Aparajito 1956

Bosley Crowther, New York Times: It is done with such rare feeling and skill at pictorial imagery, and with such sympathetic understanding of Indian character on the part of Mr. Ray, that it develops a sort of hypnotism for the serene and tolerant viewer. Read more

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader: It's a masterpiece for which terms like 'simplicity' and 'profundity' seem inadequate. Read more

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader: Ray's relaxed, open style had a tremendous influence on the film world of 1956, but time has absorbed some of its originality. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: The word 'masterpiece' is certainly overused, but this is one instance when it is deserved. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: Standing above fashion, it creates a world so convincing that it becomes, for a time, another life we might have lived. Read more

Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle: There's pleasure in witnessing Apu's thrill of knowledge, but sadness when his ambitions create an inevitable break with his mother. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: It doesn't have quite the tension or quite the variety of mood but it has a special brooding quality and a more explicit conflict between East and West. Read more