- What's wrong? - It's the hour of the tiger.
- A man-eater? - A demon, a thing of evil.
He's attacked over two dozen people.
Bring her over here.
The trees bent their branches over the path.
Shiny fruit was hanging from them, made of precious...
Don't. Stop it.
- Which of us shall it be? - Don't.
- Leave me alone. - Too good for us, are you?
Give me the pail. Give it to me!
Don't bother with the water.
Thank you, sahib.
Hey, what are you doing with my toothpaste?
Give it to me!
It doesn't taste good. Come on now.
That's better.
Good evening.
My name is Harald Berger.
I'm going to Eschnapur to work on some building projects...
hospitals, schools and so on.
I want to thank you, sahib.
You protected my servant Bharani
from the impudent soldiers.
She just wanted some water for the frangipani blossoms.
May the gods give you a bowl of water
at an hour of great thirst.
Good night.
Dara!
Dara! Dara! Come here!
Come here! Dara! Dara! Come here!
The tiger must be...
They say the tiger has eaten many people.
If you're going to Eschnapur, it's wise to go together.
It's still a day's journey from here.
Rarely have I seen so strong a man.
A six-man escort. Quite an honor for a dancer.
It's because of the tiger.
They say it has a murderer's spirit.
Here they come!
We'll water the horses. It's the last waterhole.
Good. Thank you.
Bharani, go and tell the ox-drivers to hurry.
Yes, mistress.
Are you hurt?
It was a miracle, sahib.
- Tigers are scared of fire. - It was a miracle.
I saw two tigers fighting each other.
They were fighting over me. For my life.
You know, sahib, you're part of India now.
And the other tiger?
The other tiger is the other India.
The Maharani's death has affected Chandra strangely.
- Is he still mourning her? - I don't think so.
He should have cared for my sister better.
What's this about a dancer from the South?
He saw her in the temple of Benares.
He's been searching for her.
The temple priests think
the Prince's thoughts are too often in foreign worlds
since he went to Europe.
He has his own ideas on how to serve his people.
I don't like Chandra's Western ideas.
Do you, Ramigani?
I do not rule Eschnapur, Prince Padhu.
I am just my brother's servant.
He is a good prince.
But many people think it was wrong to pass you over in the succession.
- You are older. - Bhowana is right.
The priests are upset
that Prince Chandra has asked the Europeans here.
My brother-in-law is in charge of the project.
He's joining me later.
Have you been to Europe?
Your gods are not worshipped through dance.
I would be out of place.
I'd like to see you dance.
Foreigners are not allowed in our temples.
How about outside the temple?
I'm the Maharaja's guest.
The guards at the city gates
report the arrival of the foreigner.
I'd hoped that as a guest of the Maharaja
you'd be in the palace near me.
I shall always think of you with gratitude, sahib.
Gratitude!
I hope you'll remember me
for something other than a burning branch and a tiger.
May I visit you?
This is an inn, sahib.
I'm sure it's open to the Maharaja's special guests.
Memsahib.
- Welcome to Eschnapur. - Did the Maharaja send you?
No. Prince Ramigani, the Prince's brother,
sent me 1.10 escort YOU.
Ramigani,
I was waiting for other guests.
This is new to me, Chandra.
Didn't you say that Mr Rhode should stay in Calcutta
until the preparations were complete?
Welcome to Eschnapur.
Thank you.
This reception is a great honor for a man who can only do his best.
That is a great deal.
In Europe I saw what you and Mr Rhode have built.
Your people say "Make yourself at home."
I doubt that you could here. You'd need an Indian soul.
So I shall say "May you be happy in Eschnapur."
Thank you, Your Highness.
You'll be living and working here for a long time.
Arrange everything as you wish.
There can be no carpets on account of the cobras.
Yes, you're in India now.
I hope you'll feel comfortable here.
This is your workroom.
- Are the models in there? - I think so.
Yes, it's the models.
When can I show them to you?
- There's plenty of time. - For a project like this?
What is time in the lifespan of the world?
What is an hour in the stream of eternity?
I'm European, Your Highness. We count in hours.
You must be tired, Mr Berger. Good night.
Good night, Your Highness.
A pity to damage this beautiful model.
I was tempted to open the crates
though it would have been improper.
I could have closed them without a mark.
I learned that in Europe.
- Thank you, Mr... - Asagara, sahib.
I've been asked to assist you.
I studied architecture in Berlin and Paris.
His Highness thinks I may be of use.
I'm delighted.
Your support will be invaluable.
I can't begin properly until Mr Rhode arrives.
