush. Obviously it sometimes pays for peasants (and citydwellers) to pick up these skills. The play goes on.

I won't recommend it to my friends

[fraisedesbois · 7/10 · 19 September 2019]

What I like: Great scenes, great pictures, nice landscape: the movie looks good. Even the actors all have a memorable face, and look good on the camera. The story idea is nice, to play a sport game Indians never played against long time British players. This makes it funny also to see those unconventional players.

What I don't like: However, the action is slow and not much happens. The storyline is very much predictable, no surprises. If you don't know Cricket rules, you will still be confused how to play this game.

Overall conclusion: It's a nice movie to look at, and you may have some pleasant moments, but it's not the kind of movie you can be much excited about and tell your friends to watch.

Just saw it for the nth time (n > 25)

[idontcare634 · 10/10 · 26 February 2005]

This is one of the best entertainers from Bollywood. It has a moving story, excellent music, amazing performances and great dances. All the ingredients are perfectly balanced, resulting in a true masterpiece.

To the detractors of this movie(esp the American ones). Granted, on the average, your Hollywood movies are way better than bollywood ones. But your best movies are not even close to the good ones of Bollywood. The reason you may not be able to appreciate good movies like this is that in the US, your life is one dimensional and you don't have the different experiences that people who grow up in India have. For you guys (americans), the world starts from California on the west and ends at NY on the east.

Movies are to be enjoyed and not analyzed. If you are of the thinking type, there are lot of other things which you can analyze (proof of Fermat's last theorem for example). Don't apply your analytical skills to movies.

Spectacular and overlong Indian musical film

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 30 July 2004]

The movie is nice but a little boring because of its runtime is three hours and some and it tires until the person most patient. The yarn concerns about inhabitants of a village whose leader (Aamir Khan got his ears pierced so that he could actually wear earrings) asks the English deputies for the exemption a tax called Lagaan . Officer at command (Paul Blackthorne) will free them for three years if they earn a cricket match . The officer's sister (Rachel Shelley) will teach them to play cricket game .

The film has an excellent musical scenario , the choreography is fantastic , the songs are enjoyable . The movie was shot in villages of Bhuj (Gujarat); Bhuj was destroyed in an earthquake on 26th January 2001, six months after the movie was shot . The first Bollywood production to use synchronized sound , most Indian films are dubbed entirely in the studio in the process . Bollywood has got a lot of experience in this kind of movies . The Bollywood center is located in Bombay , where has been shot hundreds of films .

The flick mingles comedy , songs, music , cricket sport, a love story , joy and a lot of fun . The movie is an India/British production though mostly produced by the first country and specially by the main starring : Aamir Khan , a true idol in India with millions of fans. The film will appeal to the musical genre buffs and cricket lovers. Rating: 6'5/10 good . Better than average , well worth watching.

Having watched thousands of movies from very diverse backgrounds.

[new_pa2 · 1/10 · 22 June 2004]

To say it straight forward as possible, a very disappointing film, wasn't even worth a dollar to rent it. I wouldn't recommend this film at all except, for one who enjoys the experience of diversity in film making, and long, slow, typical movies and little music skits. This was a very slow predictable movie, and was throughout the 3 ½, and more, hours. The storyline seems very similar to kid's movies from Disney relating to little children playing sports and some really corny soap opera. The whole time I was expecting some in depth, mysterious, beautifully woven scenes to come in, because it was actually nominated for an Oscar and was pretty popular ,but, they never came. It didn't do anything for me personally, but, I see some people enjoy the experience of the diversity in movie making and Bollywood movies, I would recommend it those people only.

