PAKEEZAH (1972): HD (cinemascope) / Stereo (2 Ch) / Google Play - Blu-ray Forum

Hindustani · 01-12-2017, 07:49 PM

out of

Picked by The Guardian on 29th Spot as Top 100 Films ever made, Kamal Amrohi's PAKEEZAH has absolutely no weakness. And I'm making this statement after seeing it 3 times in-a-row for 3 consequitive nights. Direction is excellent. screenplay is excellent. Acting is excellent by both leads and all the supports. Background score - composition and music is probably the best bollywood will ever aspire to eclipsing that of MUGHAL-E-AZAM imo. Its hauntingly beautiful. at the same time imposing and songs are very differently composed from each other. I think all 12 ragas were used of something. Art Direction is done on huge scale brilliantly lit up at night and day. And DOP by german cinematographer Josef Wirsching moves like a serpant capturing moods, darkness, songs and drama brilliantly in cinemacope.

Powered by aging, dying Meena Kumari's steller performance spanning 14 years (Kumari's real age 23-38), Pakeezah maybe Raaj Kumar best work as well. He fails to miss even a single note. I've never seen Raaj Kumar underplay a role such calculatively and brilliantly. Film also reminds us how good was Ashok Kumar. If meena kumari is a heart of this story, Ashok Kumar is a soul of this film. Each small character is well written. Murad, Nadira are exceptional too as supports.

At the heart of it all, its Amrohi's calculated brilliant direction that gives audience just enough every minute of the film but never insults their intelligence. Rarely do we see that in Indian film makers. Mr Ray, Mr Mukharjee, Mr Khan and Mr Dutt and few other had this rare gift. He trusts his audience's to grasp the crux of the film & hold on to it firmly while its slowly being pressure cooked to its maddening, enlightening, dizzying and powerful last hour.

I wish Bhansali dissected PAKEEZAH several times before directed DEVDAS (2002). Bhansali literally lifts the dialogues from PAKEEZAH for madhuri's courtasen haveli climax scene but impact is just not the same. It turns out to be just another melodrama. I'm sure he is a huge fan of this film but extremity, unnecessary loudness, loud over-the-top direction on paper & on celluloid takes lot away from the film. I cant even comment on Mr Dutta's UMRAO JAAN (2006) as I haven't seen it as I was told it went in all the wrong directions. Now I will have to see that REM German DVD everyone talks about just to make comparisons. Lets hope some day we get to see Mr Ali's UMRAO JAAN (1981) too after restoration.

On the sad note.....

3 important cast never got to see PAKEEZAH, a completed product on big screen in 1972. Actress Meena Kumari, Cinematographer Josef Wirsching & brilliant music composer Ghulam Ali. They all passed away in the 14 years span.

For $8/-, This masterpiece is literally at a throw away price. Its a must purchase.

01-12-2017, 07:49 PM	#1
Hindustani Blu-ray Guru Member since:Dec 2014	PAKEEZAH (1972): HD (cinemascope) / Stereo (2 Ch) / Google Play out of Picked by The Guardian on 29th Spot as Top 100 Films ever made, Kamal Amrohi's PAKEEZAH has absolutely no weakness. And I'm making this statement after seeing it 3 times in-a-row for 3 consequitive nights. Direction is excellent. screenplay is excellent. Acting is excellent by both leads and all the supports. Background score - composition and music is probably the best bollywood will ever aspire to eclipsing that of MUGHAL-E-AZAM imo. Its hauntingly beautiful. at the same time imposing and songs are very differently composed from each other. I think all 12 ragas were used of something. Art Direction is done on huge scale brilliantly lit up at night and day. And DOP by german cinematographer Josef Wirsching moves like a serpant capturing moods, darkness, songs and drama brilliantly in cinemacope. Powered by aging, dying Meena Kumari's steller performance spanning 14 years (Kumari's real age 23-38), Pakeezah maybe Raaj Kumar best work as well. He fails to miss even a single note. I've never seen Raaj Kumar underplay a role such calculatively and brilliantly. Film also reminds us how good was Ashok Kumar. If meena kumari is a heart of this story, Ashok Kumar is a soul of this film. Each small character is well written. Murad, Nadira are exceptional too as supports. At the heart of it all, its Amrohi's calculated brilliant direction that gives audience just enough every minute of the film but never insults their intelligence. Rarely do we see that in Indian film makers. Mr Ray, Mr Mukharjee, Mr Khan and Mr Dutt and few other had this rare gift. He trusts his audience's to grasp the crux of the film & hold on to it firmly while its slowly being pressure cooked to its maddening, enlightening, dizzying and powerful last hour. I wish Bhansali dissected PAKEEZAH several times before directed DEVDAS (2002). Bhansali literally lifts the dialogues from PAKEEZAH for madhuri's courtasen haveli climax scene but impact is just not the same. It turns out to be just another melodrama. I'm sure he is a huge fan of this film but extremity, unnecessary loudness, loud over-the-top direction on paper & on celluloid takes lot away from the film. I cant even comment on Mr Dutta's UMRAO JAAN (2006) as I haven't seen it as I was told it went in all the wrong directions. Now I will have to see that REM German DVD everyone talks about just to make comparisons. Lets hope some day we get to see Mr Ali's UMRAO JAAN (1981) too after restoration. On the sad note..... 3 important cast never got to see PAKEEZAH, a completed product on big screen in 1972. Actress Meena Kumari, Cinematographer Josef Wirsching & brilliant music composer Ghulam Ali. They all passed away in the 14 years span. For $8/-, This masterpiece is literally at a throw away price. Its a must purchase.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals