The Tiger of Eschnapur

Directed by Fritz Lang
Film Movement Classics
1959
101 Minutes
Germany, France, Italy
German, English
Romance, Classics, Thriller
Not Rated

After more than two decades of exile in Hollywood, master filmmaker Fritz Lang triumphantly returned to his native Germany to direct a lavish two-part adventure tale from a story he co-authored almost forty years earlier. Called to India by the Maharajah of Eschnapur, architect Harald Berger (Paul Hubschmid) falls in love with beautiful temple dancer Seetha (Debra Paget), who is promised to the Maharajah. Their betrayal ignites the ruler's wrath, and the lovers are forced to flee into the desert for a series of spectacular adventures. This is the first film in the two-part series (the second is THE INDIAN TOMB).

This film is presented as originally created. It is a product of its time and contains cultural or racial depictions that viewers may find offensive.

Director & Cast

  • Director: Fritz Lang
  • Starring: Debra Paget
  • Starring: Paul Hubschmid
  • Starring: Walther Reyer

Where to Watch

Trailer

Photos

Reviews

  • "A sweeping adventure filled with tigers, snakes, romance and the camp-connoisseur favorite Debra Paget, these two movies marked Lang’s return to German film production after more than two decades in Hollywood, although both were shot and set in India. [M]ore than three hours of expressionistic color and wild plot developments await."
    Ben Kenigsberg, The New York Times
  • "Packed with romance, action and humour, Der Tiger also features some solid performances, especially from Swiss actor Paul Hubschmid, and is an all-round success. "
    Michael Ewins, E-film Blog
  • "[A]n utterly glorious late testimonial and summative work from one of cinema’s titans."
    Roderick Heath, Film Freedonia
  • "It's a clear precursor to the Indiana Jones series, though definitely not as fast-paced. Yet it's perhaps Lang's most open-aired use of color, and wonderful, late-period entertainment. "
    Jeffrey Anderson, Combustible Celluloid