Perfect First Time Bollywood Treat

[gpadillo · 3 September 2004]

This was my first full-fledged trip into Bollywood and I couldn't have asked for a better entry. While there were some inconsistencies in sound, overall I loved the picture. Some of the songs and dances were breathtaking and emotionally charged. In particular the number where Bhuvan and the young boy are sitting on a hill and they're shrugging their shoulders, soon getting the village into the act. The other number where Bhuvan and Gauri re-enact the love of Krishna and Radha in exquisite dancing. Also there were many moments of stunning, breathtaking images, including the women of the village seated in the temple praying for salvation. Absolutely stunning.

While I feel some judicious pruning could have trimmed the nearly 4 hour long version I watched (the DVD of which included an additional 17 minutes cut from this version) the picture did not seem nearly as long as it really was.

Aamir Khan is such an instantly likable presence and Gracy Singh is simply irresistible as Gauri.

Paul Blackthorne was a hilarious, old-school villain right out of a penny dreadful melodrama – and I mean this as a compliment.

Rachel Shelley's Elizabeth was a perfect blend of Victorian reserved beauty and free spirit and noble in her heartbreak.

So many other performances ran the gamut from old school "b" stereotypical characters to some original ideas.

The blending of melodrama (in its purest sense) true comedic moments (the hen keeper), self and enlightenment culminated in the scene where Bhuvan shocks the village by touching an untouchable; his stirring, heartfelt speech about brotherhood and putting away castes shaming the village into enlightenment.

Some of the criticism leveled at Lagaan is (I believe) unduly harsh. This is a charming movie and a perfect introduction into the joys of Bollywood.

Bollywood operatic Epic : A must watch for movie lovers

[charan-tej56 · 10/10 · 3 January 2014]

First things first.its runtime is nearly 3 1/2 - 4 hours.i watched 4 hour movies before,like Sergio Leone's Once Upon a time in the West and Coppola's Apocalypse Now (special editions).even though its lengthy,i never felt bored.in fact i would love to watch it one more time.its really an Epic film in terms of its grand operatic melodramatic emotions and its musical songs.Like Titanic,the first half is about love story & how he formed the team and second half is about exciting emotional scenes.the climax is really nail biting and adrenaline pumping.the lead actor Aamir khan who looks like Tom Hanks,is fantastic.A must watch for the movie lovers.Don't miss it

It was totally an uplifting and an inspiring film...

[geomoon_luna · 8/10 · 22 January 2006]

I'm not an Indian myself, I'm a Filipina and this is actually the first Indian film I've ever seen but I was automatically enthralled as the film starts playing…I have to admit I became engrossed with the film already when the first scenes was where Aamir Khan was. Later on, as Gracie Singh performs superbly with all the musical performances, I decided from then on that I already love this movie! Even though I only have to watch thru the subtitles, it's certainly fine with me. This film was only introduced to me by my cousins during Christmas last year. From then on, I've looked everywhere for this movie in every video stores. Luckily, I got one 2weeks ago and I became so fascinated that I download pictures & wallpapers already…all about Lagaan!!! I wouldn't be posting a comment here if I didn't have the Lagaan fever!!! =p The story started in a small village of Champaner , where Bhuvan (Aamir Khan) and Gauri (Gracie Singh) are in a community of poor and innocent farmers who are happily plowing, sowing, praying for the rains and reaping their harvest. Inspite of such unwanted circumstances, they are still full of hope.

But then, a British captain, Captain Andrew (Paul Blackthorne), challenges the farmers to a cricket match. He is a capricious character that wants to burden the villagers with a land tax (Lagaan). He waived that there'll be no Lagaan for the next three years and that he'll be the one to pay it from his own pocket. Worst, if they lose, they will pay triple Lagaan for that year. He knows that the villagers are ignorant of the game and its rules. So he's pretty confident that he'll win the game… What he didn't know was that his younger sister, Elizabeth (Rachel Shelley) is completely against his outrageous ideas… Elizabeth's first meeting with Bhuvan already got her attracted to him… Unsuspectingly, all of the villagers knows that she helps them purely out of sympathy…well, I guess it was that way but she fells in love with Bhuvan later on…it just pains me to see that Elizabeth's love for Bhuvan is an unrequited one…she remained Bhuvan's Radha… The cricket match between Indians and British was really superb and very uplifting. Nevertheless, their wit and determination never let go unnoticed. Even the British officers cheered for their victory! It's really a heartwarming story…of Purity in Spirit, Sacrificial Love and that good still prevails..

