(Reviewed on the basis of watching on Video 44 years after release)
Plot: Goopy and Bagha, after being exiled from their villages encounter a gang of ghosts in a bamboo-forest. The king of the ghosts grants them 3 boons which bestow them with supernatural powers. They soon head to Shundi where news arrives of the imminent attack by the kingdom of Halla. The king of Shundi sends them to Halla for espionage to prevent this war. Will Goopy and Bagha be able to save Shundi by using their magical powers?
Review: 'Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne' written by Upendra Kishore Roychowdhury has forever been a children's favourite. So when his able grandson, the great Satyajit Ray decided to adapt this book for the big-screen; expectations were bound to surge. And it's a joy to say that they have been far exceeded!
Although the genre of children's films was not totally absent, yet in the 60's they were still hard to come by. With the filmy-scenario ruled by emotional dramas and occasional comedies, Ray's version comes as a refreshing diversion; not only in mainstream Bengali cinema but also in Ray's own body of work. Considering the Apu-trilogy was not meant for children, 'GGBB' was the first of the many children's films to roll out from Ray's stable. The fact that this film is meant to entertain the children is evident from the characters and their mannerisms. Most of the characters are often seen behaving in a childish manner; be it in their animated expression of anger, fear, and wholehearted laughter and breaking into spontaneous jigs with crazy lyrics. Plus the unprecedented special effects to go with it. All of this makes an instant connect with the little ones is undeniable. There is a distinct feel of comedy running throughout the film, seen before only in 'Parash Pathar' and 'Mahapurush'.
But it would be a huge misstatement to regard 'GGBB' only as a kiddy- flick. Just like any film of a great director, this film also communicates with its viewers in different layers. While it might not mean much more than fun entertainment for the adolescents, it conveys an anti-war message for the grey-hairs by discouraging wars among 'brothers'; a theme that shall remain as relevant till eternity.
The film begins with a light-hearted tone and it doesn't budge from it for an instant. But as the film progresses and the actual devilry of the minister and his magician become gradually apparent, the gravity of the story gets well understood. Yet, all this is conveyed sub-consciously without once breaking the ambiance of fun; which is where Ray's mastery stands well distinguished.
Tapen Chatterjee as the bumpkin Goopy with a childish smile and expressions is a great discovery. Robi Ghosh after 'Galpo Holeo Sotti' gets another lead role as the ambitious, commanding and shrewd Bagha; and he does full justice to it. Although, a better wig could have been expected. Jahar Roy is suitably cast as a comic villain in the role of the bandit-turned-cunning minister. Harindranath Chatterjee as the evil- magician Barfi who speaks in an alien tongue and resides in a curiously designed den, is a revelation. His total get-up, movements, phonetically hilarious dialogue-delivery and occasional expressions of the man who knows it all, are marvelous. But the show-stealer is undoubtedly Santosh Dutta in a virtual triple role. While the kind-hearted king of Shundi is a cake-walk for him, he shows his class as the dual-sided king of Halla. He is flawless as the innocence-personified twin brother (with a lovable voice) who turns into the executioner-loving tyrant upon being drugged. The contrast in body-language and dialogue-delivery is simply brilliant. A special mention has to be made of the character of the 'smiling assassin' wickedly flaunting all his teeth all the time. Kudos to Ray for creating this character which appears in just two scenes, doesn't utter a single word yet leaves a deep impression. It's due to him, Jahar and Santosh that the whole sequence involving the foreign delegates becomes my favourite from the film.
But the character which over the years has become synonymous with Goopy & Bagha, is the iconic 'Bhooter Raja'. Immortally voiced by Ray himself, the king creates a lasting impression not only with his incredible appearance but also with his largesse. This, one of the earliest appearances of a ghost in Bengali cinema certainly played a big role in altering people's perception towards the super-natural.
A truly-gifted never ceases to amaze with his/her bounty of talents. Such is the case with Ray. After spellbinding the world with his film- making and writing skills, he decides to bowl us over with his music and lyrical talents. Barring 'Jalshaghar' before this, hardly any other Ray- flick featured separately composed songs. Wonder why; when he could create songs like these! He garnishes the film with eight masterpieces, different in taste and feel. The lyrics are thought-provoking or insane but always simple. 'O Mantrimashai' is my personal favourite. Unearthing Anup Ghosal as Goopy's voice deserves credit; so does the odd choice of actor Kanu Mukherjee for the song 'Halla choleche juddhe'.
Yet, the script has some minor loopholes. When Bagha plays his drum to please the kids, they don't become 'spellbound' in the literal sense. When the sentries capture Goopy and Bagha, Goopy could have easily started singing and escape; unless he was gagged which then should have been shown. The first message received by the king of Shundi was in some pictorial language, while later he received another one in pure Bengali; both from Halla! The ability of Goopy and Bagha to order the sweets to drop from the skies is also debatable; but can be pardoned considering the cinematic effect it creates.
Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne shall forever remain a distinguished film in Ray's filmography; for the fact that it is his only all-out mainstream entertainer. But more importantly, it's a classic children's fare that shall enthrall generations to come.
