North West Frontier (Flame Over India) [PG]

Director: J. Lee Thompson

Starring: Lauren Bacall, Kenneth More, Wilfred Hyde White, I. S. Johar, Herbert Lom

A solid, adventure romp through one of the Imperial Colonies. This is a train-chase movie trundling with breathtaking suspense in the rattley old "Empress Of India" - the train an important character in herself - and is so well acted, photographed, directed and scripted it is one of the best in the genre. A governess is shepherding a Hindu Prince, whose lineage is sympathetic to the British, through a gauntlet of angry Muslim pursuers who seek their real independence. The train carriage becomes a microcosm of society of that era in much the same way as Hitchcock's Lifeboat and with equal intensity.

It is based on a story by Patrick Ford, son of the great director, John Ford, and there are strong similarities also to Ford's Stagecoach in this treatment. It will be a real discovery to those who have never seen it, and to experience this grand spectacle on the Astor SuperScreen in a brand new 35mm print, is an extra-special treat. Cinematography by Geoffrey Unsworth (2001: A Space Odyssey). Also known as Flame Over India (GF)

Rating:

Internet Movie Database listing for North West Frontier.