:02:13
This is the palace
of Maharaja Chandra,
:02:16
ruler over life and death
in Eschnapur.
:02:20
All appears to be peaceful,
:02:23
but the calm is deceptive.
:02:26
Ramigani, the Maharaja's
older brother,
:02:29
is envious of him
:02:31
and gathers rebellious nobles
and priests
:02:35
to overthrow his brother
:02:37
and to seize power
in Eschnapur.
:02:42
Chandra, the Maharaja,
is unsuspecting.
:02:45
He's convinced of
the loyalty of his brother.
:02:50
While he feeds
his beloved animals
:02:52
he thinks of the fabulous
island palace
:02:56
and the beautiful dancer
Seetha,
:02:59
whom he called on to dance
in the temple of Eschnapur.
:03:05
In the splendor of the palace
:03:07
she lives like a bird
in a gilded cage.
:03:12
Chandra offers her
the dead Maharani's jewels
:03:15
to show his love.
:03:16
He wants to share the throne
with her.
:03:19
But the dancer's heart
belongs to another,
:03:22
the German engineer
Harald Berger,
:03:25
who was hired by Chandra
to build schools and hospitals.
:03:29
He saved Seetha
from the claws of a tiger.
:03:33
Chandra showed his gratitude
with a ring.
:03:36
But their friendship ended
with Berger's love for Seetha.
:03:41
Berger is forced to flee
with the beautiful dancer.
:03:46
Horsemen are sent out to
find them and bring them back.
:03:53
Berger's sister Irene
:03:55
and her husband Walter Rhode,
Berger's colleague,
:03:59
arrive in Eschnapur.