| Until Steven Spielberg (or someone equally influential) understands that Hollywood has at its command the technology to film "RAMAYANA" in at least as spectacular a fashion as "LORD OF THE RINGS" (the parting of the Red Sea sequence in the TEN COMMANDMENTS has nothing on RAMAYANA for special-effects potential) this is the best video version of the great Indian Epic going, period ... despite its technical shortcomings; I think there's got to be something in the tacky makeup and cheesy special effects that renders this production endearing in the long run. Unfortunately, I think there's a belief in the Western entertainment industry that there wouldn't be an audience for this, or any of the other Indian Epics, outside of maybe a small scholarly community of non-Indians in North America or elsewhere. I believe they are wrong. In filling the gap for that audience in the meantime, we have this set. My only complaint is that it was regrettable Ramanand Sagar's colossal ego did not allow for "Behind The Scenes" making-of features, and interviews with the popular artists - Arun Govil, Dipika and Dara Singh especially, that starred in the production. Otherwise, all we're left with is hour after hour of "Ramanand Sagar: The Living Legend" for so-called "extra features" ... strange, since he presented himself here as a Rama Bhakta. B.R. Chopra's production of MAHABHARATA provides these type of extra background features on every disc, while keeping his own personal appearances to a minimum. Perhaps the inheritors of Sagar's legacy will allow this correction in a future re-issue, although the size of the package may be prohibitive to that happening any time soon. |
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