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Gandhi poster

Movies that feel likeGandhi (1982)

In the early years of the 20th century, Mohandas K. Gandhi, a British-trained lawyer, forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government, Gandhi adopts a policy of 'passive resistance', endeavouring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed.

If you loved Gandhi, the closest films we have are Barry Lyndon (1975), Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972) and Judgment at Nuremberg (1961). All three share Gandhi's contemplative and epic feel, which is what we rank on before quality.

Seen the big three already? The under-the-radar pick below is Pather Panchali (1955).

πŸ… 89% Rotten Tomatoesβ˜… 8 IMDb β†—TMDB β†—dir. Richard Attenboroughcontemplativeepic
9 of 12 streaming nowHBO Max Β· Paramount Plus Premium Β· Criterion Channel

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If Gandhi hit the spot, these will too

Barry Lyndon poster
Barry Lyndon
1975 Β· dir. Stanley Kubrick
πŸ… 78%β˜… 8.1drama Β· history

Contemplative and epic in the same breath

An Irish rogue uses his cunning and wit to work his way up the social classes of 18th century England, transforming himself from the humble Redmond Barry into the noble Barry Lyndon.

Aguirre, the Wrath of God poster
Aguirre, the Wrath of God
1972 Β· dir. Werner Herzog
πŸ… 96%β˜… 7.8history Β· adventure Β· drama

Drama with a pulse of stillness, in both cases

The difference: Leans harder into adventure than Gandhi does

A few decades after the destruction of the Inca Empire, a Spanish expedition led by the infamous Aguirre leaves the mountains of Peru and goes down the Amazon River in search of the lost city of El Dorado. When great difficulties arise, Aguirre’s men start to wonder whether their quest will lead them to prosperity or certain death.

Judgment at Nuremberg poster
Judgment at Nuremberg
1961 Β· dir. Stanley Kramer
πŸ… 93%β˜… 8.3drama Β· history

The same preoccupation in both: world war ii

The difference: Made in the 1960s, in a different era of the craft

In 1947, four German judges who served on the bench during the Nazi regime face a military tribunal to answer charges of crimes against humanity. Chief Justice Haywood hears evidence and testimony not only from lead defendant Ernst Janning and his defense attorney Hans Rolfe, but also from the widow of a Nazi general, an idealistic U.S. Army captain and reluctant witness Irene Wallner.

Fitzcarraldo poster
Fitzcarraldo
1982 Β· dir. Werner Herzog
πŸ… 78%β˜… 7.9drama Β· adventure

Epic history, and it commits to that

Fitzcarraldo is a dreamer who plans to build an opera house in Iquitos, in the Peruvian Amazon, so, in order to finance his project, he embarks on an epic adventure to collect rubber, a very profitable product, in a remote and unexplored region of the rainforest.

Paris Is Burning poster
Paris Is Burning
1991 Β· dir. Jennie Livingston
πŸ… 99%β˜… 8.2documentary Β· historyMax

Contemplative history in both cases

Where does voguing come from, and what, exactly, is throwing shade? This landmark documentary provides a vibrant snapshot of the 1980s through the eyes of New York City's African American and Latinx Harlem drag-ball scene. Made over seven years, PARIS IS BURNING offers an intimate portrait of rival fashion "houses," from fierce contests for trophies to house mothers offering sustenance in a world rampant with homophobia, transphobia, racism, AIDS, and poverty. Featuring legendary voguers, drag queens, and trans women β€” including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, Dorian Corey, and Venus Xtravaganza.

Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India poster
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
2001 Β· dir. Ashutosh Gowariker
πŸ… 95%β˜… 8.1adventure Β· drama Β· history

Both lean on scale more than on drama

The year is 1893 and India is under British occupation. In a small village, the tyrannical Captain Russell has imposed an unprecedented land tax on its citizens. Outraged, Bhuvan, a rebellious farmer, rallies the villagers to publicly oppose the tax. Russell offers a novel way to settle the dispute: he challenges Bhuvan and his men to a game of cricket, a sport completely foreign to India. If Bhuvan and his men can defeat Russell's team, the tax will be repealed.

Throne of Blood poster
Throne of Blood
1957 Β· dir. Akira Kurosawa
πŸ… 96%β˜… 8drama Β· historyMax

The drama is handled with the same confidence

Returning to their lord's castle, samurai warriors Washizu and Miki are waylaid by a spirit who predicts their futures. When the first part of the spirit's prophecy comes true, Washizu's scheming wife, Asaji, presses him to speed up the rest of the spirit's prophecy by murdering his lord and usurping his place. Director Akira Kurosawa's resetting of William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" in feudal Japan is one of his most acclaimed films.

Spartacus poster
Spartacus
1960 Β· dir. Stanley Kubrick
πŸ… 93%β˜… 7.9history Β· drama Β· adventure

Both know what they want from history

The rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. After weeks of being trained to kill for the arena, Spartacus turns on his owners and leads the other slaves in rebellion. As the rebels move from town to town, their numbers swell as escaped slaves join their ranks. Under the leadership of Spartacus, they make their way to southern Italy, where they will cross the sea and return to their homes.

The Ten Commandments poster
The Ten Commandments
1956 Β· dir. Cecil B. DeMille
πŸ… 82%β˜… 7.9drama Β· historyParamount+

Cut from the same drama cloth

Escaping death, a Hebrew infant is raised in a royal household to become a prince. Upon discovery of his true heritage, Moses embarks on a personal quest to reclaim his destiny as the leader and liberator of the Hebrew people.

Pather Panchali poster
Pather Panchali
1955 Β· dir. Satyajit Ray
πŸ… 98%β˜… 8.2drama Β· historyMax

History approached the same way

Impoverished priest Harihar Ray, dreaming of a better life for himself and his family, leaves his rural Bengal village in search of work. Alone, his wife, Sarbojaya, looks after her rebellious daughter, Durga, and her young son, Apu, as well as Harihar's elderly aunt Indir. The children enjoy the small pleasures of their difficult life, while their parents suffer the daily indignities heaped upon them.

Milk poster
Milk
2008 Β· dir. Gus Van Sant
πŸ… 93%β˜… 7.5history Β· drama

Drama in the same key

The true story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man ever elected to public office. In San Francisco in the late 1970s, Harvey Milk becomes an activist for gay rights and inspires others to join him in his fight for equal rights that should be available to all Americans.

Labyrinth of Lies poster
Labyrinth of Lies
2014 Β· dir. Giulio Ricciarelli
πŸ… 83%β˜… 7.3drama Β· history

Both are built on the same subject: world war ii

A young prosecutor in postwar West Germany investigates a massive conspiracy to cover up the Nazi pasts of prominent public figures.

In the mood for more contemplative?

all contemplative movies β†’

The best-reviewed films that share Gandhi’s defining feeling.