Film Review: The Deceivers (1988)

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(source: tmdb.org)

Centuries when India used to be the jewel in the crown of British Empire brought not only immense riches to British at the expense of Indians, but also inspired many popular works of fiction, first in English literature and, later, on the silver screen. One of the more interesting episodes from that period, responsible for the word “thug” entering English language, is a subject of The Deceivers, 1988 period adventure film directed by Nicholas Meyer.

The film is based on the eponymous novel by John Masters, loosely inspired by the real life work of William Henry Sleeman, British colonial administrator responsible for eradication of what some historians believe to be the deadliest criminal organisation in world’s history. The plot begins in 1825 when Captain William Savage (played by Pierce Brosnan) is appointed by British East India Company to administer one district under its rule. Although Colonel Wilson (played by Keith Mitchell), his superior and father-in-law, expects him to simply collect taxes and leave native people to their own devices, Savage is kind-hearted man who feel responsibility for people under his jurisdiction. When he learns that a Hindu woman (played by Neena Gupta) wants to perform sati or ritual widow’s self-immolation believing that her missing husband is dead, he decides to prevent it by impersonating him from a distance. His newly-found talent for impersonating Indians becomes quite useful after he accidentally stumbles on mass murder of travelling merchants. Perpetrators are Thuggees or “deceivers”, gang of robbers specialised into infiltrating trade caravans and killing people after earning their trust. The gang has been operating for centuries, maintaining strong code of silence and practising rituals based on worship of goddess Kali. Savage is determined to bring them to justice, but his superiors don’t believe his findings. In order to get the proper evidence, he turns Hussein (played by Saeed Jaffrey), captured Thugee into informer and later uses his help to infiltrate Thuggee group led by Ferengea (played by Tariq Yunus). There Savage gradually becomes engrossed in Thuggee lifestyle, while his life becomes endangered due to Thuggees having informers and helpers everywhere, even within ranks of Company’s staff.

The Deceivers is a relatively obscure film, at least considering many respectable names behind the cameras. It was produced by Ismail Merchant, renowned Indian film maker known as the founder of Merchant Ivory Productions, studio that made prestigious and awarded period dramas. Director was Nicholas Meyer, American film responsible for best Star Trek film ever made, but his filmography also included some unusual period pieces. Screenwriter Michael Hirst also made his name in period dramas, although that would come only decades later, with television series like The Tudors and Vikings. Their work here represent decent old school adventure epic, which puts authentic Indian locations, as well as local cast, to good use. Relatively high budget can be seen in colourful period uniforms and elaborate costumes, interesting production design and many impressive mass scenes. However, Meyer is more interested in the plot and directs The Deceivers as combination of thriller and horror. Even seemingly redundant romantic subplot dealing with Savage’s wife (played by Helena Michell, daughter of her on-screen father Keith Mitchell) is put good use in psychedelic scene when protagonist hallucinates after being consummating “sacred sugar” during the ritual.

The cast is quite solid. Pierce Brosnan, who was starring in Remington Steele at the time and missed his first chance to play James Bond, is convincing both as British officer and as British officer trying to pass as an ordinary Indian. Saeed Jaffrey, Indian actor best known for his role in John Huston’s underrated The Man Who Would Be King is also quite good as Savage’s ally and mentor. Composer John Scott delivers a solid musical score, which helps film retaining its “old school” character.

The main problem for The Deceivers is the ending. Some of the plot twists are simply too convenient (and not particularly believable), while the actual finale, where the cavalry, like in the old westerns, comes to the rescue, looks too much like deus ex machina. On the other hand, Hirst manages to, certain degree, to escape some traps that would doom The Deceivers in our woke times. Eradication of Thuggees was often used as justification of British rule over India, and some modern scholars today tend to disregard it as pure fiction for the purpose of imperialist and racist propaganda. Hirst gives more nuanced approach in the scene that suggests that at least some British officials, like the one played by David Robb, knew about Thuggees and their activities but chose to look the other way in exchange for “piece of the action”. Whether you think that The Deceivers is based on actual history and not, at the end of the day you might enjoy it as a good piece of old school film making.

RATING: 6/10 (++)