The Brigand of Kandahar

I generally enjoy Hammer Films foray into historical adventure but this is a weak entry and not one of John Gilling's best. Set in 1850's India at the height of the Empire this sees a mixed race British officer with conflicting loyalties help Oliver Reeds character Eli Khan, seen here hamming it up in his last Hammer film, as the bandit leading a revolt against colonial forces with plans to infiltrate the British at Fort Kandahar. John Gilling was probably trying to offer something a little different and concoct an adventure story using the British Raj as a backdrop to explore issues of race, prejudice and colonialism which could have been an intriguing premise but gets hampered by a weak script, poor acting and a very low budget where certain action sequences are lifted from other movies, and clumsily used at that. Nice costumes, a few jarring scenes and an unexpected ending makes it worth a watch but what could have been an interesting perspective becomes pedestrian and routine.

This is an extremely curious film from Hammer.They did look to diversify from their Hammer horrors and this is one of the results.The plot seems quite strange and very muddled.What is more it is difficult to take seriously.Normally in an adventure film you know which side to support.However in this film it is difficult to know who is worse.The Army comes out of it just as badly as the warring tribes.Also here we have a film as late as 1967 where it was thought not to be a problem having a white European actor putting on make up to play an Asian character.The plot revolves around the fact that Lewis is discharged from the army and imprisoned on very circumstantial evidence and racial prejudice.I have to say that "Carry On Up The Khyber" is a far better film and a lot more fun too.