Aamir Khan has absolutely a god-given talent…simply amazing…he dances like any other talented men I know who perform. He was very good in the role…he looks very appealing especially when Elizabeth imagined him in a princely suit! Gracie Singh looks convincing as Gauri who loves Bhuvan with all her heart. She looks bubbly and cute to me! She displays an excellent facial expression that she can shift from one emotion to another without any difficulty, I guess… They are really perfect for each other… On the other hand, Elizabeth may have love Bhuvan with the same intensity as with Gauri's but I guess, they weren't really meant to be with each other…the rest of the men in Bhuvan's team were also fit for their roles…they never failed to uplift, share their sentiments and inspire me…the British officials showcased a role of fairness…they sympathized and cheered with the villager's victory.

For an overall view, the movie was really amazing and I never will get tired watching it all over again. The songs were enjoyable. I can even depict it in my mind…sometimes I would hum it 'coz I cannot recite the proper lyrics…moreover, even if this film didn't win in the Oscars…it's all worth it

Once Upon A Time In India!

[anant_mathur · 10/10 · 8 May 2005]

You can add the name of Ashutosh Gowatrikar to the list of the new generation of Indian Film Directors. An amazing list with the likes of Aditya Chopra (Mohabbatein, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge), Farhan Akhtar (Dil Chahta Hai, Lakshya), Karan Johar (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai), Sooraj Barjatya (Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Hum Saath Saath Hain), Sanjay Leela Bhansali (Khamoshi, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam). And Now Ashutosh Gowatrikar (Lagaan).

When I went to see Lagaan in the theater, I had certain expectations of what the story was going to be like. But as I watched the film I realized that it was nothing like what I thought. The story was totally unexpected. It was quite a surprise. Never before has a film done that, usually the trailers, promos or songs of an Indian film give the story away and you get an idea of what the film is going to be like, but Lagaan was a total surprise.

The story is very well told and each character is well etched. Aamir Khan gives one of his best performances in the film. New find Gracy Singh gives an excellent performance. The Direction and Story of Ashutosh Gowatrikar are beyond words. After watching the film, it is very easy to see why this film was sent to the Oscars for the Best Foreign Film category.

A great movie, definitely worth watching at least 10 or 12 times.

A game of honour, a game of the lifetime

[lidkajch · 10/10 · 30 July 2006]

It's my sixth Bollywood film, and I have fallen in love with this one as much as with the others. It's not as warm and colorful as K3G or as funny as Main Hoon Na, but the story is so involving that I spent almost four hours anxiously following the main characters' efforts to win the game. I almost started to bite my nails at the end, keeping thumbs up for Bhuvan and his friends! The strength of the film lies in the fact that it shows how important cooperation, faith and effort are if you want to achieve something in your life. And although I, as a Pole, have no idea whatsoever about the rules of the game of cricket, I was not bored for a second during the second part of the movie - thanks to the director's ability to introduce tension at the right moments. I liked the songs a lot and I think they've been nicely choreographed. The camera work is good, emphasizing the dryness of the land and the hopelessness of the people anxiously waiting for the rain. To sum up, it's a good film with an interesting plot, some catchy music and nice acting. A must-see for a Bollywood fan.

I loved this movie!

[vwittren · 10/10 · 8 April 2005]

I did not even know what the term Bollywood meant. I had to look it up just now. So I am not gonna try to judge it based on where it was made. I will just tell you what I thought of it as a movie.

I have been sick and was ready to head back to bed when my brother said that this movie that just started seems pretty good. I figured I would watch a few minutes and then lay down for my well needed rest. Well, almost 4 hours later, I'm looking up the movie on IMDb.

