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The Mahabharata

1990Show1 season3 episodesNR

69
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.8

A deeply moving, intricate series about history and war, with standout direction and performances.

Good for friends night · binge-friendly · thought-provoking

Skip it if you want fast pacing · you want to half-watch while scrolling

Where to watch

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Not streaming in any country yet.

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Not for laughs, scares or warmth.

Shows with

Episodes

1 season · 3 episodes · best: S1E1 "Game of Dice" 7.6

Episodes

7.4

Story

The Mahabharata is a 1989 film version of the Indian epic based on the history of India, Mahabharata directed by Peter Brook. Brook's original 1985 stage play was 9 hours long, and toured around the world for four years. In 1989, it was reduced to under 6 hours for television. Later it was also reduced to about 3 hours for theatrical and DVD release. The screenplay was the result of eight years' work by Peter Brook, Jean-Claude Carrière and Marie-Hélène Estienne. For the casting an international selection of actors was intentionally chosen, to show that the nature of the Indian epic is the story of all humanity.

Feels like

  • Epic Historical Drama
  • Philosophical Exploration
  • Spiritual Warfare
  • Ancient Indian Saga
  • Grand Scale Narrative
  • Complex Family Feud
  • Moral Dilemmas
  • Universal Themes
  • Rich Dialogue
  • Cultural Landmark

Cast

24 of 24 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Peter Brook
Written by
Jean-Claude Carrière, Peter Brook, Marie-Hélène Estienne
Produced by
Michel Propper
Music by
Toshi Tsuchitori, Kudsi Erguner, Mahmoud Tabrizi-Zadeh

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

March 10, 1990 · March 24, 1990 · Ended

First aired
March 10, 1990
Last aired
March 24, 1990
Status
Ended
Length
1 season · 3 episodes
Age rating
NR
Content
Violence, Disturbing Imagery
Original language
English
Made in
France, United Kingdom

Q&A

4 questions, like "Is The Mahabharata worth watching?"

Questions about The Mahabharata

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is The Mahabharata worth watching?

69
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 69 (IMDb 7.8).

How long does it take to watch The Mahabharata?

5 h

About 5 hours: 3 episodes in 1 season of about 104 minutes each, aired from 1990 to 1990.

Can I half-watch The Mahabharata?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for complexity and 9 for philosophical.

Is The Mahabharata plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (9 of 10) more than on its plot.