Stewart Granger is essential replaying his Allan Quatermain role in this jungle epic. The setting is India however. A man eating tiger is terrorizing a village and the Indian government hires professional hunter Harry Black to kill it. Black also finds that his ex-wife, Christian, is now remarried to the manager of a tea plantation located in the area and they have an eight year old son. To further complicate the situation it turns out that the plantation manger, whose name is Desmond Tanner, had been a POW with Black during the war. During an escape attempt from the POW camp Tanner had chickened out and remained behind. Black attempted to get Tanner to to join the escape but the delay led to him be shot in the leg.His escape has a success but his leg had to be amputated. He now has a hollow steel leg which adds to his tough guy reputation.
Black lets Tanner accompany him on his first attempt to put down the tiger. As the elephants and beaters drive the tiger towards to shooting blind. Tanner panics and makes a bad shot throwing off Harry's aim. The Tiger attacks Harry and badly mauls him.He convalesces at the tea plantation with Christian nursing him. They both realize that they still have strong feelings for each other. Tanner realizes it too.Because of his and the severity of his wounds, Black starts to doubt himself and his ability to take down the tiger and goes on a drinking binge.
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Christian and his faithful gun bearer Bapu help him get back on his feet and the two former lovers realize that they they are committed to the present live can't go back to what was. Harry finally gets the tiger and presents its hide to the Tanners young son, who hero worships him, as a rug for his bedroom.The movie ends with Harry and Bapu driving through the village as they celebrate the death of the tiger.
Granger certainly looks the part of a white hunter. Steel who usually played daring-do chaps is awkward in the role of a coward. American Midwest born Barbara Rush is out of place as the woman between them I S Johar as Bapu provides the comedy Relief. The tiger scenes are well done and the Indian scenery is breathtaking. Some judicious editing and a tighter script would have helped this movie a great deal. As it is, its a pleasant way to pass an hour and a half just not memorable.
Black lets Tanner accompany him on his first attempt to put down the tiger. As the elephants and beaters drive the tiger towards to shooting blind. Tanner panics and makes a bad shot throwing off Harry's aim. The Tiger attacks Harry and badly mauls him.He convalesces at the tea plantation with Christian nursing him. They both realize that they still have strong feelings for each other. Tanner realizes it too.Because of his and the severity of his wounds, Black starts to doubt himself and his ability to take down the tiger and goes on a drinking binge.
*****************SPOILER******************
Christian and his faithful gun bearer Bapu help him get back on his feet and the two former lovers realize that they they are committed to the present live can't go back to what was. Harry finally gets the tiger and presents its hide to the Tanners young son, who hero worships him, as a rug for his bedroom.The movie ends with Harry and Bapu driving through the village as they celebrate the death of the tiger.
Granger certainly looks the part of a white hunter. Steel who usually played daring-do chaps is awkward in the role of a coward. American Midwest born Barbara Rush is out of place as the woman between them I S Johar as Bapu provides the comedy Relief. The tiger scenes are well done and the Indian scenery is breathtaking. Some judicious editing and a tighter script would have helped this movie a great deal. As it is, its a pleasant way to pass an hour and a half just not memorable.