ZARAK

UK, 1956, 99 minutes, Colour.
Victor Mature, Michael Wilding, Anita Ekberg, Bernard Miles, Finlay Currie.
Directed by Terence Young.

Zarak to a British adventure set in India with Victor Mature. The ingredients don't sound promising for a major film but this particular film is quite enjoyable in its way. Victor Mature was made for this kind of adventure role. While the dialogue is not outstanding, the episodes are what we might expect, nevertheless the film does have quite some verve and is entertaining for younger audiences. In retrospect, it does raise questions about the British, India and empire.

1. Enjoyment value of this film, Impact, matinee material? Use of colour, Cinemascope, music, action sequences?

2. How interesting and real a portrait of India in the Nineteenth Century? The terrain, the mountains, the cities, the tribes, the atmosphere of war, resentment of the British?

3. Where were audience sympathies? The response to the Indians, pro-British? Pro-Indian?

4. The legendary character of Zarak? The significance of the opening and his relationship with his father's concubine, his being whipped, exiled? The bitterness of his rebellion? The daring of his raids against the British, notifying them and challenging them? What made him change? His relationship with his brothers, his other allies? His importance of giving himself up? Of being whipped to save his enemies?

5. How well did the film delineate his character? Or did it portray him as a type?

6. The contrast with the English major? A British type, a personality in his own right? The encounters with Zarak, his leadership, relationship with his wife? The final confrontation, being saved by Zarak?

7. The portrayal of the British and the varying types in India?

8. The portryal of the Indians and the varying types?

9. How well presented were the battle sequences? Interesting, exciting, violent?

10. The varying melodramatics, intrigue, romance? Appropriate
for this kind of film?

11. How satisfying is this kind of matinee material for entertainment, for reflection on the themes presented?