Gandhi

A collection of original material used in the production of Gandhi, the 1982 historical epic based on the life of Mahatma Gandhi directed by Richard Attenborough.

Gandhi was a picture long in the making for director Richard Attenborough, his dream project would be finally realised in 1982 starring Ben Kingsley in the title role however in the various stages of pre production which took place years earlier several high profile actors were considered to portray Gandhi, notably Alec Guinness and Anthony Hopkins with David Lean even attached to direct the picture at one stage.

This archive of material relates to the potential casting of Anthony Hopkins as Gandhi and the make-up effects required to transform him in to the leader which were at this time being handled by noted make-up designer Stuart Freeborn who found fame with the original Star Wars trilogy. The collection comprises of the following

• An original hand drawn profile of Anthony Hopkins accomplished in pen on tracing paper, 9" x 7".
• A period photostat print of Freeborn's original rendering of Hopkins as Gandhi, 9.5" x 8".
• The original negative photostat print of the above on semi gloss photographic paper, 10" x 8"
• A type written letter on trifolded blue paper from Hopkins' agents Boyack and Conway in response to make-up designer Stuart Freeborn's request for profile shots of the actor, this dated 22nd August, 1973 and hand signed by agent Jeremy Conway, accompanied by original manilla envelope addressed to Freeborn.
• A strip of three 2" x 2" Kodak transparencies of Hopkins.
• A vintage 8" x 10" still of Hopkins smoking a cigarette, ink stamped to the verso 'BOYACK AND CONWAY LTD' and hand inscribed with Hopkins' name.
• A smaller profile photograph of Hopkins, again stamped to the verso with quantity of hand inscribed notes.

The collection remains in excellent vintage condition with age related toning present, most notably to the photostat prints, overall very fine.

An extremely interesting archive of production material from this highly regarded biopic which was the recipient of eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor.