A notorious death cult known as the Thuggees terrorizes India. Gutsy and aggressive Captain Harry Lewis (a fine and commanding performance by Guy Rolfe) stirs things up by investigating a series of disappearances attributed to the Thuggees. Director Terence Fisher, working from a taut and absorbing script by David Zelag Goodman, relates the compelling story at a steady pace, delivers a rich and flavorsome evocation of the period setting, and doesn't pull any punches with the film's potent moments of shocking violence and brutality (one of the single most unnerving scenes occurs when a Thuggee cult member kills his own older brother!). This movie further benefits from sound acting from a sturdy cast: Rolfe makes for a dashing and engaging hero, Marne Maitland as the suave and cunning Patel Shari and George Pastell as the bald and charismatic High Priest of Kali register strongly as the main villains of the piece, plus are are solid contributions from the fetching Jan Holden as Lewis' loyal wife Mary, Andrew Cruickshank as the ineffectual Colonel Henderson, Paul Stassino as the corrupt Lieutenant Silver, and Allan Cuthbertson as the arrogant and condescending Captain Christopher Connaught-Smith. Arthur Grant's sharp black and white cinematography makes nifty occasional use of artful dissolves. James Bernard's robust ominous score hits the rousing spot. Best of all, the tight 80 minute running time ensures that this film doesn't overstay its welcome. Well worth a look.
Review of The Stranglers of Bombay
