The Mahabharata

[MichaelB]

10 August: THE MAHABHARATA on Blu-ray

Born from Peter Brook’s groundbreaking international stage production, THE MAHABHARATA transforms an ancient epic about two warring families into a cinematic masterpiece. Originally produced in 1989, this 2-disc Blu-ray set features the newly restored five-hour television mini-series version.

[Peacock]

Never got the DVD of this, 21 years after the DVD here we are getting an upgrade. I hope BFI continues rescuing some of their old releases like this, although I guess this one was recently restored so that makes the difference.

[Stefan Andersson]

Mention of the mini-series version on UHD:
https://poorhouseintl.co.uk/detail.php?id=495

[DeprongMori]

I seem to recall the full version may have only been available on VHS in the US, so I never picked it up.

I am thrilled that the full version has been restored and will finally become available on Blu-ray. I eventually saw the full series on PBS on my old cathode-ray TV. It is really an incredible film. I will admit to be a bit disappointed that the theatrical version is not included, as it was my first encounter with the film.

[MichaelB]

Full specs announced:

THE MAHABHARATA
A film by Peter Brook
2-disc set

New 4K Restoration

Released on BFI Blu-ray on 10 August 2026

One of the greatest stage-to-screen adaptations ever made, The Mahabharata is at the very heart of Indian culture. This new 4K restoration brings a 2,000-year-old story into sharp, urgent focus. Released on Blu-ray by the BFI on 10 August, extras include a newly filmed interview with the director’s son, Simon Brook, who recalls his unique memories of the production, the cultural positioning of the film and his father’s legacy.

Performed by a global cast and directed by a legend of world theatre, The Mahabharata is a timeless story of morality, love, power, war and the fragility of human order – one that speaks directly to the conflicts of our own time, and to audiences of all ages.

Long time collaborators Peter Brook (director) and Jean Claude Carrière (screenwriter) created the three plays that comprise this version of the epic, producing a globally successful nine-hour stage production, a three-hour version for the cinema, and this triptych at just over five hours.

The central story is that of the lifelong feud between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, two closely related regal families, but the many subplots, diversions, fables and legends turn this mythological epic into a tale of and for all mankind.

Special features
Newly restored in 4K and presented in High Definition
My Father’s Legacy – Simon Brook on The Mahabharata (2026, 35 mins): the son of director Peter Brook recalls his unique memories of the production, the cultural positioning of the film and his father’s legacy
Making the Mahabharata (1989, 55 mins): director Peter Brook, screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière and the international cast comment on the making of the film
Brook by Brook (2002, 70 mins): an intimate portrait of the director by his son
Pageant of the Sun-god (1934, 9 mins): a travelogue of the extravagant celebration of The Maharana of Udaipur
Trailer
**FIRST PRESSING ONLY** Illustrated booklet including new essays by Ravi Jain and Miriam Fernandes of the Why Not Theatre and actor Georges Corraface, archive pieces by Jean-Claude Carrière and Peter Brook and extensive notes on the restoration by Simon Brook. Plus, notes on the special features and film credits

Product details
RRP: £24.99 Cat. no. BFIB1571 / Cert U
France, UK, USA / 1989 / colour / 332 minutes / English language with optional descriptive subtitles and French subtitles / original aspect ratio 1.66:1 | BD50 x 2: 1080p, 24fps, DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio (48kHz/24-bit)