Sir Ben Kingsley reads a letter written by Gandhi to Hitler

[@liamrearden3805]

I spoke with Sir Ben Kingsley very briefly and a long time ago, that brief discussion has always been in my mind. He is a true gentleman, and a man worthy of respect. It is rare to see a man of honour, but this man is truly one.

[@nathanieltraynor6413]

What did you guys talk about?

[@coreycox2345]

@@nathanieltraynor6413 That's not funny. "I won't tell you what we talked is an amateur mistake that could make a girl look like a clown in the eyes of the world. I think it's in the AICP Code of Ethics for Ladies and Gentlemen to keep one another from such situation is we have integrety and style. There will always be mistakes. I can't think of my dad ever making any that I suspected? Gon't be a "WLB" on it? Maybe don't do something like that again? Sometimes the truth can just make one barf. Hindsight is 2000/20. At least you "didn't go in the bedroom?" Some guys fail to take everything into account, though. Smart? Stupid? Possibly fatal. A harmless lark. Everyone will have a different opinion on these kind of things. With great power...? If they can't find something on you, they are already making things up. I wanted to support you, but thought you seemed like a twit in your personal life. Perhaps my microagressions were bad.?

[@nathanieltraynor3326]

@@coreycox2345 what… what are you on about?? I just wanted to know what they spoke about, no harm in it.

[@rogue109]

I think you are confusing the words of a great man...read by an actor.

[@liamrearden3805]

@@rogue109 No, when I spoke to him it was nothing to do with acting or his work.

[@samsmith2635]

"Would you listen to the appeal of one who deliberately shunned the method of war, not without considerable success" feels directly into the heart.

[@LetterSignedBy51SpiesWasA-Coup]

Gandhi tooting his own horn

[@VivekAnandJ]

Though I'm a HUGE admirer of Gandhi, that does sound a bit of a humble brag! Somehow heard that in the voice of Key from the ERB Gandhi Vs MLK. Damn i need to go watch that again now...

[@samsmith2635]

@@VivekAnandJ Yes, it's a brag however, it is a noble brag because it is a unique thing. I think that is why Gandhi made that sacrifice to his ego to shine light on its uniqueness, Showing another path to Herr Hitler.

[@jasonallen9144]

It’s not a “ humble brag” he’s just saying there are differences in their approach to things so he may not be interested in his opinion on war. He said it in a very considered and charming way. He wasn’t really Hitlers friend either.

[@Heretic-007]

​​​@@samsmith2635h please, Gandhi was an extreme enabler of violence. He spearheaded the failed revival of Ottoman Caliphate after it committed genocide and genocidal rape of Armenian Christians and directly Inspired Hitler. He has a documented history of extreme racism and sexism. He also forced his unloved and abused wife to die over a curable disease via his fanatic Superstitions

[@DR-nh6oo]

Is no one going to discuss the letter? I think the whole point of Kingsley’s reading was to trigger deep thoughts about our relationships with each other, rather than to get more admiration for his acting skills?

[@PvtEd]

I thought the same thing..

[@mickyvionsellinas6743]

Ghandi hated the British Empire so much he supported Hitle AND Nazism.... it's all documented btw ...just saying

[@ovainshtok]

He didn’t read his second letter where Gandhi wished Hitler the victory over England. It is the truth about this “kind man”

[@wiwlarue4097]

I wonder why this tribesman doesn't read the other letter in which Ghandi says he doesn't believe a word of the lies the western media spreads about Hittler.

[@mickyvionsellinas6743]

@@ovainshtok Lest we forget , he was sectarian and 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend ' politician ...not so peaceful after all !

[@eternalfizzer]

So simple in his request, so optimistic in intent, as futile as this effort was, it needed to be attempted. And it leaves a map for how to present your philosophy without judgment. What a powerful soul. I wish I could have met him, but at least we have Mr. Kingsley's homage.

[@leonardzane]

Bravo, eternalfizzer! As more and more of us are compassionate, peaceful and loving, the more non-violent conflict resolution is destined to prevail. Mahatma Gandhi's luminous example and message are essential for all sentient beings to live well.

[@giorgiosaraceno4391]

Your analysis made me better the meaning of this letter. I am none to say anything but I believe you are a very good Ghandi student

[@jonathanwilson672]

@@leonardzane ...also have the intelligence to see what will become of you, your country and your way of life and then have the intestinal fortitude to raise up arms to fight that madman and his followers...thank God men during that period outnumbered cowards!

[@dewilew2137]

He was a virulent racist himself. Birds of a feather, or whatever it is the kids say nowadays.

[@roozbehbadii7518]

you think Putin will stop after his takes Ukraine? I hope so...I hope he stops after he takes Ukraine. But psychopaths dont stop unless they are stopped internally or externally or they just die. I hope one of those 3 happens when this Ukraine business is finished.

[@Kariakas]

Kingsley playing Gandhi is one of the epic moments of movie history. Nice to see these extra tributes.

[@scottadler]

The movie grossly underplayed Ghandi's disgusting anti-Semitism.

[@nishant19961]

Gandhi*

[@Kariakas]

@@nishant19961 Thanks, I'll fix that.

[@scottadler]

@@nishant19961 Sorry about that. I saw that spelling in the original answer and accidentally internalized it. But my comment stands. However you spell his name, only a moron or a racist would suggest that millions of people commit suicide along with their children.

[@twomindz79]

Wouldn't happen anymore because he's not indian .

[@donna25871]

And Ben reads it in the voice he used when playing Gandhi.

[@Z4Zander]

"Isn't it ironic."

[@tedcrilly46]

well enjoy it. 1 year from now he'll probably have to apologise on oprah for doing an accent.

[@Z4Zander]

@@tedcrilly46 Is she still alive?Or relevant?

