Both the title and the locality chosen for this screenplay awaken the interests of the viewer. "THE PRINCE OF INDIA" is the story of the Jewish shoemaker, condemned by our Lord to wander over the Earth, until His Second Coming. This "Wandering Jew" is first introduced at the hidden sarcophagus of Hiram, King of Tyre, which he has not visited for one thousand years. Ten centuries before, he had found this mine of priceless jewels, concealing the spot for his future exploration. He pays a short visit to Byzantium, where he possesses another treasure vault, and then departs for China for a stay of fifty years.

It is after the expiration of this period that he assumes the title of "Prince of India". He is now filled with the purpose of teaching men that God is the Lord, under whatever form worshiped, and that all men should accept his teaching. Next, he goes to Constantinople to reveal this to the Greek Church, although he is at this time in league with the heir-apparent to the Turkish throne.

The thread of romance appears in the love of this young Turk for Princess Irenè, a relative of Constantine, Emperor of Byzantium; and also in the fondness of the "Prince of India" for a little Jewess named Læl, whom he adopts. The "Prince of India", unsuccessful in his mission at Constantinople, and in rage and disappointment with the treatment he receives, sets fire to his possessions, fleeing to the side of Mohammed, who is heir to the Turkish Empire.

The capture of Constantinople follows, which is graphically treated. The fiery Mohammed weds beautiful Princess Irenè, who tempers the enthusiasm of the victor by her spirit of Christianity. The "Prince of India", borne down on the battlefield, and supposed to be dead, rises with renewed youth to wander forth again, an outcast and a stranger to his generation...

CRITIQUE

In many ways, this screenplay resembles "BEN-HUR": it covers a period of many years, and its plot is built by putting together historical and geographical facts, and by weaving in a thread of romance. The second "boat race" introduced into this story suggests the famous "chariot race" in his "BEN-HUR". This property has value in awakening an interest in a fascinating period of history, and fixing in the mind of the viewer many historic events and customs, while its treatment of the religious questions involved is both broad and comprehensive.

Keller, Helen Rex. The Reader’s Digest of Books, New and Greatly Enlarged Edition,
(New York: The Macmillan Company, 1936), pp. 691-2.