Comprising Pather Panchali (1955), Aparajito (1956) and The World of Apu (1959). The 'Apu Trilogy' is justly celebrated as Satyajit Ray's finest achievement in film. The three films, each a masterpiece in their own right, are enormously touching in their simplicity, emotional sweep and visual beauty. In Ray's extraordinarily accomplished debut "Pather Panchali", he begins the story of Apu, a boy born into a poor but loving family in rural Bengal. His story continues with his adolescence in 'Aparajito', whil 'The World of Apu' encompasses the extremes of joy and despair in the final and most moving film of the trilogy, ending with a uplifting, life-affirming conclusion. One can only be profoundly grateful that such cinema as this exists.
The story of Apu, heir to the Brahmin father, adored by his parents and older sister, spoilt rotten. The trilogy records his childhood in rural India followed by the ... more >
The story of Apu, heir to the Brahmin father, adored by his parents and older sister, spoilt rotten. The trilogy records his childhood in rural India followed by the move to the big city, Apu\'s university, his love, lost and regained. Sort of reminiscent of the Gorky trilogy from another culture. Beautifully characterised with an amateur cast and moments of greatness from a sometimes great director. Metaphors abound, trains for change and life moving on, the snake moving into the house as the familly depart, pigeons rising from the roof as the soul of Apu\'s father departs. Captures the changes in individual life against the background of unchanging India. Exquisite detail, watchable again and again. If your sole exposure to Indian cinema has been through Bollywood, see this these films and let them change your perceptions and your view of India. Beautiful. Music from Ravi Shankar too.
