THE INDIAN TOMB (1921) On Blu-ray From Kino

 

Another German silent epic gets the Region A Blu-ray treatment from Kino Lorber. This time it's the 1921 two-part exotic adventure tale THE INDIAN TOMB (original title DIE INDISCHE GRABMAL), written by Thea von Harbou and Fritz Lang, and directed by Joe May. 

Distinguished English architect Herbert Rowland (Olaf Fonss) is summoned to India by a mysterious yoghi (Bernard Goetzke) to build a magnificent tomb for a powerful prince (Conrad Veidt). Due to the prince's orders, Rowland must leave immediately, and without telling his fiancee Irene (Mia May). The courageous Irene decides to seek out Herbert, while the architect finds out that the tomb is meant for a woman who is still alive--the prince's unfaithful wife. Herbert is aghast at this information, while the prince plots to kill his wife's lover, an English officer. Irene arrives at the prince's palace, only to attract the ardor of her host. Herbert and Irene go through various complications while trying to avoid the wrath of the prince and save the doomed princess. 

THE INDIAN TOMB is a four-hour spectacular, divided into two parts: THE MISSION OF THE YOGI and THE TIGER OF ESCHNAPUR. It was perhaps the most expensive movie ever made in Germany at the time, and the sets, production design, and costumes are quite eye-catching, despite the fact that not one scene was actually filmed in India. 

The production, however, is not a rip-roaring action-filled tale. Both parts have a very stately pace to them, with many characters slowly moving about as in a trance. (In the first part of the story, it takes about an hour for Herbert Rowland to arrive in India.) Fritz Lang, who was working for Joe May's production company, was hoping to direct the film himself, but May decided to take up the reins. (Lang, who never forgave May for this action, would remake both parts of the film in the late 1950s.) If Lang had directed, there's no doubt he would have injected much more energy into the proceedings. 

Nevertheless, THE INDIAN TOMB has plenty of highlights and striking compositions. There's a creepy cave filled with penitents physically abusing themselves, a courtyard of lepers, a tiger pit, and a climax involving a rickety rope bridge over a deep chasm. There's also a supernatural element to the story with the character of Bernard Goetzke's yoghi, who has a number of out-of-body abilities. 

Olaf Fonss and Mia May (the director's wife) are okay as the supposed heroes, but their characters seem to spend more time blundering into one dangerous situation after another instead of making a major impact on the plot. Fonss and May certainly can't compete with Conrad Veidt, who as expected dominates every scene he's in. The intense glares of Veidt and Bernard Goetzke are by far the best special effects in the film. Lya de Putti, who would become a major star later in the decade, plays the princess' maid and confidant, and she gets as much screen time as Erna Moerna, who plays the princess. 

The print used on this Kino Blu-ray comes from a recent restoration, and while it looks fine, I don't think the visuals are as exemplary as other silent German releases from the same company. (It must be pointed out that this is a 100 year old film.) The print is heavily tinted, and the uncanny music score is provided by Irena and Vojtech Havlovi (there are times when I felt the weirdness of the music intruded on the visuals). 

The only extra is a very interesting 45 min. featurette by David Cairns and Fiona Watson examining the making of the film, and Thea von Harbou's obsession with India. Unfortunately there is not an audio commentary, and this is definitely a home video release that deserves one. 

I had never seen the 1921 THE INDIAN TOMB, but I was aware of its reputation. It has a number of impressive aspects to it, and Conrad Veidt fans will certainly appreciate it--but I feel that one must have a lot of patience while watching it. I own Fritz Lang's 1959 remake on Blu-ray, and I have to say I prefer that version (there was also a German remake of the story during the Nazi era that I have not seen.) The Lang version had the advantages of being in color, location shooting in India...and Debra Paget. It also steered away from the supernatural aspects of the 1921 version, and added more action and intrigue. The 1921 version is still worth the time of any hardcore silent film buff.