It is 1905 in the northwestern region of India where Prince Kishan is heir to rulership. However, he is only 5 years old. Captain Scott (Kenneth More) and a small detachment of Indian Soldiers escort him to Hyderbad, where the plan was to take him by train to Delhi. The last train has already left and now Muslim troops have circled the city. Governor Sir John Windham does not believe the city will be able to hold out against the impeding siege and plans a daring escape for the young prince. There is an older train engine - Empress of India - that could breakthrough the siege lines and race to safety. Captain Scott is placed in command of the effort. In addition to Gupta the engineer (I. S. Johar) and two Indian soldiers, there is Catherine Wyatt (Lauren Bacall) the prince's governess, Lady Windham the governor's wife, Mr. Bridie (Wilfrid Hyde-White) the ex-patriot, Peter van Layden (Herbert Lom) the reporter, and Mr. Peters the arms dealer. The train trip is not without its dangers, from attacks by mounted horsemen, damaged railways, and an unstable bridge. Can this aging train and ragtag crew take the prince to safety?
I.S. Johar is the most entertaining character of the bunch. His broken - but entirely intelligible - English always brings a smile and his constant good cheer despite the stresses of the trip and his responsibility for the train makes him the standout. Kenneth More, who was a top British actor at the time, is fine as the lead. He plays the never-say-die heroic type quite well. It's a solid performance but not particularly memorable. Bacall likewise makes for a good leading lady and love interest for Capt. Scott. Wilfrid Hyde-White felt very out of place. Though I liked Gupta's upbeat attitude, it was odd to have a second sunny face on this grim adventure. Hyde-White is such a genial and gentlemanly fellow, hardly the kind of man to take on this journey. He was more concerned with teatime than the rebel bullets. By contrast, Herbert Lom provides most of the acerbic attitude on the train. He wheedled his way onto the train against the governor's wishes and clashes with many of the passengers.
It is noteworthy that Pakistan did not yet exist in 1905; it was the northwestern frontier of India until it claimed independence in 1947. Of course, this is a fictional story, not even a based on real events type of movie. It has been described as a British Western and even an adaptation of Stagecoach (1939). In any case, it is good popcorn fun. Recommended.
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