Turbanhead

We were tipped off by PCLLD a few months ago about Das Indische Grabmal [aka The Indian Tomb] (1959), one of the last films by legendary German film director Fritz Lang. We loved the clip so much we rented it from Netflix.

The Indian Tomb (1959) is a direct continuation of The Tiger of Eschnapur (1959). It is watchable throughout, but lacks the brilliance found in the opening sections of its predecessor. It largely recycles the sets and story elements of the previous film, offering us only a little that is new. The film is visually fascinating, however.

This film has much material on religion, and some on politics. It seems like a didactic work, at times. Lang provides a reverent view of the Moslem caravan riders and the Hindu villagers, willing to risk their lives for the sake of hospitality and moral decency. And an equally reverent view of a Buddhist holy man, who upbraids the Maharajah in a memorable scene.

The villagers are threatened with death here, by corrupt dictators, just as in Lang’s anti-Nazi film about occupied Czechoslovakia, Hangmen Also Die! (1943). Both the Maharajah, and the powerful men who revolt against him, seem like corrupt, anti-democratic forces. Unfortunately, at the end of The Indian Tomb, we do not see what the final form of government is in Eschnapur. [ more ]

The film features an all German cast, most in blackface playing Indians. Debra Paget’s snake dance is the highlight of the film and here’s a clip in German with English subtitles.

UPDATED

Since people asked about the film, here’s another scene where the maharajah is overthrown and a very unconvincing fight sequence ensues.

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