His Highness is worried about the condition of the palace.
The foundations have been shifting.
The palace was built on top of old Mughal passages.
Water has come in and the walls have cracks.
We'll inspect it tomorrow.
Today I want to see the town.
Stop. The tabla sets the tempo, not you.
Two tabla beats and then you come in...
The tabla speeds up and you follow the tempo.
May I?
At first just strum, then play a double-stop.
So you don't go against the rhythm. Let's try again.
One, two, three, four.
One...two...three...four. Good.
Mistress, the foreign sahib is here to see you.
That's enough for today. Thank you.
- Show him in, Bharani. - Yes.
Good morning.
I wanted to see where you're staying.
Did you sleep well?
How did you find me so quickly?
I noted every street, house and stone
between here and the palace.
- You know that tune? - My father used to sing it.
There used to be words too...
but I've forgotten them.
It's an Irish folk song.
The lasses who go to the well
only think of Pat.
The lasses who stand at the well
and see themselves reï¬‚ected there
only wait for Pat.
Pat Murphy lies in a watery grave
and yearning is in vain.
The lasses who go to the shore
and keep a watch for distant sail
only hope for him.
Only hope for him.
Sahib, I've found the words again.
But it's an Irish folk song.
Seetha, who was your father?
My origins are obscure and shadowy
like the nights of the moon goddess.
I was very young when my parents died.
The priests raised me.
Did your father have a pale face like mine?
I can't remember his face.
I was very ill. We were all ill.
Vultures circled over the houses
and jackals came to the doors.
A lot of people died then. My parents too.
One second. Wait.
This is all I have left. It belonged to my father.
It's a European instrument.
"For Joe from Frank."
"Cambridge, 1800 and..." I can't read it.
Joe?
Joe...
There was a man who used to visit us.
He had red hair and a deep voice.
- I was scared of him. - Go on.
- He called my father Joe. - Your father was European.
Perhaps.
See for yourself... Look at your face.
Is that an Indian face?
Don't be afraid.
It was a stone thrown over the wall, or a fish jumping.
A stone, a fish, or the hand of God...
This is India.
Go now.
And take care.
Why isn't the dancer staying here?
The festival starts tonight. It wasn't worth it.
I hope she'll stay longer.
Are those the soldiers who fled?
Yes, they've been whipped as you ordered.
I wish to speak to you, Chandra.
I care greatly about who takes the Maharani's place.
So do I.
My sister loved you very much.
Speak out, Padhu.
After she died, you spent time in Europe.
I don't want you to bring foreign ways to Eschnapur.
I don't need your advice, Padhu.
Europe did you no good.
You no longer know what is good for your people.
What is to be done with the soldiers, Chandra?
Set them free.
They can thank the gods
the foreigner saved Seetha from the tiger.
His Highness.
Mr Berger, I've only just heard about...
your adventure on the way here.
- You're very brave, Mr Berger. - It was nothing.
I acted instinctively. Tigers fear fire.
An escort of six soldiers fled.
Their horses were frightened.
Will you take this ring as a token of my gratitude?
Your Highness... So precious a jewel?
The life of this woman
is the most precious thing in all India.
What is an emerald in comparison?
Mr Berger, you have won a friend.
I can think of nothing that could destroy our friendship.
Bharani, he can scare a man-eating tiger with only a branch.
A burning branch, mistress.
The flame was tiny. No higher than this...
What tricks our memory plays. I thought it was so high...
So you're the one chosen to dance in the temple?
I am but a humble dancer.
The Maharaja cannot be pleased with me
to place such a task on my frail shoulders.
Prince Chandra may expect more of you.
If you are unsure if your path leads you to the right goal
ask the goddess or her servants.
- How much? - 8 meters 40.
Eight forty.
27 degrees. North-Northwest.
Asagara! The ladder.
And the torch.
How old is all this, Asagara?
It's hard to say.
It probably dates back to the first Mughal Emperor.
There's a lot of water.
We must be very close to the lake.
A secret passage. How mysterious.
- Give me a new torch. - We only have two left.
Scared?
Yes, but it doesn't matter.
We're right next to the temple.
Does a passage connect the palace and the temple?
Sahib...
If a European enters the temple it spells his death.
I'm not going to enter the temple,
but we must chart these underground passages.
Sahib! Please.
All right, you win. I don't want to upset you.
Investigate that passage.
I'll go down this one.
Asagara!
Asagara, who are those creatures?
They are lepers.
Haven't you noticed there are no sick in Eschnapur?
It's to stop them infecting others.
