- Actors: Om Puri, Linda Bassett, Jordan Routledge, Archie Panjabi, Emil Marwa
- Directors: Damien O'Donnell
- Writers: Ayub Khan-Din
- Producers: Alan J. Wands, Leslee Udwin, Paul Webster, Shellie Smith, Stephanie Guerrasio
- Format: PAL
- Language English
- Subtitles: English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.77:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Film Four
- DVD Release Date: 10 Sep 2001
- Run Time: 96 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004SX6V
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 11,958 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
A surprise hit internationally, Damien O'Donnell's feature debut is a warm, richly funny portrait of the cultural and emotional collisions of a multiracial family in 1971 Salford, where curry meets fish-and-chips and the threat of a spacehopper lurks around every corner. Adapted by Ayub Khan-Din from his own stage play, the film centres on Pakistani immigrant George Khan (huge Bollywood star Om Puri) still deeply attached to the moral and political mores of his homeland, but married to Englishwoman Ella (Linda Bassett). Despite her protestations, Khan is adamant their six sons and daughter, raised to respect traditional Muslim values, must enter into arranged marriages. Meanwhile, the children are more intent on pursuing the secret pleasures of interracial dating, bacon sandwiches and midnight forays to the nearest club.
O'Donnell's direction fully exploits the often bawdy humour in the family's everyday struggles, while bringing an unexpected emotional punch to the scenes of violent confrontation which erupt as Khan becomes ever more dictatorial. The film also maintains comic momentum and dramatic intensity throughout thanks to excellent performances by Puri, Bassett and the remaining cast, including soap stars Chris Bisson (Coronation Street) and Jimi Mistry (EastEnders). Against a backdrop of 1970s pop culture, the many highlights include an oversexed dog and a giant sculpted pudenda.
Special Features
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
DVD 9
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Theatrical Trailer
Deleted Scenes
Directors Commentary
Cast And Crew Interviews
Behind The Scenes Footage
TV Advertisements
Audio Description For The Visually Impaired
English
DVD 9
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital 5.1
Theatrical Trailer
Deleted Scenes
Directors Commentary
Cast And Crew Interviews
Behind The Scenes Footage
TV Advertisements
Audio Description For The Visually Impaired
English
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
East Is East,
By Rich Milligan (Thatcham, Berkshire) - See all my reviews
This review is from: East Is East [DVD] [1999] (DVD)
Set in 1971 in Salford, Manchester, East is East takes a humorous look at life for the Khan family. George Khan is the Pakistani born immigrant who came to Britain in the 30's. We learn he has left his first wife back in Pakistan and has now married an English woman in the shape of Ella. Together they run the local fish and chip shop as well as trying to bring up their large family of 6 sons and a daughter. George is desperately trying to hold on to Pakistani and Muslim traditions. We initially meet him on the wedding day of his eldest son. The poor son is petrified at the thought of the arranged marriage, and taking the first look at his bride he bolts from ceremony exclaiming that he "cannot do this". George is mortified, not caring a jot for the feelings of his son, he is only concerned of the shame that this will bring to the Khan family.Ella, on the other hand, is struggling with trying to not to undermine her husband but at the same time trying to support her numerous off-spring, who all having been born in Britain, cannot understand why they cannot go to the local disco, study art instead of engineering or must wear a sari on Sunday. In general the film stays light hearted and provides some incredibly funny moments ranging from slap-stick to double entendre and wit. Some of the gags could be accused of being very stereotypical; we have the Enoch Powell supporting neighbour, the lusty northern lasses who pursue the handsome Khan boys, the eldest son who runs off from his wedding turns up later managing a very camp hat shop along with partner Nigel, but there's no nastiness involved and no-one has cause to take offence. On the other hand the film does have a darker side which is very shocking when shown alongside the humour. There's some tear-jerking poignancy and some hand to the mouth surprises which raises the film to the level above just being a laugh along comedy. The performances are solid to a man with Om Puri and Linda Bassett leading the way with some fine turns. The one other bit of fun to have with the film is to try to name all the other series and soap opera you've now seen the various actors in on television.
27 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant British (yes, British) comedy,
By A Customer
This review is from: East Is East [DVD] [1999] (DVD)
East is East is a brilliant film. It manages to realistically portray early 70s Salford (Manchester, UK) and the life of a British non-religious mother, a Pakistani staunch Muslim father and their seven kids, whilst indulging in one of the funniest comedies I have seen in a long time. The acting from the entire cast is superb, beautifully timed and able to capture the highs and lows and the trivial of their lives. The story is based around the clash of cultures between little England (look out for the different reactions of the Enoch Powell supporting neighbour and his grandchildren towards the Khan family: priceless!) and the unknown - and regularly misunderstood - Indian subcontinent immigrants. Without giving away too much of the story, I would recommend you just to sit back, watch and enjoy. Laugh at the genuinely funny moments (Sajid's circumcision, Salim's 'art' and Tariq being 'Tony' are my favourites) and appreciate the somewhat inevitable clashes between East and West that give the film a tenser edge, making you remember that it wasn't all Space Hoppers and groooovy music in the 70s.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
east is east,
This review is from: East Is East [DVD] [1999] (DVD)
Having first seen the cover I thought rubbish, however, I rate this as a very funny film. The setting depicts the struggle of a white/ pakistani marriage with the children all doing their own thing. Having a strict father serve all the more in making the children rebel against their pakistan upbringing. Having been born in England it is obvious that their ways and mannerisms are going to be more of an english nature. A very funny seen is when they go to "Bradistan" Bradford, to "cement" an arranged marriage only to find that when they get there all is not as it seems, the prospective wives to be look more like Laurel and Hardy than the pretty girls that boys thought that they would be, this throws the whole of the boys family into chaos with both familys falling out much to the boys relief, safe in the knowledge that they are free to play the field for another day. If you can see all the funny sides to this film you will be garanteed aching side from laughing so much. It is a film that is well written, taken a lot of thought and is true to the attitude of the 70's children.
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