It's too bad that the aging Sabu wasn't called to play the Elephant boy once again in this strange adventure that focuses on the evil doings of a group of fire god worshipers who create all sorts of havoc through murder and burning the land. Even at 30, he would be better cast than Nino Marcel, the actor cast in roles Sabu excelled in throughout the late 1930's and 40's. Mostly Caucasian actors (the bulk of them of British decent) play the assorted Indian characters, with even June Foray of "Rocky" fame (Bullwinkle's squirrel that is) in a rare acting role as the villainess High Priestess who wears more make-up than Tammy Faye Baker to make her appear to be Indian. Tons of stock footage is mixed in to add "authenticity" to the story, and does add an interesting element to the silly story. With a ridiculous mustache, horror legend Boris Karloff looks absolutely absurd as a general, and Lou Krugman is laughable as the Maharajah.
This is also a surprisingly violent film, showing victims of the fire god's followers being stalked by cobras, being speared, and being burnt to death. What makes it clear that this was definitely influenced by the classic "Jungle Book" is the presence of a tiger who is a childhood friend of the young hero's, as well as a flock of elephants (including some adorable babies) and a few monkeys. The stampede of the various wild animals caught in the fire is well filmed, and the stock footage looks pretty much like the footage shot for the story. Shots of the stock footage of a military parade going by goes on a little bit too long and fortunately on DVD can be fast-forwarded.
This is also a surprisingly violent film, showing victims of the fire god's followers being stalked by cobras, being speared, and being burnt to death. What makes it clear that this was definitely influenced by the classic "Jungle Book" is the presence of a tiger who is a childhood friend of the young hero's, as well as a flock of elephants (including some adorable babies) and a few monkeys. The stampede of the various wild animals caught in the fire is well filmed, and the stock footage looks pretty much like the footage shot for the story. Shots of the stock footage of a military parade going by goes on a little bit too long and fortunately on DVD can be fast-forwarded.