Shalimar

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.

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!

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.

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.