You leave the sick to rot in that hole?
Weren't you brought here to build hospitals?
And the dead guard?
Isn't it more merciful to have a dead man watch over the dying?
I saw the white sahib in the temple.
How could that be?
He stood high above everyone else.
And then the goddess' face darkened.
And when I looked up at him again, he'd gone.
Your thoughts dwell too much on him.
Perhaps.
But it is possible that he was there
and the goddess was protecting him.
A stranger who had invaded our holy temple?
No, mistress. Her face darkened in anger.
My brother the Maharaja is pleased with you.
Your dance gladdened his lonely heart.
It is his wish that you move to the palace,
so you can dance for him.
A palanquin is waiting.
Your Highness...
We have a few humble possessions at the inn...
I've already had them taken to the palace.
- She's left? - I told you, sahib.
For Madras? Or Calcutta? She must have said where.
Where do birds fly?
Where does the wind blow?
Mistress..
It's like a dream.
Do you think it's pure gold, mistress?
I hope you'll feel at home here, Seetha.
Your Highness...
Is this not a mirror?
How lucky he is.
Seetha, there is no cage for you in Eschnapur.
And this is not a chain...
It is but a gift from a man hoping for a woman's love.
You aren't here by chance.
I saw you dance in the Temple of Benares
and I had them look for you.
I won't rush anything.
Haste is a European vice.
Isn't it better to ask a woman than to order her?
Is love not richer coming from the heart,
born of affection and respect?
I could fill this room with pearls, emeralds and rubies
but all that would be nothing compared to how I feel.
Sol lay the most precious gift of all at your feet...
my heart.
One day we will all end up dependent on the foreigners.
It is only my deep concern for Eschnapur
which makes me raise these matters.
Isn't it because you want the throne, Ramigani?
I have long known Prince Ramigani.
His deep love for his brother...
I don't approve of stabbing a prince in the back.
What would you do, Prince?
It is your business, not mine.
He gave the dancer the Maharani's jewels...
the emerald necklace, which she loved so much.
Perhaps she'll reach for her crown soon too.
Defend your dead sister's honor.
Is she to be supplanted by a dancer?
Let us not speak with the tongues of jackals.
There is much discontent in Eschnapur.
Chandra has sent for his foreign devils.
Ramigani wants Chandra's throne.
All that is none of my business.
No, Ramigani.
Do not count on the lances of my soldiers.
If Chandra should ever dare
to tarnish the memory of the Maharani...
then it will be my business.
Prince Padhu is leaving Eschnapur, sahib.
Don't call me "sahib".
We're colleagues. We both studied in Europe.
Thank you, Mr Berger. That's very kind.
Imagine missing the tiger hunt, Padhu.
You're growing old.
You're avoiding danger.
You think you're getting any younger?
You're ignoring the danger.
The festival is over.
The flowers picked for my arrival have wilted.
Follow on.
The German engineer should be here with us,
but he said he was too busy.
We're both grateful to him for saving your life.
- He's a very brave man. - I'm glad he's my friend.
Would you like to travel, Seetha?
To Europe, perhaps?
Europe...
Your Highness... The tiger is in the trap.
Seetha... before sunrise tomorrow
the tiger which terrified you will be laid at your feet.
Europe...
The lasses who stand at the shore...
And keep a watch for distant sails...
Only hope for him.
Your horses are fast, but they must be spared.
We've ridden for 14 hours, often through water.
The shikaris will find us.
They'd need to fly to catch us.
Chandra is crazed with love.
I'm going to teach him a lesson.
You think he'll still want you to take my sister's place
when I send you back
because you're not even good enough for my soldiers?
The horses need at least an hour's rest.
I must have some fun out of this.
Yakmis and Palawar, come here and fight for her.
My best soldiers are fighting for your favors.
Don't you want to watch?
Take her.
Go on.
You must understand. It was just...
Over there lives a holy man who can see into the future.
I want to consult him.
About the future, Your Highness?
I owe you my life. It belongs to you.
I don't want your life. I want your love.
What could the gods tell you, Prince Chandra?
I have known you for so short a while.
Perhaps you're right.
What do the gods know of two people's hearts?
Bharani! I've been looking for you...
- Take me to her. - It's dangerous here.
Follow me.
The rift between the Maharaja and Padhu
suits me well, but it's not enough.
Only if the dancer is crowned, has Chandra lost.
- What can we do? - I can see it...
Outraged soldiers and priests, the gods filled with fury
and the mob angrily tearing down the walls.
It will take a while, but we will get what we want.
Bharani?
She has been crying. She's worried about you.
