North West Frontier

North West Frontier is an adventure film set in the 1900s in colonial India. It stars Kenneth More as Captain Scott, a British officer tasked with transporting a young prince to safety in the face of a rebellion. Lauren Bacall co-stars as Catherine Wyatt, a journalist who accompanies them on the perilous journey. Other notable performances come from Herbert Lom as the villainous Khar, and Wilfrid Hyde-White as the bumbling Deputy Commissioner, Peters.

The movie begins with an introduction to the political climate in India at the time, where the British hold sway over the Indian subcontinent, but are facing resistance from nationalist forces. The action starts almost immediately when the young prince, being held captive by the British, is threatened by an angry mob of rebels. Captain Scott must get him to safety, so he puts together a team of disparate individuals, including Catherine Wyatt, a French engineer, and an Indian train driver.

The journey takes place mostly on a train, which is the focus of much of the action in the movie. The train is an old-fashioned steam engine that chugs and hisses its way through the rugged landscape of northwest India. The terrain is challenging, and the rebels are always close behind, threatening to derail the train and capture the prince. The tension is palpable throughout the movie, as the characters face one obstacle after another.

The characters themselves are all well-drawn, with Kenneth More giving a strong performance as the stoic but determined Captain Scott. Lauren Bacall adds a touch of glamour to the proceedings, playing her character with a mix of toughness and vulnerability. Herbert Lom is excellent as the ruthless Khar, who will stop at nothing to get his hands on the prince. Wilfrid Hyde-White is hilarious as the hapless Deputy Commissioner, who provides some comic relief in the midst of the action.

One of the standout features of the movie is the breathtaking scenery. The train winds its way through mountains, valleys, and forests, with the camera capturing the beauty of the landscape in stunning detail. The movie was shot on location in India, and the authenticity of the setting adds to the sense of realism.

The action sequences are also noteworthy, with director J. Lee Thompson delivering some tense and thrilling set pieces. The most memorable scene in the movie comes towards the end, when the train is stopped by rebel forces and the characters must fend off a fierce attack. The scene is expertly staged, with bullets flying and explosions going off all around the characters, who must fight for their lives.

Despite the tense and action-packed nature of the movie, North West Frontier also touches on some deeper themes. There are discussions about the nature of colonial rule, with the characters questioning the morality of the British presence in India. There is also a sense of empathy towards the rebels, who are fighting for their independence and way of life. These themes are not explored in great depth, but they add a layer of depth to the movie that elevates it from a simple action-adventure film.

Overall, North West Frontier is a thrilling and well-crafted movie that keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat from start to finish. The performances are strong, the action is intense, and the scenery is stunning. It may be an old movie, but it still holds up as a classic adventure film that is well worth watching.