Tiger of Eschnapur, The (1959)

The Tiger of Eschnapur (1959) and The Indian Tomb (1959), directed by Fritz Lang.

I don't know the story behind these movies, or what Fritz Lang was trying to accomplish. It is a German-made adventure/romance of a Princely State in colonial India, although we sometimes see modern dress and automobiles.

Obviously an expensive production with elaborate sets and costumes and some beautiful on location use of Indian palaces. The story is dull, sometimes suggesting folk tales or opera plots. It most closely resembles an old fashioned matinee serial for kids and I suppose it can be enjoyed on that level, but it is pretty tough sledding. No acting required, and we don't get any.

Debra Paget does some exotic temple dancing. Is this performance offensive to Hindus? I wouldn't doubt it for a moment.

Beautiful color, although the original aspect ratio is 1.37:1, which is narrow for a 1959 color epic. I notice a distracting lighting effect: some spotlight or reflector is shining on part of every scene.

In addition to the original German there are English audio and subtitle tracks: they seem only vaguely related. Even the names and nationalities are different.