The Indian Tomb

The Indian Tomb is a notable and beautifully shot epic adventure film of 1959. Directed by Fritz Lang, a master of German expressionist cinema, the movie leverages an enthralling blend of mystery, romance, and suspense set against the grandeur of an opulent India. With an enigmatic storyline and brilliant casting that stars Debra Paget, Paul Hubschmid, and Walther Reyer, The Indian Tomb is a pulsating narrative that takes the viewer on a journey of the exotic east.

In a nutshell, The Indian Tomb is a tale of an extravagant Maharaja, a forbidden love, a vengeful plot, and a daring European architect drawn into the dance of eastern mysticism and political intrigue. Lang paints a captivating canvas filled with bewitching characters and dangerously beautiful locations that adds a certain charm to the film.

The film stars Debra Paget, an iconic Hollywood actress, who plays a strikingly beautiful temple dancer Seetha. Paget mesmerizingly delivers her character, commencing as an exotic beauty serving the Maharaja, then transmuting into a person of unbending courage and resistance as the story evolves.

Complementing her is the Swiss actor, Paul Hubschmid, portraying the character of Harold Berger, a German architect. Hubschmid navigates the character's nuances perfectly as a Naïve European who slowly wakes up to the harsh realities of palace politics and finds himself in a web of life-threatening situations.

The character of Chandra, the Maharaja, played by Walther Reyer, lends an intriguing depth to the storyline. His character, once a peace-loving prince before falling under the spell of a deceitful yogi, comes across as a multifaceted character twisted between his past and present.

The plot unfolds as Berger is commissioned to design buildings in India, only to find that he is a pawn in Maharaja's diabolical plot motivated by vengeance. He meets and falls in love with the temple dancer Seetha, which further complicates matters. The pair's attempt to flee ends tragically, setting the stage for the second half of the movie where suspense is meticulously built until the nail-biting climax.

The narrative is enriched by Lang's masterful handling of the grandeur of Maharaja's palace contrasted with the mystical simplicity of the Indian populace. Cinematographer Richard Angst engulfs the film in a vibrant color palette, beautifully showcasing the Indian landscapes and the opulence of the court of the Maharaja. The exotic dances, the ornate sets, the lavish palaces, and the perilous journey through the Indian wilderness are skilfully captured, contributing to the film's appeal and overall visual grandeur.

The musical score, by Gerhard Becker and Michel Michelet, paints a sonic soundscape that has an intriguing mix of European and Oriental shades, complementing the spirit of the film.

What makes The Indian Tomb standout is Fritz Lang's acute sense of storytelling. Adapted from Thea von Harbou's novel, it’s the evolving dynamics between the lead characters that keeps the viewer hooked. Lang’s grip over the narrative allows him to unfold layer after layer of the labyrinthine plot, involving palace intrigue, murder, and revenge, leaving the viewer guessing at every turn.

It's also worth noting that The Indian Tomb was originally made as a two-part movie. The first part titled "The Tiger of Bengal" and the second part titled "The Indian Tomb". However, for its English-speaking audience, both parts were condensed into a single feature-length film titled "The Indian Tomb."

The Indian Tomb is much more than just an adventure film. It is an engaging exploration of human nature and emotions set in an unconventional setting that today’s audience might find appealing for its exoticness. At its core, it's a beautiful visual narration of a romantic-tragic saga that will keep you glued till the last frame. This movie is an apt recommendation for anyone who enjoys classic films brimming with drama, suspense, and romance, set in an exotic locale.