Herman Hesse’s 1922 novel is brought to the screen with the reverence of a true devotee by American writer/director Conrad Rooks.
However, such is the unquestioning dogmatism of the screenplay, the lushness of Sven Nykvist’s Indian landscapes and the stylised earnestness of Bollywood icon Shashi Kapoor in the title role that instead of a moving journey to spiritual enlightenment, this comes across as a glossy promo for Buddhism, in which self-discovery is trampled underfoot by clumsy symbolism.
Bypassing life in its quest for significance, this is an airless adaptation of an obdurate text.
Satan's Sadists (1969) The Satans are a very cruel biker gang led by Anchor (Russ Tamblyn). The gang stop at a diner in…
Innocent Bystanders (1972) Featuring Stanely Baker’s last big-screen role, Innocent Bystanders looks and feels like a hard-boiled low-rent James Bond. Proof that Baker…
Nobody Ordered Love (1972) This comedy-tragedy tells of the double-crossing and heartless dealings in the British film industry. Hammer horror icon Ingrid Pitt plays…
Steptoe and Son (1972) Harold Steptoe (Harry H. Corbett) has just been divorced. It was not a happy marriage, and as he leaves the…
Scream Blacula Scream (1973) After a dying Voodoo queen chooses adopted apprentice Lisa (Pam Grier) as her successor, her son Willis (Richard Lawson) -…
Butterflies Are Free (1972) Goldie Hawn stars as cheerful irresponsible hippie Jill Tanner in this light-hearted film as a flighty actress who falls in love…
Stepford Wives, The (1975) Katherine Ross, long remembered as Mrs Robinson's daughter in The Graduate (1967), plays the lead role of Joanna Eberhart in this screen…
Abductors, The (1972) Three cheerleaders (a blonde, a brunette and a redhead) are kidnapped by slavers who tie them up and sell them…