[@dylankelly1715]

@@tedcrilly46 Ben Kingsley is half Indian! He was born Krishna Pandit Bhanji to a white English mother and a Gujarati father. Pretty cool, right?!

[@cspace1234nz]

@@tedcrilly46 haha yeah, exactly, he'll be canceled for being racist. I've spent a great deal of time in India and have a southern Indian accent down pat which I have told many stories in for many years, to Indians and westerners alike. Now I am all of a sudden racist for doing so, but never from an Indian person, mostly white millennial women....Lol !

[@lawrence18uk]

"I must not calculate... I must appeal". The letter is remarkable for its brevity; it does not contain a list of do's or don'ts. it does not seek to correct anybody.

[@nura1627]

Yes! That little phrase conveys so much wisdom.

[@Uduwerage]

Krishna Pandit Bhanji, otherwise known as Sir Ben Kingsley, is an amazing actor who helps us challenge our own thinking.

[@stonegrit]

Ha ha bloody ha ha. He is an actor & that's all he is. Gandi gave his life to his country. And all who are writing all of these comments tell me what have you done in your little life's

[@squamish4244]

@@stonegrit Many of us would not know who Gandhi is or appreciate what he did nearly as much without Kingsley's portrayal of him in the movie.

[@stonegrit]

@@squamish4244 if you wake up you realise that the film industry makes films to make money out of you & actors are you god's

[@Uduwerage]

@@stonegrit Well, most people here seem to have learnt how to write and spell.

[@stonegrit]

@@Uduwerage maybe I can't spell but I just had look at your profile photo boy o boy you are definitely a geek. Tell me what's most exciting thing you done in you life 😂

[@pseudoeconomist1]

During my growing up years, the film 'Gandhi' in which Sir Ben played the protagonist used to be shown on our national television, 'Doordarshan' once a year on our independence day in afternoon hours. And was used to seen nearly by each & everyone. As Indians, we do have astonishing impact of Gandhian philosophy. Sir Ben cemented it by stunningly portraying the persona on silver screen so much so that while remembering Gandhiji, the actor in the role comes in mind.

[@oneworldfamily]

Beautifully written, friend. As an 8 year-old English boy from Cambridge, 'Gandhi' was the first film I saw at the cinema. My mother took me to see it. You will remember the opening scene (I will never forget it) and, from that moment, a compassion and love for India's soul was awakened in me that has ever grown throughout the years. When I was 19 I became a disciple of Indian spiritual master Sri Chinmoy and will remain profoundly grateful to India's spirituality until I breathe my last.

[@TheHinduWing]

I beg to differ, Sir. His personal characteristics do not shed his political and social incompetence and utter impotence in a sociological and anthropological role that he is supposed to have played well. Frankly, Most of the modern-day folks from Bharata know and understand this bitter reality. I don't have even an iota of respect for Gandhi, and the most well-read and informed share this. I urge every responsible person to go n figure out for themselves, dissenting this persona of peace-loving and quasi- prophetic figure that is attributed to Gandhi.

[@theman7522]

stop killing muslims

[@MalachiTheBowlingGod]

You misspelled 'antagonist' :)

[@shireengadiali7424]

This is a typical Gandhiji sentiment. Humble to the last. But he has got the message through.....to us. Not sure if it touched even an iota that murderous evil dictator.

[@michaelreidperry3256]

Halfway through my watching of the movie “Gandhi” soon upon its release, the certainty of Sir Ben’s Oscar win hit me. Actors and performances of this caliber are rare.

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

I haven't seen it since its first release, but I recall what looked like a genuine old black and white newsreel suddenly changed to colour. It was amazing to realise that it was Ben Kingsley (as was) and not Gandhi himself.

[@michaelreidperry3256]

@@zacmumblethunder7466 Indeed. Some actors come to work and disappear in their roles. It’s marvelously frightening.

[@stonegrit]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYOZhpiMpdmtiMk

[@miket2120]

The more I watch and listen to this reading, the quicker my eyes begin to tear up. Such a powerful letter, so simple, yet so eloquent.

[@babelfrog]

Such humility.... And so much eloquently. This brings me to tears.

[@quanaramirasherman]

OMG, Gandalf and Gandhi on the same stage! This letter is amazing, extending a letter in friendship, requesting forgiveness of Hitler. Great demonstration of peace! 🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️

[@jjones797]

He came with no aggression and even submitted to Hitler as a sign of respect and let him know that he, and only he has the power to stop war. Very smart.

[@davidschalit907]

He was a fool!

[@nura1627]

@@davidschalit907 Who, Hitler? Well, yea.

[@davidschalit907]

@@nura1627 No, Hitler was evil. Gandhi was a fool.

[@keeganthambiran1375]

Brilliant observation lol😎😎😎

[@TimmsMJ]

Two of the greatest actors EVER. These are wonderful men, masters of their craft yet humble and honest in their lives. As Shakespeare said, 'To thine own self be true'.

[@thebluntrappa]

i didn't know Gandhi and Hitler were actors......

[@JesusLives889]

Actually Shakespeare plagiarized the Bible for this quote.

[@brucekilby9957]

I would like him to read a letter spoken in the voice of Stern from Shindlers List. A great actor. His Doctor in Shutter Island was very creepy.

[@Aspectus]

Ben and Ian are fantastic!

[@Coni2009]

@@JesusLives889 I don’t believe that is the case. Where in the Bible do you believe the quote originally came from?

[@Fuzcapp]

Displays precisely how large a leadership vacuum exists in the world today.

[@davidwuhrer6704]

Where is King George VI when you need him.

[@no-bozos]

Long live Ghandi Gi. Such a brilliant mind. Such a big heart. Such a great soul. Thank you for the time you spent with us. Thank you for the gift you gave to us.

