There is a short introduction to the Mahabharata by the indologist van Buitenen:
- van Buitenen, J.A.B. (Ed.): The Mahābhārata. Translated and Edited. Chicago 1973 (Book I-V)
The most gentle introduction I know are the comics editions of the Mahabharata, e.g.
- Pai, Anant , Kadam, Dilip , Chandrakant, Kamala. Mahabharata, 3 Vol. Amar Chitra Katha, 1998
In addition on youtube you can find the Mahbharata as film and also selected clips.