Lagaan - Once upon a Time in India - 2-Disc Collectors Edition - All Regions DVD - PAL - Aamir Khan - Bollywood - English Subtitles

This is one of the best films I've seen in a while. It isn't surprising at all to me to find that more and more quality films are coming from other countries, and India with its over 900 films a year coming out of Bollywood, the world is taking notice.This is a wonderful musical film set in 1893 India which is under control of the British. A small village is offered a challenge by the local British magistrate, Captain Russell: beat us in cricket and we will lift your tax (lagaan) for the next 3 years. Lose, and you must pay three times the tax. The catch: three times the tax (even double) will destroy the economy and livelihood of the village, plus, the villagers don't know anything about cricket!Bhuvan is the young man who is offered the challenge. He sees this as an opportunity to be rid of the British oppression for three years, despite the possible destruction of the village.The other villagers are angry with him at first. The sister of the British magistrate decides to help them as she quickly find herself falling for the rugged yet determined Bhuvan. She happens to be the sister of Captain Russell and feels that he is being cruelly unfair to these poor villagers.Bhuvan slowly wins over the support of the villagers as they begin to expand their knowledge of cricket. Their team is a hodge-podge of players with interesting talents: one is a fortune-teller, another is a master with a slingshot; another has quick hands as he's used to catching chickens, while still another (an untouchable with a disability) can make the ball spin when he throws it.The film has about 6-7 musical numbers. Anyone who isn't familiar with India, is in for a treat, as India is renowned for their song and dance. The songs are largely spiritual, lively, and joyous! The last song is somber, sweet, and full of power as the entire village sings a chant to God, asking for his help as they face a near impossible challenge. Shahrukh Khan, a popular Indian actor, explains that song and dance is as important in Indian cinema as special effects are in Hollywood.Aamir Khan is wonderful in this film as Bhuvan. He plays Bhuvan as a young, idealistic man who is determined to beat the British. "This is not a game," he says. "This is about our survival."Grace Singh plays Gauri, a young Indian woman who is in love with Bhuvan and isn't too happy with the attentions that the British woman is putting on him. She plays the role with the gentle sweetness of a girl in love and is willing to follow Bhuvan no matter what.This is a sports movie and a musical all in one. It will leave you cheering and clapping to the music and for the underdog villagers as they attempt to defeat the British in this "silly, stupid game!"Unfortunately, American studios aren't making films like this anymore: films that are all-around fun and entertaining for the whole family. There is no language outside of "hell" and "damn" in this film, little violence, and no sex or nudity. It makes you long for the American films of yester-year like an American in Paris, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Singing in the Rain. It isn't hard at all to wonder why Bollywood films are winning over hearts all over the world. Can you think of many Hollywood films that can combine spirtual music and dance with the film? And this is a major aspect that makes films like these all the more refreshing to watch.When you have a good 4 hours to spend with your family, you can't go wrong with this film.

Note: this is not a review of the disc, but the movie itself.The following may contain spoilers:This is one of my top ten movies. An investment of time, and worth it.I wrote a critical analysis of it for a graduate school seminar, a post-colonial literature class. Aamir Khan's reputation for a flawless work ethic soars -- every detail works, and the end result is magical."Lagaan" must be experienced: the symbolism, the details, the storyline are an homage to Gandhi, ahimsa, and the triumph of good over evil. Khan's political and social concerns are laid bare, his anti-Imperialism unvarnished.But it's more than politics, thinly veiled. It's about the power of non-violence to triumph. It's a love story. It's a spiritual manifesto, of sorts. It's about the power of compassion and goodness over cruelty and greed. It's a story of idealism and fearlessness, the quintessential underdog movie; and I would argue it is the best underdog movie ever produced, for it incorporates the elements of India's caste system, British Imperialism, and grants the most unseemly -- a lame untouchable -- humanity.This isn't about a single underdog, but a motley crew finding something larger, with Khan's character referencing the power of Gandhi's non-violent philosophy, and India's basis for independence.For this reason the lame hand delivers victory over the iron fist: this is the movie's central symbolism, brilliantly developed throughout, in various ways.Cannot recommend enough: Khan should have received the Oscar for Best Foreign Film.

Product arrived on time in adequate, though not pristine condition. However, to my surprise it was in Hindi, with NO SUBTITLES.

As other reviews have said, the core plot of Lagaan revolves around the desperation of Indian villagers under callous British oppression. Years of drought have made it impossible for the locals to pay the tax that is used to maintain the British presence in their midst. Their attempt to get the tax postponed or forgiven fails, and their angry, frustrated young unofficial spokesman impulsively stakes the villagers' future on a cricket match against the British team. Do the Indians know how to play? No. Do they have even the beginnings of a team? No. But it doesn't matter -- they have to win this match or face starvation. It's an old-style movie with all of the predictable bits and a few that could happen only in India -- good versus evil, bold youth versus cautious old age, preserving one's culture and identity versus going with changing times, untouchables versus the other castes, locals versus invaders, a few good people among the villains and a few bad ones among the lowly good guys. Love relationships are played out in parallel to an ancient Indian folk tale told through an Indian holiday celebration. Song and dance -- amateurishly lip-synched and energetically performed -- occur at the expected moments. This is a film that must be taken seriously for the sincerety and universality of its message and, at the same time, a bit lightly for the unsophisticated way in which it has been made. I loved it, and -- the next time I have four hours to spare -- will watch it again, even though I will know how it ends. Actually, I knew how it was going to end while I was watching it the first time. So will you, and it won't matter a bit. It's a lot of what it is.