Plot: Goopy and Bagha, after being exiled from their villages encounter a gang of ghosts in a bamboo-forest. The king of the ghosts grants them 3 boons which bestow them with supernatural powers. They soon head to Shundi where news arrives of the imminent attack by the kingdom of Halla. The king of Shundi sends them to Halla for espionage to prevent this war. Will Goopy and Bagha be able to save Shundi by using their magical powers?
Review: 'Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne' written by Upendra Kishore Roychowdhury has forever been a children's favourite. So when his able grandson, the great Satyajit Ray decided to adapt this book for the big-screen; expectations were bound to surge. And it's a joy to say that they have been far exceeded!
Although the genre of children's films was not totally absent, yet in the 60's they were still hard to come by. With the filmy-scenario ruled by emotional dramas and occasional comedies, Ray's version comes as a refreshing diversion; not only in mainstream Bengali cinema but also in Ray's own body of work. Considering the Apu-trilogy was not meant for children, 'GGBB' was the first of the many children's films to roll out from Ray's stable. The fact that this film is meant to entertain the children is evident from the characters and their mannerisms. Most of the characters are often seen behaving in a childish manner; be it in their animated expression of anger, fear, and wholehearted laughter and breaking into spontaneous jigs with crazy lyrics. Plus the unprecedented special effects to go with it. All of this makes an instant connect with the little ones is undeniable. There is a distinct feel of comedy running throughout the film, seen before only in 'Parash Pathar' and 'Mahapurush'.
But it would be a huge misstatement to regard 'GGBB' only as a kiddy- flick. Just like any film of a great director, this film also communicates with its viewers in different layers. While it might not mean much more than fun entertainment for the adolescents, it conveys an anti-war message for the grey-hairs by discouraging wars among 'brothers'; a theme that shall remain as relevant till eternity.
The film begins with a light-hearted tone and it doesn't budge from it for an instant. But as the film progresses and the actual devilry of the minister and his magician become gradually apparent, the gravity of the story gets well understood. Yet, all this is conveyed sub-consciously without once breaking the ambiance of fun; which is where Ray's mastery stands well distinguished.
Tapen Chatterjee as the bumpkin Goopy with a childish smile and expressions is a great discovery. Robi Ghosh after 'Galpo Holeo Sotti' gets another lead role as the ambitious, commanding and shrewd Bagha; and he does full justice to it. Although, a better wig could have been expected. Jahar Roy is suitably cast as a comic villain in the role of the bandit-turned-cunning minister. Harindranath Chatterjee as the evil- magician Barfi who speaks in an alien tongue and resides in a curiously designed den, is a revelation. His total get-up, movements, phonetically hilarious dialogue-delivery and occasional expressions of the man who knows it all, are marvelous. But the show-stealer is undoubtedly Santosh Dutta in a virtual triple role. While the kind-hearted king of Shundi is a cake-walk for him, he shows his class as the dual-sided king of Halla. He is flawless as the innocence-personified twin brother (with a lovable voice) who turns into the executioner-loving tyrant upon being drugged. The contrast in body-language and dialogue-delivery is simply brilliant. A special mention has to be made of the character of the 'smiling assassin' wickedly flaunting all his teeth all the time. Kudos to Ray for creating this character which appears in just two scenes, doesn't utter a single word yet leaves a deep impression. It's due to him, Jahar and Santosh that the whole sequence involving the foreign delegates becomes my favourite from the film.
But the character which over the years has become synonymous with Goopy & Bagha, is the iconic 'Bhooter Raja'. Immortally voiced by Ray himself, the king creates a lasting impression not only with his incredible appearance but also with his largesse. This, one of the earliest appearances of a ghost in Bengali cinema certainly played a big role in altering people's perception towards the super-natural.
A truly-gifted never ceases to amaze with his/her bounty of talents. Such is the case with Ray. After spellbinding the world with his film- making and writing skills, he decides to bowl us over with his music and lyrical talents. Barring 'Jalshaghar' before this, hardly any other Ray- flick featured separately composed songs. Wonder why; when he could create songs like these! He garnishes the film with eight masterpieces, different in taste and feel. The lyrics are thought-provoking or insane but always simple. 'O Mantrimashai' is my personal favourite. Unearthing Anup Ghosal as Goopy's voice deserves credit; so does the odd choice of actor Kanu Mukherjee for the song 'Halla choleche juddhe'.
Yet, the script has some minor loopholes. When Bagha plays his drum to please the kids, they don't become 'spellbound' in the literal sense. When the sentries capture Goopy and Bagha, Goopy could have easily started singing and escape; unless he was gagged which then should have been shown. The first message received by the king of Shundi was in some pictorial language, while later he received another one in pure Bengali; both from Halla! The ability of Goopy and Bagha to order the sweets to drop from the skies is also debatable; but can be pardoned considering the cinematic effect it creates.
Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne shall forever remain a distinguished film in Ray's filmography; for the fact that it is his only all-out mainstream entertainer. But more importantly, it's a classic children's fare that shall enthrall generations to come.