The first port of call has to be A Throw of Dice (1929) which, after a gap of many years, was recently shown in its entirety on British television with a new orchestrated score by Nitin Sawhney. The director surprisingly was German, Franz Osten, who worked extensively in India. A somewhat strange character, Osten was a Nazi and held mystical beliefs in the origins and destiny of Indo-Aryan culture. However, little of this need trouble us as we watch a magnificent film, full of expressionist lighting and carefully constructed sets. The story is based on an extract from the Mahabharata. It concerns two kings (one good and one bad) who both love a beautiful hermit’s daughter and they play dice – the winner to marry the girl. Of course, I won’t tell you what happens next, you must watch the movie and see! The film starred the mesmerising and – oh so – beautiful Seeta Devi in the key role. The real name of this Anglo-Indian actress was Renee Smith and she had changed her name to make herself more acceptable to an Indian audience.
