SYNOPSICS
Shalimar (1978) is a Hindi,English movie. Krishna Shah has directed this movie. Dharmendra,Zeenat Aman,Rex Harrison,Sylvia Miles are the starring of this movie. It was released in 1978. Shalimar (1978) is considered one of the best Action,Adventure,Crime movie in India and around the world.
On the run from the police, S.S. Kumar (Dharmendra), a thief, comes across a private invitation to the island of Sir John Locksley (Sir Rex Harrison) addressed to Raja Bahadur Singh (Prem Nath). When the Raja is shot, Kumar takes him to a nearby hospital, dons a Sikh's turban, poses as the Raja's son and goes to the private island of John. Also attending are K.P.W. Iyengar (O.P. Ralhan), Dr. Bukhari (Shammi Kapoor), Colonel Columbus (John Saxon), and Countess Rasmussen (Sylvia Miles). A stunned Kumar finds out that all of these invitees are master criminals and gangsters. Kumar's guise does not fool anyone, including his former sweetheart, Sheila Enders (Zeenat Aman), nevertheless John permits him to stay on, as he feels that Kumar's career, though an amateur, is consistent with those already present. The reason why John has invited them is to find a successor to take his place as he is dying of cancer. He feels that one of his invitees can be trusted to take his place and for this he...
Shalimar (1978) Trailers
Shalimar (1978) Reviews
way ahead of it's times
I would start saying, it was a film too ahead of it's times, when released in India. It was what we have today as Ocean's 11 or 12 or the Italian job. For the fact it flopped in India, is because the majority of the audience saw it go over the top and there was no connectivity with this film.Caper films have never been a forte in 'bollywood', so shah's western influenced ideas did not really go well with the native masses who were more interested in revenge melodramatic dramas, 'dakus','mujras', and 'angry young men'. Looking back, it's definitely a cult film and the Gen today would appreciate shah's efforts more than the Generation of '78.
One of the best from 70s Bollywood
I am so awfully sure that for anyone caring for the art of cinema in its qualities of western standards or the overall universal technical values, this movie is an example of "A guide of what NOT to do for a respectable movie"... But its charm (as one commenter puts: "..It's a bad movie but I can't help liking it...") lies somewhere else. I must say I was surprised to find out that it didn't do well in India when it hit the theaters but that flopping may happen to any "big budget" movie anywhere anytime.. I also agree that Dharmendra and especially Zeenat Aman could have been performing much better or the Holly-Bolly partnership could be taken to a more qualified level. But this movie is like a showcase of what could be done within limits of a status-quotic cheesy-commercial cinema and utilising what's at hand in high quality. Despite its flaws, each and every moment is fun and as with all "bad but great" movies, technical or artistic flaws actually add rather than deduct from the film's value! It's one of my faves from 70s Bollywood and from many points, it really has its great moments. Never approach with cinematic excellency of Western values; nor it is too much typically Bollywood'ish either. Somewhere between the lines and hauntingly captivating and fuuuuun!
THE ORIGINAL Indian CULT film!
Here it is, India's first and greatest cult film! It's a great film no doubt but it has some really bizarre stuff that has to be seen to be believed!! The tribal dance by the sea is a real treat! The resurrection of Colombo is incredible! The songs by the incomparable R.D. Burman are fabulous and so is the haunting background score, some of which is available on the CD release of the music. The roles of John Saxon and Sylvia Miles are unforgettable. The film itself suffered badly at the box office when it first came out due to over-hype and the fact that the main theme of the film didn't connect with the masses - lack of nativity. Folks, do yourself a favor right now! Rent this film and watch it. It is unlike any Bollywood film you'll ever see.
the great entertainer
i think that this film is a entertainer.It makes you cry.laugh and makes you think what will happen next.The great Mr Dharmendra was the best but i don't understand is that why did this film do so bad at the box office? and why Mr Dharmendra never signed for a western film again.The songs were also good like 'Hum Bewafaa' was good, the film was also made in English to but voices were dumbed over and the film opens with a good scene.I didn't not know that this film was produced by Hollywood and Bollywood and after this film they never did that again because it was a disaster at the box office but some people still think that they should make more films like this.The main credit for this film goes to both Dharamendra and Rex Harrison who both did a great so BRAVO!!!
Enjoyable caper movie
An interesting blend of Western and Indian filmmaking, "Shalimar" (a.k.a. "The Deadly Thief," the title under which I saw it) is a light, undemanding piece of entertainment. Director Krishna Shah demonstrates a great deal of visual flair (particularly during the final jewel-theft sequence, which I can't describe more fully for fear of giving it away). The entire cast is appealing, especially Rex Harrison as the suave, manipulative host, and John Saxon as a mute master thief. The movie's weak point, in terms of plausibility, is the miscasting of the gifted but ungainly Sylvia Miles as a tightrope walker/acrobat. (The cuts to her stunt double during the action sequences are among the most obvious, unconvincing substitutions I've ever seen.) However, the vivacious Miles has such fun with the role that this flaw can be overlooked.