Famed Royal Shakespeare Company director Peter Brook helms this multinational production of India's greatest epic myth. A seemingly simple tale of two sets of semidivine brothers vying for the throne ...( read more  read more... )spirals out to include wider themes of fate, free will, and the problems of behaving dishonorably to preserve the greater good. The film, adapted from Brook's stage production, uses a presentational style, with the epic's narrator slipping in and out of the action and characters stopping to address the camera. The international cast and simple costuming add to the timeless, dreamlike feel of the story. The Mahabharata does an excellent job of reverently presenting a cherished myth without losing the passion and excitement of the story. The DVD edition includes "The Making of The Mahabharata," an interesting look at both the layers of meaning to be found in the story and the challenges in adapting it for a Western audience. --Ali Davis

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84% liked it

651 ratings

Unrated, 330 min.

Directed by: Peter Brook

Release Date: February 15, 1990

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DVD Release Date: November 26, 2002

Stats: 41 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (41)


  • November 12, 2008
    i've been watching this 5 hour film, based on the Mahabharata scripts, in my Art&TV classes, and its quite a show... has some ridiculous parts though, but thats probably because it was all made in a theatrical style.
  • June 10, 2008
    I wish I could watch every movie ever made but I sadly don't have the time. I'm not interested in this movie because I don't think I'll like it or don't know enough about it to think I might like it. I may still end up seeing it some day though.
  • September 22, 2007
    Theater-like and VERY LONG but incredible acting & simple yet beautiful direction.

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