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6.0/10
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Fact-based account of a secret society of murderers, and of the man who exposed them in British India 1825.Fact-based account of a secret society of murderers, and of the man who exposed them in British India 1825.Fact-based account of a secret society of murderers, and of the man who exposed them in British India 1825.
Bijaya Jena
- Harlot
- (as Bijoya Jena)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFirst film of Producer Ismail Merchant, which was not directed by James Ivory. The movie was directed by Nicholas Meyer.
- GoofsThe film set in 1825. Everyone carries and shoots cap lock (percussion lock) pistols ,rifles and muskets. Although percussion lock was invented about that time,but was not in widespread use until about 1840. Flintlock guns were the weapons of that era.
- Crazy creditsAfter the introductory credits there is a note 'for my father'.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Siskel & Ebert: The Worst Films of 1988 (1989)
Featured review
Most historians doubt the Thuggee or any kind of cult like it existed at all. For one thing, most of the criminals executed as Thuggee were Muslim, not Hindu, and would not have worshipped a Hindu goddess, Kali.
Most of the claims came from criminals turning on each other. British paranoia and fear of cultures they didn't understand likely invented the whole idea of a cult of murderers and robbers.
So the whole story is based on white Europeans letting their fear of brown people go crazy. But is it a good film?
In parts. If you just want a film that's part crime story and part horror, the murder and robbery scenes do that kind of well.
But in between the film rambles on and on. Brosnan is overwrought all the time, even when not needed. He's become a much better actor since then, but back then was amateurish.
And who thought it was at all believable he could smear on mud and pass for Indian? Add to that giving him a fake fuzzy beard instead of just letting his actual beard grow. He looks like what he is, white European guy in a turban.
Points only for correct period costumes.
Most of the claims came from criminals turning on each other. British paranoia and fear of cultures they didn't understand likely invented the whole idea of a cult of murderers and robbers.
So the whole story is based on white Europeans letting their fear of brown people go crazy. But is it a good film?
In parts. If you just want a film that's part crime story and part horror, the murder and robbery scenes do that kind of well.
But in between the film rambles on and on. Brosnan is overwrought all the time, even when not needed. He's become a much better actor since then, but back then was amateurish.
And who thought it was at all believable he could smear on mud and pass for Indian? Add to that giving him a fake fuzzy beard instead of just letting his actual beard grow. He looks like what he is, white European guy in a turban.
Points only for correct period costumes.
- reymunpadilla
- Nov 29, 2023
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- Das Geheimnis der Ritualmorde
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $346,297
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $18,245
- Sep 5, 1988
- Gross worldwide
- $346,297
- Runtime1 hour 42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.75 : 1
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