Pather Panchali

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Pather Panchali

1955

2h 6m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

82 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Impoverished priest Harihar Ray, dreaming of a better life for himself and his family, leaves his rural Bengal village in search of work. Alone, his wife, Sarbojaya, looks after her rebellious daughter, Durga, and her young son, Apu, as well as Harihar's elderly aunt Indir. The children enjoy the small pleasures of their difficult life, while their parents suffer the daily indignities heaped upon them.

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Critics Consensus

A film that requires and rewards patience in equal measure, Pather Panchali finds director Satyajit Ray delivering a classic with his debut.

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Frank Morriss

Globe and Mail

Everything about Pather Panchali... points to the beautiful life of the human spirit.

Aug 8, 2022

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Jonas Mekas

Village Voice

It is most simple, most down to earth, and from the very heart. Specifically it is about India, but actually it is about everybody. The poetry of the film transcends its locality and speaks to us all.

Apr 20, 2022

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Shubhra Gupta

The Indian Express

Satyajit Ray put India on the world map with this felt portrait of life in a Bengal village...

Aug 16, 2021

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James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

simple, but not a simplistic, and it is hardly a romanticized paean to childhood, although there are moments of great beauty that remind us how wonderful the world can be when it is stripped of the weight of social responsibility

Rated: 4/4

Mar 27, 2024

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Moira Walsh

The Catholic World

The film proves to be, rather like The Old Man and the Sea, an artfully devised tribute to the human spirit. The black-and-white camera work is both a joy in itself and a sensitive instrument in carrying out the director’s purposes.

Aug 24, 2023

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Shadow Stage

Photoplay

It's a truly amazing accomplishment which Hollywood and its mass- production thinking could well ponder on.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 13, 2022

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Stephen C

Success in 2 hours and 6 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In Bangla and English versions with English subtitles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

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Rohit D

I don't think I have cried as much as I have while watching this movie. A masterpiece, and absolute cinema.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/09/25

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Velarudh Infotech P

"Pather Panchali," the book by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay, changed my life and my perspective on Bengali village life. Being born and brought up in a Bengali village, I can relate to everything. I had not seen this movie until I was in college (Med school). After that, I have watched this movie many times. Each and every scene is epic. The music by Ravi Shankar adds a profound depth to the film, making it even more immersive. Satyajit Ray's direction is truly masterful; he is indeed an incredible filmmaker.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/07/24

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John W

The rare perfect movie, even if is obviously made on a shoestring. Some of the most beautiful and touching sequences in any film, with every character unforgettable.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/01/24

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Dani G

A realistic and moving portrait of rural life in India.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/17/23

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Audience Member

Satyajit Ray's directorial debut depicts harshening traditions of ancestral livelihood factored amid poverty whilst providing slice of life via mesmerizing cultural transportation with beautiful cinematography backed up by unconventionally associated music being strictly domestic, filled by raw performances to humanely characterized the results. One of those strong debuts in the storytelling approach expressed by solid merits under cultural significance, but it unknowingly disconnects between the pacing and unflinching harshness with decreasing hopeful sense. However, it deserves to be given a fair rating over its productive merits and efforts emotionally connected to their home cultural like a cinematic representation. (B+)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Satyajit Ray

Director

Kanu Bannerjee

Harihar Ray

Karuna Bannerjee

Sarbojaya Ray

Subir Bannerjee

Apurba 'Apu' Roy

Runki Banerjee

Durga Roy

Uma Das Gupta

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Synopsis

Impoverished priest Harihar Ray, dreaming of a better life for himself and his family, leaves his rural Bengal village in search of work. Alone, his wife, Sarbojaya, looks after her rebellious daughter, Durga, and her young son, Apu, as well as Harihar's elderly aunt Indir. The children enjoy the small pleasures of their difficult life, while their parents suffer the daily indignities heaped upon them.

Director: Satyajit Ray
Producer: Satyajit Ray, Bansi Chandragupta
Screenwriter: Satyajit Ray
Production Co: Government of West Bengal
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Bangla
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 20, 2015
Runtime: 2h 6m

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