[@harryplummer6356]

What no one is mentioning that Ghandi praised Hitler after the war began and called the UK and France 'worn out' and Germany was a revitalizing force.

[@thewkovacs316]

"my dear friend"? gahndi was a right bastard

[@lesleynicholls5677]

@@harryplummer6356 Ghandi is seen as a racist by many.

[@jpd4676]

Gandhi and Adolf Hitler will share hell together. Both did not believe that Jesus Christ was the way the truth and the life and the only One for Salvation.

[@vinniemoran7362]

@@harryplummer6356 Sounds like Western propaganda from that time. After all, Gandhi was advocating independence from England, which didn't sit well with that key ally in the war against Hitler. Gandhi saw firsthand the brutal and racist repression by the British Empire on the Indian people. He had no illusions about any of the Western nations at that time. There was England fighting for the freedom of Europe while quashing the freedoms demanded by India. Ask any Indian. They'll tell you that the "British sense of fair play" is a myth.

[@karenburrows9184]

I am deeply moved. His recital was a great tribute to who Ghandi was. The added bonus was seeing Sir Ian waiting to perform his recital.

[@fatima-jc9kw]

Gandhi, the man who addressess Hitler, as his friend

[@SewerTapes]

The world would be a better place if more people took Gandhi's advice.

[@ludwigwittgenstein2422]

Bullshit if more people were like ghandi the world would be ruled by dictators

[@SewerTapes]

@@ludwigwittgenstein2422 That's not what I said, my friend.

[@LordOfLight]

No doubt, but they don't, do they. And that's the point. Urging people to do the right thing rarely has any effect because people don't want to listen.

[@snap-n-shoot]

Really? Ghandi was a known racist and child molester. He used to request very young girls and boys to sleep with him naked...even his niece. In South Africa he was publicly racist. He hated the black and demanded Indians have a higher status as them. “Ours is one continual struggle against a degradation sought to be inflicted upon us by the Europeans, who desire to degrade us to the level of the raw Kaffir whose occupation is hunting, and whose sole ambition is to collect a certain number of cattle to buy a wife with and, then, pass his life in indolence and nakedness.” and “Kaffirs [derogetory term historically used to describe Black people in South Africa] are as a rule uncivilised - the convicts even more so. They are troublesome, very dirty and live almost like animals.” He was once chucked out of a first Class carriage that was reserved for white people and was annoyed about it. its wasnt that he wanted to sit with white people it was because he didnt want to have to sit with black people in the economy section. He was publicly friendly with Hitler and Mussolini. So many people blinkered by the deliberately dripped good stories, just like religion. Same with Mother Theresa who was a nasty tyrant but has saint status. Mandela was actually jailed for being in possession of a bag of explosives he was about to use but he is still called a good guy....

[@ludwigwittgenstein2422]

@@SewerTapes it's not what you said but you're implying that's the correct course. Freedom has always been won not given.

[@davidstevens3934]

What a film that was. One of my favourite movie scenes of all time was Gandhi and the reporter, Walker (Martin Sheen), talking by the sea. Apparently they enjoyed it as well. One of the greatest actors ever had a small part in the film too: Daniel Day Lewis is a young South African thug.

[@PercivalBlakeney]

@David Stevens If not for Martin Sheen's role, I doubt I would ever have heard the phrase "moral ascendancy". Deep joy. 😌

[@davidwuhrer6704]

A South African Thug? Well, I suppose Kali has worshippers everywhere, and why wouldn't Thugs emigrate from east India to South Africa.

[@amalendutiwari414]

Wow!

[@petergreen5337]

Thank you very much publisher for this history lesson.

[@wesleygovender6579]

" I have nothing new to teach the world .Truth and non-violence are as old as the hills" M k Gandhi

[@Heretic-007]

Gandhi was quite violent.

[@Heretic-007]

Delusion and Submissivism isn't Truth and Non Violence. Jews should walk themsleves into Nazi Gas Chambers and commit mass suicide instead of fighting back. - MK Gandhi. I wonder if Ben Kingsley would read that.

[@Taleton]

Jesus also …

[@wrayjordan7188]

Well done Sir Kingsley. Respect.

[@mariannegeraud6318]

Two greats coming together A great actor and a great thinker!

[@CaBona]

And there's Gandhi also

[@jimbocho660]

@@CaBona A great hypocrite.

[@harryplummer6356]

@@jimbocho660 Well said Jim.

[@jpd4676]

Gandhi and Adolf Hitler will share hell together. Both did not believe that Jesus Christ was the way the truth and the life and the only One for Salvation.

[@mariannegeraud6318]

@@jpd4676 where did you come out from...the dark ages??? If hell does exist, I am pretty sure it's reserved for well just to name a few.... murderers, pédophiles, rapists generally bad people ! As I understand it Jesus Christ was a pretty tolerant and understanding man...I strongly believe he wouldn't send anyone to burn in hell just because they didn't believe in him!!

[@sophierobinson2738]

Ben Kingsley, master of disguise. I’ve never recognized him in any movie I didn’t know he was in.

[@xenophonica780]

Absolutely true. For example, many people forget that he actually played Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack in James Cameron's 1997 masterpiece Titanic AND Kate Winslet as Rose in the same film. Pure genius.

[@carlzend8091]

When I am lost for direction or questions about ethics bother me, or the current loss of freedom in my India pains me, Gandhiji’s writings are a go-to place for guidance and inspiration. An extraordinary man walked this earth.

[@ramakumarnambiar7010]

But a blot on the "greatness" of Gandhi was his appeasement of muslims in Kerala, India when in the "Moplah Genocide", thousands of hindus were horrifically butchered by muslims but he told the Hindus that perhaps it was their fault.

[@ramakumarnambiar7010]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ-Tg2CrrMaYbZo

[@carlzend8091]

To Rama’s point: With deep sympathy dear Rama, in an approach to unite India is this not a typical example of the anti-violence stance of Gandhiji. Were there not Hindu atrocities on Muslims at that time ? He was never sympathetic to either side’s violence against the other. He never ‘judged’ on violent events in favor of whoever was the first victim. No judgment. Violence was violence and people must stop it. He writes extensively about the causes of violence but never accepts violence as an answer. Any judgment we try to make on history, say beyond 50 years from whatever the present time is, should be avoided. The event needs to be accepted for what it is. Sure we could investigate it to find out greater truth. But not to judge or arouse passions or change history. If we do that we will be re-fighting wars over and over again. “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” Put this Ayodhya incident in mind. History is history good or bad. If we carry emotional baggage with it we will never be able to live in love and harmony and progress as we did in our first 67 years after independence.

[@skinnie2838]

What. Why. Jesus Christ is the one who saves. Not Gandhi.

[@davidwuhrer6704]

@@skinnie2838 Jesus is a save scammer? Well, that explains it.

[@U80731323]

Wise words of a wise man!

[@LeventeZone]

The tragic aspect is just how perfectly applicable and relevant this is even now, in Europe, with certain autocratic headcases at the helm. One in particular.

[@dvforever]

Totally different situation. Stop listening to Western media propaganda and seek out a bigger perspective.

[@LeventeZone]

@@dvforever done, long time ago. And ironically, you are thinking of someone on the completely different side of the map compared to whom I was thinking about. This shows your automatic bias, so thanks for proving the point. But hey, let's amuse ourselves: presumably, you are thinking of Putin. Fine. In which case, I would like to signal the tiny amusing fact that I grew up under the Soviet regime. Ironically, the narrative about 'Western propaganda' is very familiar, and hilarious when in 2022 somebody overruns another country with tanks. Whoever it is, whatever the reason, it is impossible to defend in 2022. So yep, sure, Western propaganda... gosh, since Stalin it is just terryfying how everything is false Western propaganda :)

[@davidwuhrer6704]

Alexander Lukashenko, Europe's last dictator.

[@dvforever]

@@LeventeZone America good! Everyone who doesn't side with America is bad. Isn't that what we've heard for 70+ years while America drops bombs on people all over the world? America can't have Ukraine. America already has too many nations under its grip.

[@LeventeZone]

@@dvforever Again, as I said at the start, I was referring to something very very different. So this is pointless as your comments are 1. locked onto an entirely different person & topic, 2. propaganda was done in both sides in very false ways, so instead of current hysterical slogans we just need to consult history. So again, pointless rhetoric,

[@christiangibbs8534]

Dear Friend... What an amazing person. So humble and yet so powerful.

[@davidwuhrer6704]

They were not just friends, they were allies against the British Empire, and both were fighting for the Aryan race in their own way.

[@luisg.5700]

@@davidwuhrer6704 exactly

[@adavis5926]

Only Kingsley could play both Gandhi and Eichmann.

[@vrushabhbhaskar1348]

And Stern

[@adavis5926]

@@vrushabhbhaskar1348, that's right. Of those three roles, Stern is my favorite.

[@emilgilels]

@@adavis5926 And the villain in Sexy Beast (Don Logan).

[@kevinbush4300]

An important letter… though probably ignored by the recipient. Hard to imagine what world leader might have had such moral authority to have written something similar to Vladimir Putin in the last year.

[@caranorn]

Considering Hitler's contacts with Indian nationalist like Chandra Bose I expect Hitler would indeed have read that letter.

[@MrDirtclodfight]

Putin is no Hitler

[@kkh2t]

The British confiscated the letter in transit and did not allow it to reach Hitler.

[@karenryder6317]

I suspect most world leaders realize what Gahndi did, that their words would no doubt be wasted.

[@kevinbush4300]

@@karenryder6317 yeah, perhaps. Gandhi was a bit special, wasn't he?! He would always look for the best in people, probably because he had so much good in himself. The point I was making was more to do with the fact that as the world witnesses megalomania once again, is there any leader/politician/figurehead/rock or pop star even, who might have the moral stature to consider writing a letter such as that?

[@markorollo.]

"Made one great film and then you never saw him again" - Trigger

[@abominusrex3205]

sexy beast, schindler's list, species, shutter island...

[@egosumhomovespertilionem]

One of history's weirder, and more unexpected footnotes.

[@burningchrome8622]

no kidding time to cancel gandhi

[@eyearchangeloamitabhasuper6616]

@@burningchrome8622 He's already dead, you clown.

[@burningchrome8622]

@JZ's BFF i think thats what the kids these days call "problematic "

[@grahamwinston3692]

@JZ's BFF many Britons loved him and wanted him to win, especially Edward VIII. Hitler planned to install him as head of Fascist Britain

[@danielc1978]

@@burningchrome8622 2 for 2! 😂

[@pschroeter1]

I've always want to meet Kingsley and tell him, that while of course admire him as an actor, I also conciser him the closest I'll ever get to meeting the actual Gandhi in this life, a man I have grew up admiring greatly.

[@Gar96229]

A work colleague of mine met him in Hamley’s on Regent Street in London, and said he was an extremely friendly and polite man.

[@snap-n-shoot]

Ghandi was a nasty person....best to read the correct version rather than just take your opinion from a movie....

[@keebs1152]

@@snap-n-shoot Gandhi was one of the greatest human beings ever to walk on planet Earth, in all recorded human history. You may be forgiven for not knowing this - many do not. But to call him, conversely, a nasty person, speaks only to the profound stupidity that must be your misfortune, and that of so many little minds today.

[@pschroeter1]

@@snap-n-shoot I don't know who this Ghandi guy is, but Gandhi liberated India from colonial rule mostly with nonviolence, so there is a lot to admire. I read a few books about him and his nastiness never came up. He was a lawyer, so I'm sure not everyone liked him.

[@jpd4676]

Gandhi and Adolf Hitler will share hell together. Both did not believe that Jesus Christ was the way the truth and the life and the only One for Salvation.

[@SaleemRanaAuthor]

Gandhi's letter is a classic example of throwing pearls before swine. He must have spent hours, perhaps days, carefully selecting each tactful word. History shows that Gandhi's simple, elegant solution to end suffering for millions, were completely lost on the recipient. The words of a saint, steeped in the ancient wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, were squandered on one of the worst human beings of the 20th century.

[@karenryder6317]

Absolutely wasted. It's clear Ghandi himself expected this too by the way he frames his approach. I guess he just felt in the end that he had to go on record as at least offering an appeal. He wanted to stand for the right side of history.

[@SaleemRanaAuthor]

@@karenryder6317 That's what I thought, too. He probably thought that he should at least try.

[@moksha6202]

What's sad is todays India has turned its back on his teachings and the Man running the nation is groomed by RSS who SHOT and Killed him! It's truly Kaliyuga!

[@jacksbackable]

And now Putin says, hold my beer!🍺 Let’s await China’s debauchery of War.....!?

[@manuelaguirre1062]

He wrote the wrong person. The banking elite planned both wars. Before u scoff at this educate urself to real history. Read " The creature from Jekyll Island" by Griffin. Or look up " The money masters " by William (Bill) Still here on yt.

[@AshutoshPathak_in]

A letter that only Gandhi Ji could have written. It tells all about him. All his greatness came from his simple clarity.

[@rosiemackenzie5976]

Gandhi was great because he stood for what was right.

[@lowros7786]

Gandhi, Stern, Logan - 3 of my faves. Completely different characters- same bloke. Amazing.

[@ÁzsiábaSzakadtam]

Gandhi: "If you ask, you will be given." Hitler: "Hold my beer."

[@hermitthefrog8951]

Powerful 3 sentences that, if heeded, would have dramatically changed (and most likely improved) the latter half of the 20th century. May Ghandi's appeal for nonviolence not go unheeded today. Wow

[@davidwuhrer6704]

If heeded, India may still be a British colony today. Or not, who knows.

[@Irishmuffcabbagyurt]

Ben Kingsley would have captivated audiences with the lines JT Dolan had written for him in the blockbuster hit Cleaver.

[@GTLees]

Fuggedaboutit!

[@AlyssMa7rin]

Too bad about Christopher, whatever happened there...

[@apatheticallyconcerned6574]

If Ghandi lived today, he'd be cancelled for speaking to Hitler with humility and respect and his Twitter account would be locked.

[@nonameronin1]

And when Obama said back in '08 that he would be willing to meet with authoritarian and "enemy" leaders as president the American right flipped it's fucking shit so what's your point?

[@maxondiaz5770]

You know when world war 2 started millions of Indians were deployed in Africa several tons of food was supplied . British bombed several bridges were directly responsible for famine in Bengal for 2 time because of that more than 2 million people died . How these Brits were not Nazis .?

[@snowflakemelter1172]

And for being a blatant racist.

[@waski672]

And 40 days later her hitler invaded Poland. 18 days later the Soviet Union also invaded Poland.

[@Insaniya.humanity]

Yet Stalin and communism were viewed as liberators.

[@waski672]

@@Insaniya.humanity not by the poles.

[@waski672]

@Will Wilde No Nazi Germany invaded on 1 sept 1939 the Soviet Union Red Army invaded on 17 sept 1939. So I was off by 2 days in original post.

[@johntheball]

Yes always overlooked by Russians that they were Hitlers allies...

[@waski672]

@@johntheball technically they were never allies. Germany and the Soviet Union did have a non aggression neutrality pact in that they had negotiated spheres of influence negotiated by their foreign ministers, Molotov and Ribbentrop.

[@johnsteiner3417]

Interesting seeing Kingsley muster back up all Gandhi's inflections and mannerisms.

[@LowenKM]

Was wondering why Kingsley was suddenly reading with an 'accent'... duh, he was 're-visiting' his role... thx!

[@Evemeister12]

The most unexpected pen pal relationship in history.

[@agape423]

It is shocking to learn that Ghandi addressed him as friend. Since Hitler in a loud voice advised Chamberlain, " What are you waiting to shot Ghandi?

[@cssuntherrao]

Gandhi was a friend to all and enemy to none. This does not mean he endorsed the violence of Hitler but was trying to appeal to his better sense which proved fruitless. That is all he could do.

[@peterhatch6242]

We are all brothers and sisters on this planet.

[@grizzsbiz]

He was talking to the Son of God hidden behind the ego of Hitler. Namaste.

[@hydrolito]

Adolf Hitler might have wanted Indians to rise up against British with force. Some other Indian leader could have done that. Adolf Hitler was a national socialist trying to spread socialism by force.

[@cssuntherrao]

@@hydrolito What has vitriolic hatred for, torture and massacre of Jews got to do with socialism. Hitler was a hegemonic, rabid racist who believed in the supremacy of the German race and would have done to Blacks, Indians and others what he did to Jews.

[@aswinshboneninezerotwotwo8]

Churchill was paranoid that Gandhi would appeal to Hitler for help to further the cause of Indian Independence. The letter thus never reached the recipient.

[@mshirley99]

Churchill was not the Prime Minister until ten months after this letter was written.

[@wolfganghasenmaier8350]

@@mshirley99 Churchill the genocider of 13 mio Indians

[@razasayyed382]

@@mshirley99 but he had considerably strong influence over british politics since the end of ww1.

[@mshirley99]

@@razasayyed382 not when that first letter was written.

[@mshirley99]

I should be clear: he had no influence over the British government until months later.

