North West Frontier (1959)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

J. Lee Thompson

Writers:

Robin Estridge (screenplay)
Patrick Ford (story)

Release Date:

9 September 1960 (Finland)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama

Plot:

In British India, a young prince must be taken to safey across rebel-held territory, and an old train is the only way to do it.

Plot Keywords:

Prince | Train | India | British Army | British Empire

Awards:

Nominated for 3 BAFTA Film Awards.

Cast

Kenneth More	...	Capt. Scott
Lauren Bacall	...	Catherine Wyatt
Herbert Lom	...	Van Layden
Wilfrid Hyde-White	...	Bridie (as Wilfrid Hyde White)
I.S. Johar	...	Gupta
Ursula Jeans	...	Lady Windham
Eugene Deckers	...	Peters
Ian Hunter	...	Sir John Wyndham
Jack Gwillim	...	Brig. Ames
Govind Raja Ross	...	Prince Kishan
Basil Hoskins	...	Aide-de-camp
S.M. Asgaralli	...	Havildar - 1st Indian Soldier
S.S. Chowdhary	...	2nd Indian Soldier
Moultrie Kelsall	...	Brittish Correspondent
Lionel Murton	...	American Correspondent

Also Known As:

Flame Over India (USA)

Runtime:

129 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Iceland:L | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:U

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Rank Organisation, The

Trivia:

Average Shot Length = ~6.9 seconds. Median Shot Length = ~6 seconds.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The movie takes place in India in the early 20th century, but 1950s British trains can be seen in the background through the locomotive cab windows at various times. (Some cab-interior shots were done on a studio set with stock background footage.)

Quotes:

Captain Scott: "Be thankful you're living and trust your luck, march to your front like a soldier."
Catherine Wyatt: Who said that?
Captain Scott: Man called Kipling. Another tea-drinker.

Great movie especially for the oldsters!

I like this film not only for the excellent acting by its stars but for its robust, no-nonsense stance on sensitive issues like imperialism and religious conflict. Kenneth More plays the likeable, plucky brit whose stiff upper lip and business-like approach to solving problems is an example to us all. Lauren Bacall is her usual enchanting self, but my highest praise for character acting goes to I S Johar (Gupta). He brings copious helpings of humour to the film as an antidote to Lom's dark and sombre broodings. 10 out of 10.