Beyond the River: Why the 1972 Film Siddhartha Still Resonates
We often talk about "spiritual journeys" as something quiet, internal, and deeply personal. But what does that journey actually look like? In 1972, director Conrad Rooks attempted to answer that question with his luminous adaptation of Hermann Hesse’s cult-classic novel, Siddhartha .
It would be remiss not to address the cultural context. A film directed by an American (Conrad Rooks) about an Indian spiritual figure (not the Buddha, but a contemporary) based on a book by a German author (Hesse). There is an inherent layer of Western romanticism here. However, unlike many "Eastern mysticism" films of the era, Siddhartha doesn’t preach. It presents a universal struggle: the search for meaning in a material world. It happens to be dressed in a dhoti rather than a suit. film siddhartha
If you love slow cinema, philosophical texts, or simply want to see Shashi Kapoor at his most vulnerable, yes .
★★★★ (4/5) Best watched alone, late at night, with no distractions. Let the river flow over you. Have you seen the 1972 film adaptation? How do you think it compares to the book? Let me know in the comments below. Beyond the River: Why the 1972 Film Siddhartha
By the time Siddhartha finally listens to the river and hears all the voices—the laughing child, the crying lover, the hungry animal—melded into the single sound of "Om," you might find yourself feeling a little quieter, too.
Shot on location in India, the film captures a country that feels suspended between the ancient and the modern. Cinematographer Sven Nykvist (Ingmar Bergman’s legendary collaborator) bathes the screen in golden hour light. The river is always shimmering; the faces are always lined with truth. Unlike Western films that exoticize India, Siddhartha looks at it plainly—dusty, beautiful, and brutally real. It would be remiss not to address the cultural context
For those who have only read the book, the idea of a film adaptation might feel daunting. Hesse’s prose is lyrical, philosophical, and introspective—hardly the stuff of blockbuster cinema. Yet, Rooks’ film, starring Shashi Kapoor in a career-defining role, is a hidden gem that deserves to be pulled out of the dusty archives of 70s counterculture cinema.