Tonight's Movie: Man-Eater of Kumaon (1948) - A Kino Lorber Blu-ray Review

The Universal Pictures film MAN-EATER OF KUMAON (1948) has just been released on Blu-ray by Kino Lorber.

The movie, based on a book by Jim Corbett, might be termed a psychological jungle adventure. It's the story of Dr. John Collins (Wendell Corey), a depressed doctor who has given up his New York practice for hunting in India.

When Collins wounds a tiger, blowing off its paw, the tiger turns into a ferocious beast seeking easy prey -- humans. Several local villagers are killed by the tiger.

Collins initially doesn't care about the problems he's caused, but his exit from the area is slowed first when he contracts malaria and then when he finds an orphaned child (James Mossas) during his travels.

When Collins takes the child to a village and gets to know its inhabitants (including Sabu and Joy Page, billed as Joanne), he gradually becomes more sensitive, and in helping others he also gains insight into his own problems.

This film, directed by Byron Haskin and written by Jeanne Bartlett and Lewis Meltzer, kind of works as a fairly short, 79-minute mood piece; it's well done for what it is, yet I can't say I enjoyed most of it. I simply didn't care for the story. 

The movie is fairly depressing, starting with the issues outlined above, and also including the prospect of tradition forcing a young woman out of her marriage after a tiger attack renders her infertile. Except for a few light moments with the appealing young lovers Sabu and Page, it's a sad, dark film about depression, death, and a badly injured animal.

The supporting cast includes Morris Carnovsky, Ted Hecht, and Argentina Brunetti.

The movie was mostly shot on soundstages, and IMDb indicates some filming was also done at Corriganville. I shared photos of Corriganville at Classic Movie Hub a few years ago.

The Blu-ray, from a 2019 HD master by Paramount Pictures, is sharp and clear, showing off the black and white photography of William C. Mellor to its best effect.

Disc extras consist of a commentary track by David Del Valle and Dan Marino, plus a gallery of eight trailers for other films available from Kino Lorber. The case includes reversible cover art, always a nice plus.

The movie may not have been for me, but kudos to Kino Lorber for making it available in a beautiful copy. Those interested in the story may find it worthwhile, and this new release is certainly an excellent way to see it.

Thanks to Kino Lorber for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray.

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