The Rising (Mangal Pandey) (2005)

91% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(3,378 ratings)

This period epic is a tale of friendship, love, loss and betrayal set against the backdrop of the Indian Mutiny of 1857. It centers on the friendship between an Indian soldier and British commander William Gordon.

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Ketan Mehta
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Aug 12, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Apr 28, 2009
Studio: Yash Raj Films

Critic Reviews

Ray Bennett, Hollywood Reporter
Sumptuously designed and beautifully shot.
Derek Elley, Variety
A gorgeously lensed, well-structured audience-pleaser that harks back to classic Hollywood blockbusters of the '50s and '60s.
Mark R. Leeper, rec.arts.movies.reviews
This is a big, spectacular film that may even be an education for American audiences. We see little historical spectacle from Hollywood these days and hopefully Bollywood will help fill the gap.
Ethan Alter, Film Journal International
A rousing, well-made epic that deserves to find a wider audience in this country.
Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve
A lush, dashing melodrama based on the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857; beautiful costumes, dance, photography.
David Chute, L.A. Weekly
The movie never finds the right balance between momentum and exposition, and way too much historical information has been crammed into voice-over narration.
Jaspreet Pandohar, BBC
The Rising succeeds in entertaining and educating audiences about an important turning point in Indian history. However, where it stumbles is in its inability to engage on an emotional level.
Steve O'Hagan, Empire Magazine
A rousing, if melodramatic, history lesson.
Louis Proyect, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Anti-imperialist Bollywood winner
Devin Faraci, CHUD
[A]n electrifying testament to the unstoppable power of the individual to make a difference.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Duncan R

It was beautifully shot, and the message was a positive one. Unfortunately, I have a lot of gripes that prevent me from thoroughly enjoying it. For instance, the voice over narration, which was probably there for an illiterate audience who didn't speak a word of English, felt… More
It was beautifully shot, and the message was a positive one. Unfortunately, I have a lot of gripes that prevent me from thoroughly enjoying it. For instance, the voice over narration, which was probably there for an illiterate audience who didn't speak a word of English, felt like it was telling me things I either already knew, or could easily figure out. Many of the female characters were two-dimensional, and seemed to only be put in the movie to add a romantic arc and little else. A shame, seeing as the actresses involved, Amisha Patel and Rani Mukherjee in particular, were fantastic. The movie was fairly decent overall, but felt a little too "epic" for it's own good. It's lengthy running time could've been trimmed down quite a bit. The last twenty minutes, I have to say, are some of the best last twenty minutes I've ever seen in a movie, and that makes up for a lot of the gripes I initially had with it.
Leo L

An interesting movie that centralizes around the friendship between two individuals, one Indian and the other British, during British colonial India. Mangal Pandey saved William Gordon's life, and the two become good friends. Exhausted by many years of cruel tyranny, an… More
An interesting movie that centralizes around the friendship between two individuals, one Indian and the other British, during British colonial India. Mangal Pandey saved William Gordon's life, and the two become good friends. Exhausted by many years of cruel tyranny, an uprising begins in search for freedom. Great cast- Aamir Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Amisha Patel, and Toby Stephens. Worthy!

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The Rising (Mangal Pandey) (2005)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Duncan R

Leo L

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