The Stranglers of Bombay (1959)

In the 1830s, a captain in the East India Company lobbies to investigate the criminal Thugee Cult of Kali, an organized crime group of stranglers and thieves.

Director:

Terence Fisher

Writer:

David Zelag Goodman (as David Z. Goodman)

Stars:

Guy Rolfe, Allan Cuthbertson, Andrew Cruickshank

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Guy Rolfe	...	Capt. Harry Lewis
Allan Cuthbertson	...	Capt. Christopher Connaught-Smith
Andrew Cruickshank	...	Col. Henderson
George Pastell	...	High Priest of Kali
Marne Maitland	...	Patel Shari
Jan Holden	...	Mary Lewis
Paul Stassino	...	Lt. Silver
Tutte Lemkow	...	Ram Das

Storyline

A murderous religious cult is way-laying travellers and stealing goods in nineteenth century India. As the disappearances mount and trade becomes difficult, the British East India Company is forced to act. But they give the job to an upper-class officer completely out-of-touch with the country rather than the obvious candidate who has been in India for years and well understands the people and culture.

---

Plot Keywords:

psychotronic film | reference to kali the hindu deity | india | cult | thuggee | 

---

Taglines:

Murder Cult Terror In Exotic Asia

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | History | Horror

---

Did You Know?

Trivia

The military men of the story are not part of the British army but the East India Co., a private concern that virtually ruled India for two centuries. With roots in the 16th century, the company was granted a monopoly from 1708 to 1857, when it became the largest global trader in the world, dealing in cotton, silk, indigo and even opium.

---

Goofs

When Captain Lewis is tied to the ground, a reflection is visible between him and the cobra, revealing that a pane of glass separates them.

---

Quotes

Capt. Christopher Connaught-Smith: [Interrogating witness through translator] Now tell him that no one can live anywhere for 40 years without seeing a great deal. What has he seen?
[the translator confers with the witness]
Capt. Christopher Connaught-Smith: [Impatiently] Well?
Translator: He says he has seen 40 harvests and 160 changes of season.

---

Alternate Versions

Shots of Marie Devereux reacting excitedly to the mutilation of Thuggee victims were cut for the U.S. release.

---

Connections

Featured in Aweful Movies with Deadly Earnest: The Stranglers of Bombay (1970)

User Reviews

Tense and gripping 60's flick

Great directing enhance this tense film about a religious cult who go around murdering and stealing just for the sheer pleasure of it. Even for our times it is still an interesting and gripping horror film. Guy Rolfe (as tall as ever) did a remarkable job of the dedicated soldier who no one will listen too. Lots of fun.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 1960 (USA)

Also Known As:

Los estranguladores de Bombay

Filming Locations:

Bray Studios, Down Place, Oakley Green, Berkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hammer Films, Kenneth Hyman

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1