Maharajah Conrad Veidt hires a German architect to design a beautiful tomb for his wife. She isn’t actually dead yet.
The Maharajah only has one tiger pit, you see, and they need time to digest her boyfriend. Do you think a maharajah is made of tiger pits? The pace is stately (that’s critic speak for on the slow side but good) and the scenery is first rate.
Orientalism German-style but Veidt electrifies.
How does it end? Hover or tap below for a spoiler.
Veidt pursues his wife but she commits suicide. Overwhelmed by grief and guilt, he renounces the throne.Read my full-length review here. I also cover Fritz Lang’s talkie remake.
If it were a dessert it would be: Licorice Caramels. Meant to be savored and not to everyone’s taste but for me, yum!
Availability:Released on DVD but, alas, out of print.
Movies Silently 
Love the first two sentences of your review! Classic example of dry wit – you must have some British blood in you.
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I have this film on DVD and although it’s a Joe May film with Conrad starring, I think it’s going to still be a while before I set my mind to watching it. Still, thanks for the reminder 🙂
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I had the same dilemma. I originally taped The Indian Tomb off TCM and really wanted to get to it, but had trouble carving out a chunk of time to watch it. Finally, I had a whole Sunday afternoon with nothing else to do, and said to myself, “This is the day.” I sat down to watch, and I didn’t get up for the whole 4 hours, not even for a bathroom break. The Indian Tomb transported me to a place and time like no other silent film I’ve seen before or since. Unique and unforgettable.
Yes, it’s such an experience.
Everything I read about this film makes me ache to see it. I have been a big fan of Conrad Veidt since I saw him in The Thief of Baghdad more than fifty years ago.
The problem is money! I can’t justify paying the prices asked on the internet; maybe I’ll put it on my next landmark birthday list!!
Yes, I wish it would be reissued.
Adore this film – you’ve reminded me to watch it again!
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About a year ago I picked up a decent print from Zeus DVD at a very modest price. I realize this is a vexed issue & when I can, I patronize less suspect sources. But I have to say, in the same order I also acquired the great 1929 “Four Feathers,” available no where else so far as I can tell. So what’s a collector to do? I know, some would say “without.”
SO I AM NOT SHILLING for this company. I’ve been waiting four months for my last order, with no responses to emails. I have filed negative reviews on them & have resolved never to order from them again. Caveat emptor!
When a film is out of print or otherwise unavailable, I don’t generally make judgments on how it is obtained. In any case, I would say that lower quality versions keep the flames burning for more obscure titles. I have the Grapevine DVD and Bluray of The Last Performance and I now am going to buy the new restoration being released by Flicker Alley and I know several collectors who plan to do the same.
Found the Image DVD at a local film festival for $25!!! Lucked out! Also bought some “gray market” stuff that doesn’t seem to be available anywhere else.
Yay! Congrats!