I don't understand the game of cricket at all and, honestly, could care less. I was captivated by the characters and their plight. I was rooting for the underdog The songs were so touching and spiritual. The dance scenes, especially the love dance one, were beautiful.

I have read many comments on here that the movie was badly lip sang. I disagree. Until I read it here I hadn't noticed it at all.

Overall, I cheered, I laughed at a few of the zanier characters, and I also found myself streaming tears for the young boy. I found myself experiencing the same emotions the English woman was showing during the game.

I think they tied everything together well in the end. I ended the movie feeling like I wanted to recommend it to others.

So see the movie!! OK. I am finally off to bed.

excellent movie on a lot of levels

[T-27 · 9/10 · 27 July 2005]

Like most Bollywood films, this one satisfies on a lot of levels - music, song, dance plot. Hit has history, sports and romance. Unlike Morton, I had a good DVD copy from my local public library, the colors were brilliant and vibrant. The story contains a lot of clichés, but that's Bollywood, but at least the Victorian Indian setting gives a new twist.

At almost four hours, I did find it long. I would advise taking a break at the intermission. Maybe watch it over two nights - or make dinner during intermission!!!!

Great movie T

Great but just a bit too long

[shashwata-65131 · 7/10 · 24 July 2020]

This is an achievement in filmmaking by Ashutosh Gowarekar but it takes a bit too much time setting up its premise and charechters and situation. The sheer length of it makes it an inspiring yet tiring cinematic experience.

Wow!

[gallae · 10/10 · 5 January 2006]

I normally find sports films only mildly interesting. Stuff like Field of Dreams for example is OK, but only because it deals with big issues, like what's important in Life. Also, I normally detest Football and Cricket. When I was young I was forced to watch both - I never understood either and got bored pretty quickly. I think that Cricket is a game best broadcast on radio, and Footy on TV. Most times, they both bore me.

Not so in this case. The match only takes up the last 45 minutes of this 210+ minute film, but the build up to it is quite good filled with intrigue, a love story, and a number of song and dance routines. By the time you get to the match you are totally aware of its importance, and how the Villagers are the underdogs. I won't give away the ending, but it really is suspenseful to the very end.

If you only see one "Bollywood" film, make it this one!

superb movie

[sabhi_boothgarhia · 7/10 · 26 March 2020]

I had great interest in this movie from my childhood. superb movies. i wish amir khan again make these type of movies in future . Thanks amir,

high on gloss, low on substance

[aks_anything · 1/10 · 20 June 2001]

First movie by an actor's production house, a director high on technicality, unlimited budget and lots of publicity--- combine all this and u have lagaan. Publicised as "Once Upon a Time in India" -- the once upon a time is just incidental. It is definitely not a period movie, but emphasises on its setting to justify a large canvas. The plot is about some village people trying to beat an English team(englishmen who are the all-in-all for smooth running of the British empire) in a game of cricket so that they do not have to pay any taxes(lagaan) for the next three years. The movie is excellent technically--well choreographed songs, beautiful cinematography etc but that is all the movie has to it. The actors too play their part, which is not substantial, fairly well. The movie has been stretched to almost 4 hours but the plot deserves no more time than a routine movie..(In fact, there is not much plot at all.) There is not even a single actor other than Bhuvan(played by Aamir) which is developed. The movie focusses solely on Aamir and does not allow any other strong character to emerge. The stress on good cinematography (read good looking scenes ) is so large that peasants(poor, starving and all) living in pre-independence India wear freshly laundered (as good as new) clothes most of the time. It just does not look like that these are the poor peasants struggling to save their land but just a cricket team which is desperate to score a win over a fancied team. The love triangle is not even a triangle but a fleeting line....

All in all, a movie which looooks good but just that... Its soul is missing...

And as for the length of the movie , for people who can watch test matches from start to end may find it to their liking.