The Deceivers Details

In the absence of regular partner James Ivory, producer Ismail Merchant has managed to miss both the rousing adventure and the intriguing ideas contained in John Masters's novel of cultism and culture clash. Part of the problem lies with director Nicholas Meyer, who is unsure whether to opt for mini-series glossiness or schlock goriness as a secret cult is linked to a spate of murders that disturb the peace of 1820s India. But the weight of blame must fall on the performers, with usually dependable stalwarts like Saeed Jaffrey and Shashi Kapoor every bit as inanimate as the current 007, Pierce Brosnan, who looks neither shaken nor stirred throughout.

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