Hare Krishna! The Mantra, the Movement and the Swami Who Started It (2017) User Reviews

Balls of Steel at the very least ...

[anxiousgayhorseonketamine · 9/10 · 17 March 2019]

Well whatever one's views of gurus and specifically here of Sri Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada ; one has to say the man had balls of steel and superhuman energy. I believe he turned up in 65 with about one dollar in his pocket in Boston and created a worldwide movement which keeps spreading so one of the best businessmen of the second half of the 20th century surely ... and then on top of that he translated huge quantities of Veda into English at a level of erudition applauded by many scholars then and now ... also was attacked by deprogramming idiots on the make who were kicked off into the tall grass by the Supreme Court ... rascals he would have said :]

So Prabhupad we take our collective hats off to you ... Haribol! and many thanx

The documentary has a lot of interesting footage from the early days with the early players and some interviewed recently .... pretty well stitched together but no masterpiece .... the story told tho is a masterpiece and then some...

knowing the struggles of swami

[manjinderbrarcbu · 8/10 · 22 December 2018]

This movie properly highlights the struggle a swamii had to go in order to start the religious society.It shows how faith in krishna can help you stand in the toughest of times of your life.

Amazing swami

[yogeshsoul · 9/10 · 31 October 2019]

Great work by the director.... Foreigners are inspired by swami and Indiana are just sitting keeping hands on hands.....

Indiana get up and do something...

Inspiring & Absolutely beautiful

[kzco-62080 · 10/10 · 13 July 2017]

This movie was Inspiring & Absolutely beautiful.It provided knowledge and insight for those who aren't familiar with Srila Prabhupada and the movement. It was extremely well composed and moving. I had tears of joy, respect, and most of all gratefulness to Srila Prabhupada throughout the whole movie. Hare Krishna!!

Stunning

[garystevason · 10/10 · 17 September 2017]

The movie was a high quality biography of a great great preacher of God. The greatest thing about him was his constant absolute love for God, which was so precious, obvious and infectious that the world was transformed and remains transformed. The movie reveals this in a heartfelt tribute endearing to anyone fortunate enough to taste the reality of God and our natural love for Him. My thanks go out to all who helped create this tribute to the man who stood up and changed the world, who made my world sublime beyond imagination.

I had asked God "I know You wrote a book two thousand years ago, but I wish You would come and tell me Yourself". A month later this saint set sail for the West bringing the Song of God with him. And a few years later as I entered a George Harrison concert one of his faithful offered me that Song of God book, The Bhagavad-Gita As It Is. Only days earlier I had decided to get the Gita. It was as though God Himself came and told me exactly everything I needed to know.

This movie does this great man justice, although I feel no one but God knows how really great he was, how great he really is.

One of the most impressive and influential documentaries ever !!

[ipmohan · 10/10 · 21 December 2017]

This is the most impressive and influential documentaries I have ever watched! It is powerful, emotional, and thought provoking. It brings to light the importance and the universal truth that every human being should try to figure out in his/her current life. Very much enjoyed watching the actual story behind Hare Krishnas. Swamiji was indeed trying to make this world a better place to live for all!

Inspiring Movie about a life dedicated to service

[shyamarupa · 10/10 · 27 September 2017]

In the turbulent and heady times of mid-sixties America, arrives a lone Holy man from India. Having suffered two major heart attacks during a grueling 35 day journey via a cargo ship, no money to his name, no institutional support, and no contacts, A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami came with a revolutionary message of finding inner peace through Bhakti, devotion to God through the chanting of the Hare Krishna Mantra, and simple living and high thinking. In this film, through his own words and those who knew him, students, well-wishers, academics, and even luminaries such as Allen Ginsberg and George Harrison, as well as archival footage and photographs, many taken by the directors themselves, the struggles and triumph of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is told. Weaving a narrative of a life dedicated to service to God and love and compassion for humanity. His is a compelling story, and the film makers did a remarkable job depicting it. This is an inspiring movie, and I feel that any and all would enjoy and benefit from seeing this.

A must watch film

[mssinghmayank · 10/10 · 21 November 2017]

A must watch movie if you want to change for the best!

An eye opener movie that reveals the inner journey of the soul.

The founder Acharya of Iskcon Srila Prabhupada did a huge favor to the world by introducing us with Hare Krishna movement.

One religion. One mantra. One god.

Loved it. Thanks. Hare Krishna!

Not too bad!

[panta-4 · 6/10 · 5 June 2021]

It gave an impression of a very well made documentary... on the surface... but when someone digs deeper, you will be surprised that this was mostly a collage of the documentaries we've seen before with few extra interviews! I enjoyed watching all the footage about the life and teaching of Srila Prabhupada, but sometimes some of the events of this spiritual teacher who came to the West to follow the order of his spiritual master, were presented in a debatable way.

One of the things you could notice is the absence of the two charismatic and important leaders of the movement: Jayapataka Swami and Hridayananda dasa Goswami. Why? I have no answer!

What Srila Prabhupada's spiritual teaching was and what is the movement doing today and the reflection on differences would make interesting viewing, but it was not there!

So, it is watchable and to a degree enjoyable melange of anything connected to Krishna... and not much more!

Debatable documentary about Srila Prabhupada.

[dasa108 · 5/10 · 21 September 2020]

This film is basically a re-editing of old documentaries that we have already seen in the past. The interesting thing about the matter is that Srila Prabhupada, the great Vaisnava saint who came to the West to follow the order of his spiritual master, was presented in a debatable way. All devotees invited to testify in the documentary have a discourse that makes them aligned with a certain position of movement. It was deeply struck that two of the most charismatic and important leaders of the movement have not even appeared (Jayapataka Swami, Hridayananda dasa Goswami). Srila Prabhupada's spiritual grandchildren are not regarded as current recipients of the responsibility of maintaining a movement that is far from what Prabhupada wanted. I can go on, but in truth, the film didn't leave me happy because it lacked to reflect on what we're doing now with what Prabhupada taught. It is an effort full of feeling but with an immense lack of realism with what we have and live.

Your Fortune

[caitanyamahaprabhu · 10/10 · 12 April 2019]

There is nothing more powerful, more beautiful. There is nothing more wonderful, more satisfying. There is nothing more real than the ocean of love of God flowing throughout the world from the presence of God's name. Reach for the top, and find your eternal self. Get real, life is wonderful beyond our imagination.

Indian Man Starts Cult

[kimbajahmon · 4/10 · 12 May 2021]

A very biased documentary about the man who started the Hari Krishna Movement. If you do not know about the history of this movement and all their shenanigans then perhaps you can watch this and enjoy the film. On the other hand if you know that this is a man that started a destructive cult that was very bad for someone evolved then you might asks yourself why watch such a biased film.

T.

Regardless of your faith, this is a fascinating documentary

[scottstanleysmith · 10/10 · 27 August 2019]

As a journalist, I have had a long relationship with the Krishna movement and give it a lot of respect, even though I have another path. I learned a lot about the founder of the movement and was impressed by how articulate everyone was, whether part of ISKCON, religion scholars, or celebrities. It shows the little-known beginnings, the challenges, and how the movement counter intuitively became embedded into America's diverse culture. I think anyone would benefit from meditation and chanting from time to time and the movement's festivals are joyous.

Best movie , must see

[branoaas · 10/10 · 26 July 2017]

Very good film. You must see. No boring film. Inspiraing movie. For Everyone. I love this movie. Prabhupada is very rare man. And this film show everyone something very good. NOt only for saints. It is for everyone and for every religion, man or woman, for all people. I don't saw better movie like this. Prabhupada and Krishna :)

Very inspirational and well made movie

[sudhirgc · 10/10 · 16 August 2017]

This is a very authentic documentary on ISKCON movement and success of Prabhupad in bringing Vaishnava philosophy to the west. The movie depicts how a pure devotee of the lord can transform lives through love and compassion. Mahatma Gandhi's achievements at social- political level are well documented and known, but the spiritual revolution which Prabhupad started in not yet fully appreciated. For Mahatma Gandhi it is said that 'Greatness of this man was his simplicity', but for Prabhupad, we can say that 'Greatness of this devotee is his purity'. The movie depicts how Krishna Consciousness movement is for anybody, who considers himself a spiritual seeker irrespective of his current material situation and conditioning. Its a must watch for anyone who wants to understand the tradition of Bhakti Yoga in the most simplest and complete form. The producers of the movie are successful in presenting a concise but moving narrative of the challenges (including health) faced by Prabhupad and how he was able to overcome all of them by his devotion towards his spiritual master and Krishna.

A moving portrait

[bhaktinstella · 10/10 · 14 June 2019]

This documentary may not satisfy all folks who come with different expectations, but it does a good job of revealing the amazing journey of one missionary of an ancient tradition to the materialistic American shores, and later around the world, and his exponential success. He was also a major theologian, which will become apparent after the West opens up to a non-western perspective in the history of religions. For seekers, you will have just discovered an authentic movement to explore, and a man of integrity to listen to, a rare thing these days. I enjoyed the film very much.

Hare Krishna World needs revolution of consciousness

[sureshsingh-30338 · 10/10 · 20 September 2017]

Jay SRI SRIMAD A.C BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABHUPADA Jai . World needs revolution of consciousness." Certainly a great film to be made about Srila Prabhupada in this material world and the spiritual movement he founded that became an international sensation starting in 1960s to eternal forever .

