The Stranglers of
Bombay
Director: Terence Fisher
Year: 1959
Rating: 5.0
I have to admit that this is the first film I
have seen in which a man is saved by a mongoose. In fact, the mongoose is
the hero of the film. It is supposed to be the British officer but he is
as stupid as a bad knock-knock joke. I had read that The Terror of the Tongs
(1961) was basically a remake of this film but situated in Hong Kong rather
than India. True to some extent. Both are set in a colony of the old British
Empire and one white man on his own saves the day against a dastardly cult.
The Tongs and in this one the Thugges (from which the word thug comes from).
The Tongs are way more colorful but give me the Thugges anytime. Gunga Din
and The Temple of Doom. Kali, Goddess of Death. Kali is merciful in the Hindi
religion but like all religions it can become perverted by followers. The
Thugges in the 1800's worshipped Kali and killed for her. Garroting people
with a silk scarf. Strangling because according to this film spilled blood
only created monsters. In truth because in an odd law, if no blood was spilled
in a murder, you could only be sentenced to prison. A small cut and a few
droplets and you are executed.
They are basically thieves though and travelled
the land robbing and killing people. Often pretending to be in need of shelter.
In this film over a thousand people in caravans have gone missing and the
Brits don't seem to care much. I mean they were only Indians. Except Captain
Lewis (Guy Rolfe) who suspects it is organized but no one will listen to
him. And miss a spot of tea and a game of cricket? But no Indians will talk
to him of course. Anyone who does gets the silk tie treatment. A snooty British
officer is assigned to investigate - played by the perpetually snooty Alan
Cuthbertson who poo poo's everything. The chances of a bad end coming to
him is a good bet. The film moves like molasses with a few violent punctuations
such as a decapitated hand landing on the dining table and mass strangulations.
Lewis is an idiot - twice being captured while spying on their camp and having
to be rescued by his mongoose. A shockingly anti-climatic ending in which
nothing much happens. Give me Gunga Din. You're a better movie than I am.
Shot in black and white.
