North West Frontier (1959)

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.

Director:

J. Lee Thompson

Writers:

Frank S. Nugent (adapted from a screenplay by), Patrick Ford (original story),

Stars:

Kenneth More, Lauren Bacall, Herbert Lom

Nominated for 3 BAFTA Film Awards.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kenneth More	...	Captain Scott
Lauren Bacall	...	Catherine Wyatt
Herbert Lom	...	Van Leyden
Wilfrid Hyde-White	...	Bridie (as Wilfrid Hyde White)
I.S. Johar	...	Gupta
Ursula Jeans	...	Lady Windham
Eugene Deckers	...	Peters
Ian Hunter	...	Sir John Windham
Jack Gwillim	...	Brigadier Ames
Govind Raja Ross	...	Prince Kishan
Basil Hoskins	...	A.D.C.
S.M. Asgaralli	...	Havildar(1st. Indian Soldier)
S.S. Chowdhary	...	2nd. Indian Soldier
Moultrie Kelsall	...	Brittish Correspondent
Lionel Murton	...	American Correspondent

Storyline

In northwestern India soon after the turn of the 20th Century, Moslem rebels seek to kill a six-year-old Hindu prince to end his family line. Captain Scott of the British Army is ordered to get the prince out of the region safely. Adventure ensues as Scott sneaks the child away, through Moslem-held territory, by train. Also on board are the boy's American governess, an arms merchant, a cynical reporter, and two upper class Britons.

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Plot Keywords:

prince | train | india | boy | ramming | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1960 (Belgium)

Also Known As:

Flame Over India

Filming Locations:

Amber Fort, Amber, Rajasthan, India

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rank Organisation, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

'Variety' said that this movie was "reminiscent of the same director's Ice Cold in Alex, with an ancient locomotive replacing the ambulance in that desert war story and with hordes of be-turbaned tribesmen substituting for the Nazi patrols."

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Goofs

In one shot near the end of the film, while the insurgents are attacking the train, the shadow of the camera helicopter is clearly visible on the ground.

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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.

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Soundtracks

"The Eton Boating Song"
(uncredited)
Music by Algernon Drummond and lyrics by William Johnson
Sung by Kenneth More and heard as a theme

User Reviews

A positively rip-roaring joy from start to finish.

We are in British India, Moslem rebels want to kill a young Hindu prince and thus killing his family blood line. The British army are charged with the task of ensuring the prince is safely escorted from the troubled provinces. The duty falls to one intrepid Captain Scott, the only chance to achieve the aim is by train, with his allies on board being a rather unique group of individuals, can Scott achieve the mission against the mounting odds?.

North West Frontier has everything a great action adventure should have, action, tension, drama and an array of wonderfully colourful characters. The opening to the film is pulsating, as Scott has to fight off the rebels whilst smuggling the prince and his governess out to safety. From then on we are on a train journey that is rich with enjoyment, tension mounts amongst the passengers, not least because of the class differences, and perhaps motives are not in alignment?, but they must club together if they are to survive this journey. Kenneth Moore, Lauren Bacall, Herbert Lom and Wilfrid Hyde-White {comedy gold when under attack} are all pulling together to make a cracking yarn. Directing duties falls to J. Lee Thompson, who's CV boasts Ice Cold In Alex, The Guns Of Navarone and Cape Fear, this material was thankfully in very safe hands. The photography from Geoffrey Unsworth is top notch, barren and desolate landscapes beautifully realising the peril of the passengers journey, whilst the music from Mischa Spoliansky leaves a lasting impression. This train may well be crammed full of genre stereotypes, and sure enough the patronising nature of the piece is dated at the edges, but this remains a gloriously enjoyable film that the whole family can readily digest, 9/10.