Hare Krishna! is playing NOW in regal theater Lansing MI My humble obeisance to greatest of all Swami Prabhupada Hare Krishna HarI Bol

Hagiography of Swami Prabhupada

[maniravi · 3/10 · 13 December 2021]

It's a nice film in its own way. There's a lot of interesting period footage that people who like the hippie era and the sixties will appreciate. Most importantly, the film will be appreciated by all followers of Hare Krishna and Swami Prabhupada. Prabhupada was undoubtedly an extremely interesting man who accomplished many extraordinary things in his late life. The film is not a biography, but rather a hagiography - an uncritical confession of Prabhupada. The film ostensibly touches on sensitive subjects to appear objective, but it doesn't really touch on the really serious issues involved in the movement, nor does it go too deeply into the philosophy and teachings of the Bengali Vaishnavas themselves. This leaves the film superficial and boring for me throughout.

Must watch movie!

[jaypathak_watcher · 10/10 · 23 December 2017]

One of the most spiritual, awakening movie I have ever seen. I am big fan of the Hollywood movies. And I don't have deep knowledge in religion. But this movie is like magic.

It's about struggle, humanity, spiritual journey, kind nature of Srila Prabhupada (A. C. Bhaktivedanta Svami). Little spoiler: If you are hearing Meditation, Yoga , Karma such words from western civilization, all credit goes to this Swami.

Well made film that overlooks the dark side

[keystonepickups · 4/10 · 19 November 2022]

There is much to admire about this fellow's sweet intentions and incredible determination to succeed in an almost unbelievably difficult mission -- and I don't doubt the sincerity of those who revered him and became involved in his endeavor. As a labor of love, the film is pretty well done -- but, the fact is that it's essentially evangelistic propaganda for the organization that was built around his very narrow, provincial, and simplistically literal interpretation of Vedanta in general and the Bhagavad Gita in particular.

That organization -- the International Society For Krishna Consciousness or "ISKCON" -- promotes a very anachronistic agenda with regard to gender roles and family life. By the 1970s, ISKCON had established many temples in cities all over North America. Back then, my first wife and myself were barely surviving in far upstate New York and were befriended by a couple in the city of Plattsburgh who were relatively well off due to the proceeds from sale of a local hotel owned by the husband's parents. They were kind to us and we were eventually invited to attend a presentation by a representative of the ISKCON temple in (relatively) nearby Montreal.

What we heard from this guy was stunning. He declared that the duty of men was to seek spiritual advancement through devotion to Krishna, who he described as (literally!) an eternally adolescent blue boy. When asked about the duty of women, he said the woman's role was to look and sound pretty for Krishna and to serve the men in her life, particularly her swami and, if married, the husband chosen for her by the swami -- a very traditional view that's still fairly prominent among rural Hindus in India and remarkably similar in some respects to what one hears from fundamentalist and evangelical Christian preachers here in the U. S.

Years later on Facebook, I encountered a woman who had escaped from such an arranged marriage and told me that ISKCON husbands were explicitly permitted beat their wives -- not sure about their children -- if they were disobedient or insufficiently observant of the ISKCON rules governing their behavior.

In Christian scripture, Jesus reportedly instructed his disciples on the identification of false prophets with the words, "you will know them by their fruit." Yours truly is no Christian, but I know wisdom when I read it -- and if ISKCON is the "fruit" of Swami Prabhupada's labors, there is abundant falseness in his teachings -- let the honest seeker beware of any sort of affiliation with that organization other than occasional enjoyment of their often wonderful temple music.

Amazing film about incredible hero

[artemrybalka · 10/10 · 19 September 2019]

Usually documentary films are boring. But this one is not. Prabhupada himself is not boring and film created as an action movie. And is also drama

never miss this documentary

[abhidandegaonkar · 10/10 · 31 October 2019]

Nothing is much real and live than this which takes us back in era of 1970. If you wish to see magic in ur life. This movie is must

Biography of Spiritual Ambassador of 20th Century & Greatest Preacher of Authorised Vedic Knowledge

[sachinbhutekar-82996 · 10/10 · 31 October 2019]

This movie is true story of ISKCON Founder Acharya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada & how at age of 70 yr he travelled from India to USA by a cargo ship with 40 Rs without knowing anyone there, suffering two heart attacks during journey, started a spiritual revolution and founded International Society for Krishna Consciousness ( ISKCON) which today has 800+ centres throughout the world. He fearlessly preached authorised Vedic Knowledge throughout the world. A must watch movie which can change your life.

For the historians to make note

[vinpashan · 10/10 · 31 October 2019]

Single Man did so much , more movies showing details will be exciting

A must watch for all kinds of people

[mvkdhk · 10/10 · 31 October 2019]

It shows what A saint is made of... Completely dedicated for mission of spiritual master... I simply aspire for his service forever