I'll take you to her.
Seetha.
At last...
You shouldn't have come here.
You don't want me to be in danger,
and I don't want you to be in danger.
I've been looking for you. I had to see you.
And now you've found me.
I want to know what you are.
A guest? The Maharaja's mistress?
A prisoner?
I owe gratitude to the Prince.
- He saved my life. - I know, but only because I...
Sorry. What right has he to ask more than me?
Chandra saved me from more than death.
He doesn't demand. He asks.
What will you reply?
Sahib Berger...
- I am Indian. - You're half European.
Listen to what I'm saying.
For foreigners, India is like an intoxicating drink
but when they leave India
they return to sober reality.
It's like a magic spell that quickly wears off.
Mistress!
It's getting late.
Go now and be patient.
My thoughts are with you.
I'll pray to the gods for you every day at sunset.
If someone picked your most precious bloom
how would you punish them?
Speak plainly.
At night the white sahib crosses the lake
to see the dancer from the South.
You're lying.
Your Highness...
May your sword and the wrath of the gods strike me if I lie.
Who saw them?
The goddess has many eyes
watching over your happiness and that of Eschnapur.
- Morning Asagara. - Good morning.
Here's the letter.
Mr Rhode will want to know the details,
so I need you as messenger.
I want to hold a banquet.
In honor of Seetha and the German engineer.
You pay them a high honor.
Are you implying they're not worthy?
How could I?
Seetha brought a servant to Eschnapur.
I'd like to ask her a few questions.
But it can wait until after the banquet.
That meddlesome priest has been talking.
He's a valuable ally.
He's threatening my plans.
The dancer must not fall from grace with Chandra.
I must prevent my brother
from questioning the servant about the friendship
between the foreigner and the temple dancer.
Mr Asagara, what has happened?
The lady Mr Berger saved from the tiger is a...
a special guest of the Maharaja's.
Mr Berger won His Highness' friendship.
He mustn't lose it.
What is the relationship between my brother and this woman?
He entered the inner temple to see her.
I've not been here long Is that very bad?
Mrs Rhode, Eschnapur is not Calcutta.
One mustn't anger the gods or the Prince.
This doesn't sound good, Mr Asagara.
I still have a few things to do here,
but I think we'd better leave today.
I'm sorry I'm late.
We had problems at the building site.
In Eschnapur you must always expect surprises, Mr Berger.
This is the heart of India.
Ah yes, you know each other.
He should have known there'd be issues.
Of course.
You know each other very well.
I haven't forgotten your feat with the tiger.
You mustn't exaggerate. I was lucky.
May luck never desert you.
You've arrived just in time to see the fakir.
The magic rope.
Come down. Come back.
Come down, I tell you. You won't escape.
Come on, then.
- I'll teach you to obey. - Catch me if you can.
I'll get you.
- Come on, then. - Just you wait.
Come back, I tell you.
Have you seen that before?
I've heard of this trick. It must take years of practice.
Perhaps it's not a trick.
Perhaps it's an illusion or a suggestion of the mind.
I'm not easily taken in by such things.
Really?
Gowardan...
The white sahib doubts the power of the yoga
which gave Gowardan magical skills.
Bharani is slim and supple.
She won't find it unpleasant in the basket.
- Come here. - Your Highness, no...
- Must I? - I'll speak on your behalf.
I beg of you, Your Highness...
Spare my servant Bharani She's terrified.
I don't need any proof.
However it was done, it was magnificent.
Why scare her unnecessarily?
What happens in Eschnapur without my will prevailing?
Nothing.
But servants must obey my brother.
- Go. - Spare her.
Prince Ramigani is only doing this for me...
You're European, Mr Berger.
Your concern for servants is exaggerated.
Ramigani.
Gowardan.
Sorry, Your Highness. The boy has taken the rope.
I'll run and fetch it.
- The bungler! - Ramigani.
Your Highness, Bharani is dead.
Fetch the fakir.
This is a bad start to a banquet.
I'm sorry...
Instead of happiness you feel pain and sorrow.
You'll wish to withdraw.
The women's quarters are at your disposal.
Didn't you say only your will prevailed?
I already said it... I'm sorry.
Your Highness, this was murder.
I hope you had no part in it.
Mr Berger...
I'm glad you think so highly of Indian hospitality
that you rely on it so completely.
Good night.
The courtyard, the staircase up...
The women's courtyard, more stairs...
The women's quarters.
The fakir has vanished.
My best men are looking for him.
He won't get away.
Ramigani, remove the guard from the women's quarters.
