The Deceivers (1988)

Fact-based account of a secret society of murderers, and of the man who exposed them in British India 1825.

Director:

Nicholas Meyer

Writers:

John Masters (novel), Michael Hirst (screenplay)

Stars:

Pierce Brosnan, Shashi Kapoor, Saeed Jaffrey

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Pierce Brosnan	...	William Savage
Shashi Kapoor	...	Raja Chandra Singh
Saeed Jaffrey	...	Hussein
Helena Michell	...	Sarah Wilson
Keith Michell	...	Colonel Wilson
David Robb	...	George Anglesmith
Tariq Yunus	...	Feringea
Jalal Agha	...	The Nawab
Gary Cady	...	Lt. Maunsell
Salim Ghouse	...	Piroo
Neena Gupta	...	Gopal's Wife
Nayeem Hafizka	...	Sepoy
Bijaya Jena	...	Harlot (as Bijoya Jena)
H.N. Kalla	...	The Nawab Servant
Kammo	...	Official

Storyline

In 1825, India lives under fear. A mysterious religion's followers murder everyone that stands against their plans. When William Savage, a tax-collector of a British-Indian company, discovers the sect and decides to solve the mystery...

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Plot Keywords:

british | india | hindu | tiger | muslim | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Official Sites:

Merchant Ivory Productions [us]

Country:

India UK

Language:

English Hindi Sanskrit Rajasthani

Release Date:

2 September 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Al filo del engaño

Filming Locations:

India

Box Office

Gross:

$346,297 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Merchant Ivory Productions, Michael White Productions, Cinecom Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Real-life father and daughter Keith Michell and Helena Michell play father and daughter here.

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Crazy Credits

After the introductory credits there is a note 'for my father'.

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Connections

Featured in The City of Your Final Destination (2009)

User Reviews

Thugs and Thuggees

Our English word 'thug' comes from a Hindi word, 'thag,' as we often see it transliterated as 'thuggee.' The thuggees were a secret cult of assassins/robbers who preyed on wealthy travelers, usually in the months of October. It was (or still is, as some claim) an ancient order which preceded the Islamic invasion of India and which also included Muslims in its ranks. The thuggees worshiped Kali, the consort of Shiva, (or Siva) the destroyer, one of the three gods in the Hindu Trimurti or trinity (the other two being Brahmin and Vishnu). This film which is based on a fictional account of a British officer who inflitrates the cult by disguising himself as a thuggee and eventually comes to be the one who destroy it. The allusion to being based on real life events, of course, adds to the mystery and allure of this film's exotic setting. A young pre-James Bond Pierce Brosnan is the central character and is aided by the Indian veteran character actor, Saeed Jaffery. Add to that, the presence of Australian actor, Keith Michell, his attractive daughter, Helena, a face frequently seen as a supporting actor, David Robb, as the Gentleman cad, and a large cast of Indian actors that are seen in Indian films, and you have the cast. The scenery is most interesting as it was shot on location in India and shows the countryside not as a jungle, as many think of India. Historically, the East India Company which was exploiting the natural resources of India for their own colonial interests, was underwritten by the English government and the British Army was providing the administrative services. The story of this film, based on the investigations of the colonial administrator, Sir. W.H. Sleeman who eventually uprooted the Thuggee cult, took place before the Sepoy uprising in the 1840's.

This is not a bad film and maintains high level of tension. I found it entertaining and interesting and recommend it.