North West Frontier main backdrop
North West Frontier main poster

North West Frontier

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6.7/10 • 46

1959-10-132h 9m

AdventureDrama

Two people trapped by fate. In a country with no destiny.

In the rebellious northern frontier province of colonial India, British Army Captain Scott, a young prince and the boy's governess escape by an obsolete train as they are relentlessly pursued by Muslim rebels intent on assassinating the prince.

Directors
J. Lee Thompson
Editors
Frederick Wilson

Top Billed Cast

View Credits
  1. Kenneth More

    Kenneth More

    Capt. Scott

  2. Lauren Bacall

    Lauren Bacall

    Catherine Wyatt

  3. Herbert Lom

    Herbert Lom

    Van Layden

  4. Wilfrid Hyde-White

    Wilfrid Hyde-White

    Bridie

  5. I.S. Johar

    I.S. Johar

    Gupta

  6. Ursula Jeans

    Ursula Jeans

    Lady Windham

  7. Eugene Deckers

    Eugene Deckers

    Mr Peters

  8. Ian Hunter

    Ian Hunter

    Sir John Wyndham

  9. Jack Gwillim

    Jack Gwillim

    Brig. Ames

Reviews1

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John Chard Avatar

John Chard

Dec 28, 2019

9/10

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, whilst also adding in 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, the tension mounts among the passengers, not least because of the class and cultural differences, and perhaps allmotives are not in alignment? But they must club together if they are to survive this dangerous 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, whose CV boasts "Ice Cold In Alex", "The Guns Of Navarone" and "Cape Fear", so 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

Media

  • North West Frontier poster
  • North West Frontier poster
  • North West Frontier poster
  • North West Frontier poster
  • North West Frontier poster
  • North West Frontier poster
  • North West Frontier poster
  • North West Frontier poster
  • North West Frontier poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
armymuslimescapechasebritish empiretrainrailroadcolonial india