Throw of the Dice (1929)
"Prapancha Pash" (original title)

Two rival kings addicted to gambling, Ranjit (Roy) and the evil Sohan (Rai), also vie for the same woman, Sunita (Seeta Devi), Kanwa the hermit's (Gupta) daughter. Ranjit loses his kingdom ... See full summary »

Director:

Franz Osten

Writers:

Niranjan Pal (story), W.A. Burton (scenario),

Stars:

Seeta Devi, Himansu Rai, Charu Roy

Cast

Cast overview:
Seeta Devi	...	Sunita
Himansu Rai	...	King Sohat
Charu Roy	...	King Ranjit
Modhu Bose	...	Kirkbar, King Sohat's Henchman
Sarada Gupta	...	Kanwa, Sunita's Father, the Hermit
Tincory Chakrabarty	...	Kanzler Raghunath
Lala Bijoykishen	...	Raghunaths Sohn Beerbal

Storyline

Two rival kings addicted to gambling, Ranjit (Roy) and the evil Sohan (Rai), also vie for the same woman, Sunita (Seeta Devi), Kanwa the hermit's (Gupta) daughter. Ranjit loses his kingdom and his love and becomes Sohan's slave through a crooked game of dice.

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

UK India Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 January 1930 (USA)

Also Known As:

Throw of the Dice

Filming Locations:

Ajmer, Rajhastan, India

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Instructional Films (BIF), Eye 4 Films, Himansu Rai Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

74 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film includes the first kiss in an Indian movie.

User Reviews

Holds up well for a silent flick

Actors & Actresses from the silent movie era tend to overact by today's standards but the acting in this sweet little movie is commendably restrained especially for an "action/suspense type movie.

The story is of two Indian kings, both avid gamblers who both fall for the same woman played by a functionally beautiful Seeta Devi. One of the kings has been secretly plotting to assassinate the other and take over his kingdom but his first attempt only wounds him. He is nursed by health by Sunita (Devi) & her father who is a man of medicine who has previously left the kings court to live in the forest because he is put off by the gambling.

The entry of Sunita onto the scene escalates the stakes as the evil king uses various methods to eliminate the other & not only take his kingdom but take Sunita as well.

The story is nothing special but as I said before the acting is reserved for a silent picture. Devi in particular is able to convey her feelings with a simple look or facial expression, an excellent display of subtle acting far different from the usual histrionics that you'd usually see from actresses at this time.

Look for some excellent camera work at the beginning showing some of the local wildlife.