[@fatima-jc9kw]

Why is no one going to talk about how Gandhi literally addresses Hitler as his friend? This, from a man who is proclaimed to be an ideal of peace, and tolerance. Truly sheds insight on the character of one of the most revered men in modern history!

[@navyhmc8302]

Well narrated Sir Kingsley.

[@rr7firefly]

What a wonderful series this Letters Live is!

[@TheAlanSaunders]

It seems that Gandhi was shy of microphones and I could only find one recording of him speaking English: 20 October 1931 kzbin.info/www/bejne/e53MqaSYh9xnnZY . To my very English ear he has an unmistakable accent and manner of speaking. Sir Ben Kingsley did a good job but included some 'Indian' inflections that native English speakers expect.

[@joro8604]

That letter worked out well.

[@cinikcynic3087]

Egocentric of Gandhi to think his approach is the best..

[@wotdoesthisbuttondo]

Ghandi's like "Bloody hell doesn't he ever stop dining out on my name and stealing my valor?".

[@TheVideoLounge]

Stealing his valor ? Kingsley has rarely ever referred to his Oscar winning performance since making the film, and has taken on multitudes of other roles, this unique reading from him honours Gandhi not 'stealing his valor'.

[@mattyiceCA]

Wow, interesting perspective to say the least 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@roderuna7750]

"Then they will have my dead body, not my obedience"

[@raypurchase801]

I want Ben to read it in the voice of The Mandarin.

[@flannerymonaghan-morris4825]

Nearly 40 years after Gandhi came out, Kingsley still plays Gandhi really well. He’s still got it! Could very much well play an older Gandhi nowadays. If only Hitler wasn’t so stubborn, and actually listened to Gandhi’s warnings that waging war wouldn’t end well for him or the rest of the world…the Holocaust would be averted, hundreds of millions of innocent people wouldn’t have to die, soldiers wouldn’t have to come back traumatized…but he didn’t listen to Gandhi’s warnings or begging for peace. Gandhi was honestly quite brave doing this. He was a brave human being, period, but having the guts to stand up and call out Hitler on the potential disastrous consequences of his plans…all with a polite, calm letter. Gandhi was (and still is) a badass pacifist.

[@dibblernz]

Sigh... Sir Ben Kingsley is also of Indian and English decent (His real first name is Krishna). His father was Indian, his mother English.

[@johntheball]

Thats good...thought there might be a bit of blackface there😁

[@brontewcat]

I did not know that. Thank you for giving this information up. I thought he was of pure British descent, and having him play Gandhi (not withstanding his brilliant performance) may have been culturally inappropriate. It is good to know an actor of Indian descent played one of greatest Indians who every lived.

[@michaelairley2015]

His Indian ancestors come from the same place as Gandhi.

[@ConkerKing]

He should also read it in the voice of Don Logan..

[@sweetsweet3753]

yeah that would be hilarious... Don Logan is brilliant!!

[@garethcraddock9971]

He'd have looked a right Mr Confused. What's Teddy gonna say to that?

[@shawshank178]

Gandhi Ji spent 21 years in South Africa. I wonder if his time in the country affected his English speaking accent. If so, it would've been brilliant had Sir Kingsley incorporated the SA twang when emulating the Mahatma.

[@timbookedtwo2375]

What a coincidence. Letter from Ghandi dated 20 July 1939. Five years later on 20 July Hitler survived an assassination attempt.

[@dhanushkailash]

A Great visionary, Mr. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also with love and pride called by the people as 'Mahatma'.

[@56squadron]

He didn't listen. He wasn't going to listen. But at least no one can say we didn't try.

[@juliehock6059]

And now here we are back in the same situation with mr. Putin.

[@markhirstwood4190]

Not at all. India is with Russia. You can feel the power in Putin's voice and in the voices of his men calling back 'Ura!' to him at the recent Victory Day in Moscow, and even in their incredible national anthem. Ridiculous comparison. Hitler never sounded like Putin sounds.

[@davd1986]

Nowhere near that. NATO's eastward expansion, Ukraine's refusal to go neutral and to ignore the Minsk peace agreements, Ukraine's continued shelling of the Donbas region, etc, have all contributed to where we are today. The Russian's had real concerns for many years, they pushed for peace for 8 years now, and the US pushed Ukraine to ignore the Minsk peace accords, and now you see the result of that. Ukraine is being crushed. But sure, blame Putin.

[@beetalius]

The one man who could play both

[@VikingRhys]

May we all hope and pray that the day will come when we will again see a soul like Ghandi Gi walk and talk amongst us here in the flesh...... For never have we seen his like again..... Long live great soul... Long live Ghandi Gi....

[@thewkovacs316]

to do what? hand the world over to more nazis?

[@VikingRhys]

@@thewkovacs316 Not to provoke your negative feelings in any way please allow my reply to give you some little appreciation of Gandi's words and his meaning. NO and in no uncertain and immeasurable terms... No, No and No again. That was definitely NOT what Ghandi intended and had to say about dealing with the likes of Hitler and all his war mongering kind, with the Axis and Allies alike. ... To answer your question, you can go and find out for yourself on the Internet or at your local library what the Great Soul, Gandhi had to say to people like you, as any words I can say to you in comparison to his, would be meaningless as most of us, myself and you included, could never presume to be worthy of emulating his weekly groceries list, let alone the eminence his knowledge, equity, wisdom, philosophy and juris prudence. Peace be with you.

[@jpd4676]

Gandhi and Adolf Hitler will share hell together. Both did not believe that Jesus Christ was the way the truth and the life and the only One for Salvation.

[@VikingRhys]

@@jpd4676 Truly then if that's all you can believe and perceive. Please do your own reading, thinking and reflection on these metaphysical tribulations as I can only observe that you demonstrate an acute sense of disquiet and lack of understanding, and I am no less guilty of these misgivings than yourself. I'll say no more to you on the matter as I am not willing, qualified or worthy enough to be guiding or advising anyone on their own religion, consciousness and emancipation for the their soul.

[@jpd4676]

@@VikingRhys Many useless words you said here sure show the inability you have to communicate with coherence sentences and I agree please be so kind not to say anymore they mean nothing and I do not want to waste my time with an unintelligent babble-talking individual who has no clue what he is talking about. May I recommend you to go do your own reading and pick up the Bible and read what it says about these two-child of the devil individuals? As an example in John 3:16-21 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” Repent or you likewise will perish.

[@anonfornow359]

"Dear Friend...." 🙏🏻💗

[@shxrao]

Sounds closer to Appu, I'm afraid, than real recordings of Gandhi's diction!

[@nawabsofhyderabad1758]

Absolutely...Gandhi studied law in London and spent first few years of his professional life in Britsh ruled South Africa..his english accent would have been somewhere between Indian and British accented English..

[@tonbopro]

kind Sir，you make a simple letter come alive～

[@caeserromero3013]

Unfortunately it got lost in the post :)

[@erikminton6986]

Absolutely brilliant.

[@samday6621]

I imagine Hitler gave the letter as much thought and consideration as Putin would.

[@davd1986]

What is with you Westerners comparing Putin to Hitler? George W Bush is far closer to Hitler than Putin will ever be. 2 million Iraqis have died since 2003 as a result of the illegal invasion and subsequent occupation. Do some research and thinking on your own instead of just watching the MSM and nodding your head like a zombie.

[@samday6621]

@@davd1986 you can have more than one person on the list of people like Hitler.

[@davd1986]

@@samday6621 Putin is nothing like Hitler.

[@samday6621]

@@davd1986 Putin has driven his troops into a sovereign country without invitation, ordering them target civilian houses, churches, hospitals, bombing, raping, murdering and looting. His aim is to take land that does not belong to Russia, bolster his power and ignore international rules based law. Unlike G.W.Bush, Russians cannot demonstrate against Putins war let alone vote him out. The fact that Putin used the excuse that he was “conducting special military operations to liberate Russians from Nazis” invites the comparison of him to Hitler.

[@samday6621]

@@davd1986 How do you justify your position of supporting an autocrat such as Putin (the poor man’s Hitler) whilst you enjoy the freedoms of a democratic society?

[@patrikiosvatemanopoulos]

I find that astonishing, he's amazing, this is astounding

[@maryfitzpatrick3252]

Am 74. At the naive age of 18, I had the privilege of a dialogue over tea with Indira Ghandi. She ask me many questions about democracy that I was ill prepared to answer. A lesson taught that I have carried with me throughout my life. When I travel abroad, I am keen to glean what I can about other governing institutions. Ms. Ghandhi had no idea she was teaching me to be a global citizen.

[@amay9870]

Well she was not the right person to talk about democracy. She imposed emergency in India, in supreme court set her own bunch of judges in panel , initiated operation blue star which eventually led to her murder. Also she used Gandhi surname but isn't in any way connected to Mahatma Gandhi. People do get confused about this fact.

[@maryfitzpatrick3252]

@@amay9870 Completely agree. My point was more about how little I knew about democracy at age 18. It was embarrassing 😳. At 18, I was in awe 🫢 of having tea with her. History has proved how very naive I was 😫

[@amay9870]

@@maryfitzpatrick3252 well its fine people in their 40's and older still do not get what democracy is all about. In my country we are slowly shifting towards dictatorship. If you are against the party you are Anti National !

[@maryfitzpatrick3252]

@@amay9870 We are alarmingly politically polarized in USA 🇺🇸, eroding our democratic republic. So much hate. Too many guns. Discrimination in many forms. Fueled by the worst President in my lifetime, Donald Trump 🤮 Been following your news on Reuters. So much struggle.

[@amay9870]

@@maryfitzpatrick3252 I hope with Joe Biden things might be improving.

[@SharonGitau]

Wow. I never knew about this. If only Hitler would have listened to his sincere appeal.

[@Adam13Chalmers]

Where is the McKellen reading? my video ends as he takes the podium.

[@BeeWhistler]

I hope they share that one if they haven’t. I’m always ready to hear his voice.

[@greggseager4632]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6fKeommqcmsla8

[@jlb9368]

Mine too - and I wonder what he would read…

[@squange]

He reads "Dear Mama" from Armistead Maupin. It's stellar.

[@mzubuki]

Love Jesus with all your remembering and imagining. Seek God and his sweet amazing grace.

[@skinnie2838]

Jesus is the only way

[@peterholy953]

I didn't know that Gandhi and Hitler were pen pals. Oh, that is so sweet. The letter was probably lost and didn't reach poor Adolf in time.

[@davidwhite4874]

It was intercepted by British Secret Services. You don't want thoughts of peace to get in the way of a nice, profitable, useful war.

[@jabronis33]

It didn't. The British intercepted it and feared India would want its independence

[@snowflakemelter1172]

" where you going for your holidays this year Adolf"? " Poland"

[@davidwhite4874]

@@jabronis33 Which it got anyway two years after the war ended.

[@selfiekroos1777]

The only guy to do that accent without insult

[@jojojam6012]

I admire Gandhi for his humility. But, although he achieved the goal of ridding India of the British, he failed to unite Hindus and Muslims and many died through his efforts. He was too good for this world.

[@justgivemethetruth]

There is no uniting Muslims with anyone, anywhere, anytime. Big problem.

[@Walker-ow7vj]

Yeah good luck uniting the “religion of peace” with actual peaceful religious communities lmao

[@donaldmason7081]

Gandhi died trying to keep Hindus and Muslims united in peace. Remember a Hindu extremist killed him for his efforts

[@21centdregs]

@@justgivemethetruth bullshit. you're "justgivemethetruth" handle is very obviously representing someone seeking confirmation bias anywhere they can find it if those are the type of comments you're leaving strewn around

[@db-pz1dh]

@@Me-yq1fl 🙋 I'm waving at Me!