I want to know for sure. That's not all...
Seetha, we must leave Eschnapur.
- Bharani... - You mustn't dwell on it.
- Maybe it was an accident. - It was murder.
We must get out of Eschnapur, and India.
Highness.
You must come away with me, Seetha.
Prince Chandra rules from the hills to the sea.
Every passage of this palace, every door and gate is guarded.
There's an underground passage out of here.
Meet me in the temple at dusk.
I'm very frightened.
But I want to go with you.
There he is.
It was a tiger which won you my friendship.
A tiger shall tear you from my heart.
You've robbed and betrayed me.
I don't want to be a murderer.
Fight for your life!
The man-eater!
Raise the gate!
You have from sunrise to sunset to leave Eschnapur.
May the wind cover your trail
as fast as your betrayal ruined our friendship.
The foreigner has gone into town.
Shouldn't we send someone after him...
No. He's free to go.
Never say his name in my presence again.
The dancer asked if she might go to the temple to pray.
Have guards accompany her to the door.
Her fate is still undecided.
But I won't stop her talking to the goddess.
Seetha!
Come on, we must be quick.
There's a shikari uniform. Put it on quickly.
- We have an hour's start. - Chandra will follow us.
I'll hide our trail. We have good horses.
The dog! The treacherous dog!
I told you not to let him go.
- I offered to... - Enough!
You spoke out for her.
You said she should go to the temple.
Be just. She had guards. I had the doors watched too.
No one saw her leave the temple.
- I know their horses. - You talk like an idiot.
Listen, take the hunters who can follow a tiger's trail.
Take my fastest horsemen.
Just bring her back... alive.
The German's head will do.
If you fail, Ramigani, you will pay the price.
All visitors to Eschnapur are checked thoroughly,
but you and Mr Rhode, as special guests, won't wait long.
Tonight Prince Chandra will give a banquet in your honor.
I'm looking forward to seeing my brother.
I am too. See, we can enter now.
My brother Chandra did not realize you would honor us so soon.
We set out earlier than planned.
I'm sorry that no rooms have been prepared for you.
If meanwhile you could use Mr Berger's rooms
yours will be ready tomorrow.
Affairs of state detain Prince Chandra.
Where's my brother?
It's strange he isn't here to meet us.
He didn't know of your arrival. He's on a tiger hunt.
My brother's gone hunting?
That's a new passion.
India awakens many a passion.
I bid you good night.
My brother will look after you tomorrow.
I am going on a journey.
I hope, however, that it won't be very long.
How cold the nights can be in India.
We must go on, Seetha.
We can't light a fire. They'd see it from afar.
It doesn't matter. The sun will soon be up.
Stop.
Shikaris, look for their trail.
We mustn't rest. Not in the cool of the morning.
Look here. Tracks.
- One horse... - Two horses.
Tell Prince Ramigani we've found the trail.
- My horse needs a rest. - We must go on.
- It can't. - Let me see.
Nothing we can do. It's lame.
We'll have to walk if we want to reach the caravan route.
Come down. Take my horse.
Two half-full water bags for one horse and two people.
Come on.
Dismount, Seetha.
Poor animal. What should we do?
It's no good.
Please... Go over there.
Are you very tired?
I'd like to propose the following for the first phase...
I'm going to disappoint you.
I haven't changed my mind, but this must wait for a while.
I want you first to build... a tomb.
A tomb?
Such as the world has never seen before.
Made from purest marble, the most precious jewels...
jade, alabaster, turquoise, coral, emeralds and rubies.
It will be the tomb of my beloved.
I've lost the woman...
who was very close to my heart.
Excuse me, Highness, but...
I thought the Maharani died some years ago.
I'm not talking of the Maharani.
Please accept my condolences
for the loss of someone who loved you dearly.
Who said that the woman of whom I spoke loved me?
And if I lost her, must she be dead?
Then... she's still alive?
YES.
You're building a tomb for a living person?
One day she will be dead.
To be precise, she'll die when the tomb is complete.
I must have misunderstood you.
May I have an explanation?
How can you explain that a woman
who was wrapped in love like a golden cloak
cast my love aside...
and tossed it to a dog?
To a man who betrayed his friend?
You don't want a tomb, Your Highness.
You want an execution site.
There's nothing about this in my contract.
I'm leaving.
You can't leave Eschnapur without my permission and my protection.
You will build the tomb, Mr Rhode.
And I shall bury my love in that tomb.
Name your price. Go as high as you like.
Just start work straight away.
For the first time in my life I'm experiencing your European impatience.
Seetha!