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A movie which was ahead of its time and did not make sense to most of those who saw it. It seemed an ambitious project.

You cannot help but marvel at what was tried. In comparison the latest technology the film might seem shoddy but in the end you cannot help but admire the whole team for giving it a shot.

The Indian actors have done a a good job. At times the fact that the foreign actors dialogs are not in sync (because they are actually speaking in English) is a minor irritant.

The music by RD Burman is classic and can be played and hummed today and for years to come.

The action is also good but not typical Hindi film action which is nice change.

Recommended for one viewing.

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.

Let's not beat around the bush: this is a bad film.

The storyline is frankly weird, the pacing is choppy, the cinematographic style is erratic, and the film generally bears all the hallmarks of the Asian film genre - that is, it was obviously produced for an uncritical audience.

All the same, there is something oddly appealing about it. The sheer awfulness of the acting and the script fade into the background as one is dragged, almost against one's will, into the film's Dungeons-and-Dragons-like storyline.

Camp, curious, captivating. I can't help but like it, in spite of myself.

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.

I watched this movie in 1978, and watched it again after 33 years. The reason being, I read somewhere that the movie flopped because it was ahead of its time. But I can guarantee it that if this movie was made today with special effects and all it would still be a disaster. The reason being that it was an amateurish attempt by an NRI (Krishna Shah) who thought he would ape a Hollywood movie for the Indian public. He failed miserably on many levels. Firstly the casting was pathetic. Shammi Kapoor, O.P. Ralhan, a has been Hollywood actor like Rex Harrison, and a one movie wonder ("Enter the Dragon")John Saxon and some old hag Slyvia Miles who nobody's heard of. The dubbing of Rex Harrison by Kader Khan was poor because Rex's expression while delivering the dialogues are cardboard like and detached. The storyline is paper thin and holes start showing up in it very early in the movie. Zeenat Aman's acting at best could be described as erratic. The only bright spots in this movie were the songs.But all in all a forgetful experience. If someone hasn't seen this fiasco believe me you are better off than some of us unfortunate souls.

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!

Anything with Rex Harrison is always worth a look, even teamed with a few C-List semi-stars of yesteryear (John Saxon is still soldiering on today!), but this co-production with major Bollywood names (in India Dharmendra, Zeenat Aman were billed above Harrison) is particularly interesting as a not-half-bad attempt to blend the Indian and U.S. film industries in an only slightly schlock caper film (the copy-cat "American" title, "RAIDERS OF THE SACRED STONE," pretty well telegraphs the schlock part - the original "SHALIMAR" is more honest if slightly less illuminating) about a Master Thief who claims to be dying and brings together his chief rivals in a lethal contest to see who deserves the title of "World's Greatest...". The goal and "reward" (in additional to the title) is a super gem (it looks like an enormous sugar candy faux jewel) guarded by impossible technology and disposable but murderously dedicated mute guards, every one of whom owe their lives to Harrison. As far as actually cracking the commercial U.S. film market, the effort was not markedly successful (the film apparently tanked in India and the IMDb doesn't even show a U.S. release date! ...the American title pretty much assured that even if the quality of the script didn't) but if you're in the mood for one of those films all about how the director/script writer can kill off the next Indian S.A.G. member in new and imaginative ways (a sort of 10 LITTLE INDIANS with real Indians) and finding out if the sort-of-cute possible romantic lead will value the girl more than the race or get away in the end (the film tries for as many twists as Agatha Christie engineered into her real masterpiece, WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION so it isn't over when it looks like it might be) this might fit the bill on a rainy Saturday or even Sunday afternoon. Not really good, but not quite painful. You've sat through far worse, and even a Rex on the wane is better than no Rex at all.

Rating

3/10

Big budget Bollywood-Hollywood adventure film is a colossal misfire. One of those 'what were they thinking' films that is so bad that it becomes unintentionally hilarious. The storyline isn't that bad but the production is mostly very shoddy. Action scenes are dull. Embarrassing dances by tribals badly date the film. Rex Harrison appears mildly disinterested. Dharamendra doesn't have a lot to do.

Avoidable

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 Entire movie there seemed to be only 1 actor with proper emotions & that happens to be of Dharmendra. Rex Harrison who is a Hollywood big wig was no where near Dharmendra's ability, even a "C" grade villain of Bollywood would have acted better, Deepak Shirke would have acted better. Poor Shammi Kapoor was wasted, Zeenat had not much role, John acted as a dumb man so his ability to express was cut off. The countess's role whoever played was the worst of all.

When Bollywood actors act in Hollywood movies they easily overshadow the famed Hollywood actors because the facial expressions are lot more & the ability to give dialogues is also better. Dharmendra has not won any filmfare award in India is because he is himself a 2nd grade hero, had it been the Mighty Amitabh Bachchan or Rajesh Khanna this movie would have been even more watchable & it would have been a big hit too. The entire movie would have been even one sided against the Hollywood stars.

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!!!

We were required to see this film by our college professor.

After watching this film... I can only conclude... that this is one of the great films made in India. It is a mere classic! It has been made with combined great performances by both Hollywood and Bollywood stars, making the film one of a kind.

If you haven't watched this film I wholeheartedly recommend you to. I give it a 10/10 rating!

This is an absolutely splendid film!!!

Not only because this is a Hollywood and Bollywood joint venture film but also because the acting of all the star cast is great.

I especially liked Rex Harrison, Dharmendra, John Saxon, and Zeenat Aman's performances. The flair of their acting seemed so natural which led me to get engrossed in the film. This is very uncommon for me.

The song: "Mera pyar Shalimar" also has a very good soundtrack and is great to listen.

If you are doing nothing on the weekend, I suggest you visit a nearby video store to rent this video. You will just enjoy it!!!

Shalimar was the time thriller of those time,the entire box office was filled with youngsters,still remember that my uncle was the major person who sold the tickets for the public!