Filmed in 'Strangloscope!' no less 'The Stranglers of Bombay' is a Hammer film directed by their usual director Terence Fisher about the historical Thugee cult in India. People and goods have been going missing from caravan trails and the officers of the East India company are worried. That is Colonel Henderson and the merchants are worried about the goods but Captain Harry Lewis is more worried about the missing people, overwhelmingly Indian. He comes to realise that devotees of the goddess Kali are responsible and begins to track them down. It is an entertaining film that gallops along to a good (but rushed ending) taking in murder, gore, suspense and excitement.
Guy Rolfe is solid as Captain Lewis and George Pastell scarily convincing as the High Priest of Kali. They are supported well by Allan Cuthbertson, Andrew Cruickshank, Jan Holden and Marne Maitland (who actually was born in India.) Splendid support is also given to the frontally blessed Marie Devereux, thankfully. In minor parts are Roger Delgado and Warren Mitchell. Hammer regulars James Bernard provides an excellent musical score and Roy Ashton supplies suitably effective make-up. Good use is made of English locations and perhaps it might have been better in colour? Possibly,
Apparently a few minutes were cut from the film though the 76 minute version I saw was adequate. There is supposedly more of Marie Devereux's heaving bosom and more mongoose/snake footage which is a shame as I think you can never have enough mongoose scenes in a film.
Guy Rolfe is solid as Captain Lewis and George Pastell scarily convincing as the High Priest of Kali. They are supported well by Allan Cuthbertson, Andrew Cruickshank, Jan Holden and Marne Maitland (who actually was born in India.) Splendid support is also given to the frontally blessed Marie Devereux, thankfully. In minor parts are Roger Delgado and Warren Mitchell. Hammer regulars James Bernard provides an excellent musical score and Roy Ashton supplies suitably effective make-up. Good use is made of English locations and perhaps it might have been better in colour? Possibly,
Apparently a few minutes were cut from the film though the 76 minute version I saw was adequate. There is supposedly more of Marie Devereux's heaving bosom and more mongoose/snake footage which is a shame as I think you can never have enough mongoose scenes in a film.