Freedom Now: Colonial Rule Is Overthrown in India and Africa [VHS]

Freedom Now talks to the people who witnessed and participated in the struggle for independence in India and Africa. While Mohandas Gandhi showed the world how the masses could successfully defy their imperial masters, his example spurred others on: European empires in Africa and Asia began to crumble, and in short order, Ghana, Kenya, Algeria, Mozambique, and dozens more would win their freedom.

The people remember: colonial rule, Mohandas Gandhi, Indian independence, Ghana, Kenya, Mau Mau uprisings, government corruption, a new oppression, Algeria, Mozambique.

What an opportunity squandered. This could have been a terrific history lesson if events were presented in a cogent manner. To do the topics justice this could have easily been a eight to ten hour series in the Ken Burns Civil War genere. Instead we get extremely brief "interviews" and some terrific footage.

What a disappointment! Surely a history of the Indian sub-continent and the continent of Africa deserved better. I look forward to the day when this important chapter of twentieth century history is presented in a serious manner.


A very good film for college-aged viewers   October 30, 2001
Lisa Sharlach (Birmingham)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Interesting and informative. This film puts together a variety of media clips from the colonial and independence eras, along with interviews of the men and women (now advanced in years) who discuss life under colonialism and their roles in the independence movements. It's great for college viewers in the U.S., as they often have only the very faintest glimmer about the rise and fall of imperialism in Asia/Africa. What they do know has been taught to them on classes focusing on Western history, so I like to show them this film to let them see and hear the other side of the story.


Images of Hope.   December 31, 2000
John McCormack (Mahopac, NY United States)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

If you love freedom you'll like this. Proves you can be small, few, the underdog, as long as you have a worthy cause and an iron will , success is possible no matter how great the opposition.Don't give in. Freedom Can win out.It has to for life to be worthwile; and for us to be worthy of life ...