With no doubt, Lagaan is an excellent film. High on entertainment, morals, production values, and emotions.
For most part, those that criticize Lagaan are either those that try to put themselves forward as being more intelligent than the masses, or those that didn’t get the true message of the film.
Lagaan is a movie about many things; not just about Cricket.
Lagaan is a movie about a war without bloodshed.
Lagaan is a movie about the triumph of human spirit.
Lagaan is a movie about unity in gender, religion, race, and class.
The movie is not just about a cricket match.
India won its independence through non-violence, and that concept is mirrored here in the way that Champaner liberates itself from the British occupation.
War doesn’t have to be fought with guns; here it is fought with bats and balls.
Human spirit is what triumphs against all odds in Lagaan and it is shown in a realistic manner.
The British were overconfident about their victory and only lightly practiced; that too half-heartedly.
Meanwhile, the villagers spent three months of intensive training, day by day.
For those three months, cricket was their life; it is what would determine their future. And the moment the final shot of this war is delivered, the triumph overcomes the viewer, and the viewer is filled with absolute joy.
Because they too see how human spirit has triumphed against all odds.
Some may complain that Lagaan shows the British in absolute negative light.
This, however, is most definitely not true. As previously stated, Lagaan is a film about unity.
First and foremost, the British in this film are British Imperialists. Saying that Lagaan is anti-British is like saying that ’’Schindler’s List’’ is anti-German.
Additionally, we see how not all the British go along with this plan.
Captain Russel’s sister feels that this is unfair, as do many of Russel’s senior officers. And, it very well is true that many of the British Imperialists at the time were that antagonizing.
Additionally, the theme of unity is brought forward throughout the film, mainly during the building of the team.
We see women, such as Gauri and Elizabeth, play an important role in the team’s victory.
We see men of all religions (Sikhism, Islam, Hinduism, etc.) working together towards victory.
When Kachra, the untouchable, is brought forward into the team, what we see is not an unrealistic speech; we see a social message.
Most throughout the world view India as a land of absolute destitution, without learning about its rich heritage or culture, or what India is capable of.
Even when India proves its worth, criticism is brought about (such as the case with nuclear testing).
Lagaan proves to the world that India is not as they think it really is.
While films like ’’Salaam Bombay!’’ are truly excellent, they only feed this general and negative perception of India.
Very well, Lagaan is worth a chance by anyone, no matter where they’re from.
Lagaan has been appreciated by foreigners throughout the world, and nothing can move it away from that.
Yeah I watched Lagaan the year it came out and I thought it was one the best movies that Indians have ever made and they should be proud of themselves.
Its movies like these that make a person feel good about themselves and it makes you want to achieve more in life.
I remember when I first watched Lagaan (4 yrs ago), it was on VHS the print was terrible but it didn’t stop me from watching it.
I loved it even though they had cut some bits out.
I later got it on DVD and I must say the quality is much better.
I kept watching this movie over and over again and have studied it also, I love the making of a movie its so intriguing.
Everyone puts on great a performance; Aamir khan is the Protagonist, he so realistic and versatile.
He has been my fav actor since watching Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, he was great, he’s the best actor of his generation and the finest actor Bollywood has at this present moment.
Gracy is new and unique she will do fine, no one would have suited as lead actress except her, a great job.
All the eleven members of the team also deserved to be applauded it was cause of them that lagaan worked, same goes for the other opposite team.
Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne have done great acting; since they can’t speak Hindi it would have been very difficult.
They bring a certain amount of realism to the story and how British people use to be like back in the late 1800’s.
But most importantly, the man behind the scene deserves the most credit Ashutosh Gowariker.
Lagaan is untouchable the writer and director.
This would not have been an easy movie to make and bringing it to silver screen is something amazing.
I have been reading other peoples comments on lagaan as well, and many people have a problem that the length of the movie is to long, (hey look at the bright side at least you get your moneys worth) I can understand, in the beginning I found the movie a tad slow but it needed to introduce you to the village, characters, and most importantly the time frame.
But once that goes ur glued to the movie till the end.
Indian movies are very different to western movies, and what makes it unique are the song and dance routines, I thought the music and lyrics were so beautiful.
The background music was superb.
People also complained that song and dance routines are waste of time I don’t think so,
I think it’s a way celebrating life and people like that.
I really wished that Lagaan would have got the Oscars, it would have been the first one for India, and all their hard work would have payed off.
I haven’t seen No Mans Land but from the sound of it, it looks good.
India just had some tough competitors.
Now that Lagaan has opened doors internationally India will very soon get an Oscar and I think it will be an Aamir Khan movie, which will get it.
Lagaan will always remain a story untouched; Wonderfully made and showcased, I would give it ten out of ten, one of the greatest movies of all time.