[@claudermiller]

It's a shame Americans consider humility synonymous with weakness.

[@SiiriCressey]

I wonder if it reached Adolf. If he read it. What he thought.

[@hii9918]

This is the perfect tribute to the letter of M.K Gandhi.

[@reneecarter6702]

Well done he 👏🏼 👏🏼👏🏼

[@Pietje_Piraat]

now Ben needs to play Hitler to make full circle

[@richardthompson6079]

We can all thank Ghandi for showing us what happens when you face brutality, invasion, and genocide with understanding love and compassion. Nothing at all. Let us not make the same mistake with Putin.

[@ArchieDuke.]

Well said.

[@socialeconomicpoliticalana1128]

Ignoring, appeasing and pacifism with a brutal government leaders always results in death and destruction.

[@notadoctora7956]

Yes let's fight destruction with destruction.

[@memonk11]

What nonsense.

[@davidatlas8630]

I don’t know what this means. “Nothing at all” as in it does nothing to stop the aggression? Or “Nothing at all” as in the aggression does nothing in response to the love and compassion? Are you saying that the world should defy Putin’s aggression because love and compassion will do nothing to stop it, or that we should treat him with love and compassion because that will cause him to stand down?

[@armandofernandezguillermet8996]

Thank You dear friends for sharing this enlightening lecture.

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

However well intentioned, this comes across as another Chamberlain speech. You don't offer your hand to a shark unless you want it bitten off.

[@rightlyso8507]

Most excellent truthful comment and thankfully NOT fawning over the man!

[@triffidkiller1234]

That's insulting to all sharks, Hitler was much worse than all the sharks that have ever existed put together.

[@gvibration1]

@@triffidkiller1234 Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot etc ... all the same people.

[@karenryder6317]

@@gvibration1 Interesting that you don't include any of the right-wing oppressors and torturers.

[@gvibration1]

@@karenryder6317 ther is no left or right for the people suffering the tyranny of an imposed ideology.

[@joelkoning6190]

This beautifully written and powerful message couldn't have fallen on more deaf and evil ears than Hitlers.

[@markhirstwood4190]

An eye for an eye doesn't leave the whole world blind, it simply avenges the victims who've had their eyes taken out by aggressors. It's Sir Ben Kingsley, btw. Unless this video was made before he was knighted in 2001 which I don't think it was.

[@johntheball]

The "sir"is an out of date affectation just more glitter in the Royalist theatre,not appropriate for 21 century...

[@Walker-ow7vj]

Yeah like bro people supposed to just turn the other cheek to have their eye ripped out yeah fuck that bro

[@s.j.p6394]

There's was no need for the accent. But I still respect Sir Kingsley.

[@jonathanfiore]

Such a sad letter. He had such a high view of humanity that he could not know that his words could only encourage Hitler to begin that war: it was Hitler's goal to "reduce humanity to a savage state".

[@jikkh2x]

You don’t know the difference between goals and means apparently

[@Shapar95]

I don’t know where it was ever stated by Hitler that that was his goal. It’s just a silly statement - since he explicitly and publicly stated his goals of conquest…..

[@jonathanfiore]

​@@Shapar95 He didn't say it publically to my knowledge, but that's where his Nazi ideology went, especially towards the last 3 years of the war. I'm getting this from a biography of Hitler, and there it talked about Hitler's goal of reducing men to savagery: a race war where the Aryans would triumph. He thought Western Civilization had gotten to soft and needed to be barbarized. This is especially true when you look at the Eastern Front and how he conducted it.

[@roysnider3456]

Wow he does a great dramatic reading.

[@madpete6438]

Awesome. Powerful Man that Gandhi - I think he would be disappointed with the madness of the Indian government today (and many, many others too). He was a champion of poor and downtrodden and a man to be admired by all. We do not get huble, considered politicians anymore, just greedy bullies.

[@snowflakemelter1172]

He wanted Indians to return to a de industrialised peasant economy and keep them poor substance farmers forever.

[@Taurus388]

He had his flaws and some people in India have their reasons to hate him, especially at his actions in the aftermath of the partition of India, but I get what you mean.

[@rosiemackenzie5976]

Mahatma Gandhi. You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

[@nhmooytis7058]

“Dear Dolfy, hoping to change my look, the bedsheet’s so last year. Your uniforms are spiffy.”

[@camhamster3891]

And that 'stache...

[@nhmooytis7058]

@@camhamster3891 Gandhi should have tried a Magnum PI stache.

[@matthewstokes1608]

He was amazing old Gandhi… Shame he only ever made the one film though.

[@walterludwig3168]

They had taken parts of germany and placed it within Polish borders, with the Versaiiles Treaty. it was the right from germany to want it back. Hitler negotiated many times with Poland and sought to clear the matter in a reasonable way. But due to pressure from England, Poland many times did not even give a reply to Germany. It was England (and in the background Roosevelt) who pushed for war.

[@luisg.5700]

Yes sir

[@ricksteamboat8051]

Man listen to the accent, so Indian. Kingsley nailed it.

[@jeremywilliams703]

In the words of Dr Phil, “How’s that working out for you?”

[@jacobgiolas7314]

"I remain your sincere friend." - Gandhi to Hitler

[@exeterjedi6730]

Oh dear. Ben Kingsley is Indian. Other speakers at these letter events also put on accents, as they are reading the letters in the voice of the writers, including British actors using American accents.

[@JSB103]

Maybe somebody should be sending somebody a similar letter *TODAY,* even if it doesn't help any, it could hardly make things worse.