Information
- BFI identifier30713
- Date1928 (Release)
- Production countryIndia, United Kingdom, Germany
- Production company
- SynopsisThe love story of the 17th century princess who became Empress Mumtaz Mahal, whose tomb is the Taj Mahal. Rl.1 The infant daughter of an Indian Princess is lost after the massacre of the caravan by which she was being carried across the Great Persian Desert. After the bandits have left the little girl is found by a travelling potter named Hasan. Hasan's wife takes their son Shiraz to a fortune teller who predicts that Love, Sorrow and Fame Immortal will come to him from the desert. Hasan enters the village with the little girl whom the fortune teller recognises as one favoured by Allah. Hasan decides to call her Selima (968). Rl.2 Shiraz and Selima grow up, his affection growing to adoration. One day, while drawing water at the well, she is seen and followed back to her village by two horsemen, slave raiders, who decide that she would bring a good price at the slave market. They return, sieze her and prepare her for the market at Al Kalab (2030). Rl.3 During the auction of Selima, Shiraz protests that it is against the law since she was taken from her village by force. She is sold to the Prince Khurram, Crown Prince of India for 1,000 Dinas. At the court, she attracts his attention by refusing to bow in the approved manner. She causes jealousy among the other women, particularly Dalia who has put forth rumours that she is to marry the Prince herself, and plots to betray Selima (3196). Rl.4 Shiraz enters the palace grounds with Mirza's party of workmen and sends a message to Selima which Dalia intercepts. The Prince, about to depart for Delhi tells Selima that he wishes to marry her but cannot because she is not of noble birth (4389). Rl.5 Shiraz enters the palace with the pass provided by Dalia. The Prince, having heard that he should return to the palace finds Shiraz with Selima. Shiraz is arrested and condemned to death immediately; he refuses to betray the slave who gave him the pass. Dalia, finding from the slave that the pass is not in her possession, poisons the slave (5594). Rl.6 The poisoned slave requests to see the Prince before she dies and due to her confession regarding the pass saves the life of Shiraz who is just about to be trampled to death by an elephant. Dalia is banished from the kingdom for her treachery. Shiraz gives Selima the amulet she had since infancy; this the soothsayer recognises as that of the Empress Nur Jehan, given to her niece, the princess Arjumand. Selima marries the Prince and becomes Mumtaz Mahal (6891). Rl.7 Shiraz goes daily to watch the happiness of his beloved; this he does for 18 years until the Empress falls ill and dies. The Prince calls for designs for a monument to her and considers models from all over his Empire. Blind Shiraz submits a model which is chosen, the Prince ordering that his eyes be put out in order that he never make anything of such beauty again. The Prince recognises him as Shiraz and together they follow the construction of the Taj Mahal (8037). (Shotlist) The love story of the 17th century princess who became Empress Mumtaz Mahal, whose tomb is the Taj Mahal. (Synopsis)
- Work historyReleased in India at 8402ft in 1928. Released in Germany: Censor date 5/9/1928 at 2561m; premiere 20/12/1928. Released in Britain; trade show 25/9/1928 at 8000ft. Released as an 80 minute version in USA in 1929.
- Genre
- Subject
- CreditsDirector: Franz Osten
Production Company: British Instructional Films
Production Company: Emelka Film
view all - Cast
Title
Shiraz (Original)
Das Grabmal Einer Großen Liebe (Alternative)
Das Grabmal Einer Grossen Liebe (Alternative)
EIDR identifier
10.5240/89B7-2D8F-2F9C-9AE5-7B51-QCategory
FictionThis work is included in the BFI Filmography.
This work is available from BFI Archive Sales
This work is available to view in the Mediatheque at BFI Southbank.
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view all - StillsPhotograph: film still - Landscape - Black and White - SPD-607034
Photograph: film still - Landscape - Black and White - SPD-607033
Photograph: film still - Landscape - Black and White - SPD-607032
Photograph: film still - Landscape - Black and White - SPD-607036
Photograph: film still - Landscape - Black and White - SPD-607071
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- Books
- Digital documentsBFI Southbank Programme Notes February 2018
BFI Southbank Programme Notes February 2018
available to view in BFI Reuben Library