Critic Reviews

• Geoff Andrew, Time Out

  Comparatively baroque and melodramatic in terms of its images and story, it manages to mount a lucid, finally very moving argument against the destructive nature of fanaticism and superstition.

• , New York Times

  A haunting experience, and should have been, coming from afar from a man born to make movies.

• Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

  One of Satyajit Ray's greatest early films (1962), full of sensuality and ironic undertones.

• Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

  It's a film that bears all the hallmarks of Ray's best work: gracefulness, exquisite pacing and composition, love for his characters and a deep regard for the power of silence to tell a story.

• Philip Kemp, Total Film

  Satyajit Ray's study of the destructive power of superstition is typically compassionate; there are no easy villains. Intelligent and moving.

• Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

  Ray's lyrical images reflect on how the fervor of Hinduism can sometimes lead to misplaced worship.

• , TV Guide's Movie Guide

  Ray shows compassion and insight, telling the story in a subdued but fascinating manner.

• Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)

  Lacks the enraptured rhythms of The Apu Trilogy, but engrossing all the same.

• , Film4

  Although the film is farfetched in its subject matter, Ray's extraordinary visual sense and insights take your breath away.

Read all 9 critic reviews