North West Frontier (1959)

[bunniefuu]

'This is India.

The North West Frontier province. 1905.

'A country of many religions.

'Men find many reasons

for k*lling each other -

'greed, revenge, jealousy

'or perhaps because they worship God

by different names.

'Rebel fanatics are gathering in the hills.

'Their objective -

to k*ll a six-year-old boy

'because he is a prince

and the future leader of his people.

'His father, the Maharajah,

has appealed to us, the British,

'asking us to take his son

to the garrison town of Haserabad

'and then to send him to safety in Delhi.'

Fire!

Fire!

Fire!

Ra! Ra! Rata cha!

Ra! Ra! Rata cha! Rata cha!

Peechi jao! Peechi jao!

There's another gate along to the left!

For heaven's sake,

keep that door open.

Peechi! Peechi! Keep back!

I'm frightfully sorry, sir.

B Company. They gave it the right name.

Have they held the last train?

No, sir. They wouldn't have got away.

Damn! We'd better report.

- Still with me?

- Yes. For better or worse.

- Yes, sahib.

- He'll be all right.

Of course. His people

have always been soldiers.

Sorry, there's no more I can do...

Captain Scott!

I demand an immediate escort away.

I'm so glad you got through.

We've been worried.

Mrs Wyatt, this is Mr Bridie.

He does all the work around here.

- His Excellency wants to see you.

- I'll report at once.

Will you come with me please,

Mrs Wyatt?

You don't seem to realise

that I am a British citizen. Look!

We're all British citizens,

Mr Peters, even without papers.

It's unforgivable I wasn't warned.

There's a cable office.

The lines were cut. Into the ballroom.

See Lady Windham.

I insist. You must take me

to the Governor at once!

There's nothing he can do.

The last train's gone.

I'm not blaming you. Having Mrs Wyatt

with you can't have made it any quicker.

She did pretty well, sir.

Not my idea of a governess.

Her husband was a fine doctor.

Saved the boy's life when he was a baby.

- We couldn't get him to leave.

- I didn't expect you would.

The important thing is Prince Kishan.

Delhi sent a special order -

get him out at once. Seems I've failed.

Yes?

- General Ames.

- Come in, Charles.

- You're a bit late.

- Scott did his best.

- Where's the boy, sir?

- In the library.

Your Highness, welcome to my home.

- Thank you, Your Excellency.

- He's very tired.

Mrs Wyatt, I met your husband

in Bombay. This is General Ames.

The last train has gone. We held it

for His Highness as long as we dared.

I promised I'd take him to safety.

I promised his father.

- He'll be safe here.

- What makes you think that?

This isn't an ordinary tribal uprising.

It's far bigger.

- We have no reason to believe so.

- I'm telling you.

Princes who fight each other

are on the same side.

- Rasjad, Hussein, even Rahim.

- She's perfectly right, sir.

If you'd have acted on my message

three days ago,

Prince Kishan would be safe.

- We are the best judges of that.

- I disagree.

The British never seem to do anything

until they've had tea.

I'm sorry, but that's the way

it seems to America.

Please forgive me.

Nobody told me you'd come.

My dear, you might have sent word.

Your Highness. Mrs Wyatt, isn't it?

I've heard of you.

- How do you do?

- The child looks exhausted.

So do you, Captain Scott.

I'm sure you're dying for a bath.

- I certainly am.

- I'll show you to your rooms.

- Thank you, Captain Scott.

- You're a good soldier.

You'll have to forgive me

for speaking my mind

but I believe that's what it's for.

Hussein, Rasjad and Rahim

fighting together.

- It's possible she's wrong, sir.

- I wish she was.

- Go and get some rest.

- Thank you, sir.

Fire!

They've captured the railway gates,

so we're under siege.

- Can we hold out?

- If we get reinforcements.

- If we don't?

- We haven't a hope.

Prince Kishan must be got out.

Delhi made it clear we must save him

if it's the last thing we did.

- It may be the last thing we do.

- Captain Scott here yet?

- He's waiting.

- Send him in, please.

The boy is only a figurehead.

His family have been

a "figurehead" for generations.

It's our only chance of restoring order.

- You think he's that important?

- I know he is.

He's the religious and political

leader of thousands of Hindus.

Come in.

These rebels are Moslems.

If they had managed to k*ll him,

if they still manage to k*ll him,

the Hindus will have no leader.

It'll be civil w*r. Worse than the Mutiny.

All right, Scott.

What are the chances of getting

the Prince to Kalapur in safety?

I'm sorry. His Excellency

didn't request your presence.

The subject under discussion affects

me more closely than anybody else here.

Mrs Wyatt's perfectly right.

Can you get him to Kalapur?

- The last train has gone.

- The army doesn't need engines.

- What about horses?

- No chance. We had to leave ours.

- They've got a sn*per on every hill.

- But you got through.

- Yes, sir. Before they closed in.

- Yes, that's right.

I'm afraid the Prince

will have to stay here.

He'll be quite safe.

We're expecting reinforcements.

I'm beginning to understand

British people.

You really mean it won't be safe

and reinforcements won't get here.

My dear lady, you don't understand.

No. It's a good way of looking at things.

It just takes a little getting used to.

- Thank you, Scott.

- Sir.

- It's no use your waiting, Mr Peters.

- When can I see him?

The Governor is very busy.

I shall lodge a complaint

when I get to Delhi!

If you get to Delhi!

See, sahib? Very plenty of the steam.

But is it coming

from the right places, Gupta?

What right places?

Victoria is old, I confess that.

But she has experience and when she

has experience, nothing can go wrong.

It is not the fault of Victoria.

I asked them last week,

and last month I asked them 17 times,

to give me one day for repair.

But no. They said Victoria is old

and no good except for shunting.

Nobody understands.

Kalapur's over 300 miles away.

What is 300 miles to this engine, sahib?

You know what she did

in the Karachi run?

- Two times in one week!

- Yes, but how many years ago?

Look at the boiler. Not even one leak.

Not an inch of steam is escaping from it.

If the boiler's good,

the whole engine is good.

Look for yourself if not believing Gupta.

That is only the piston bearing

which is not good.

That is why one half

of the steam is escaping.

That's all that's wrong?

Gupta has been for 30 years

in the railway service.

- You think Gupta don't know?

- No, Gupta. I think you do know.

- We shall need a coach.

- There is no one but that one.

- But that's broken down.

- Broken.

What about those wheels? Will they fit?

Yes. They are very fitting wheels.

Gupta, how many miles per hour could

Victoria go pulling just one coach?

- At least 50 miles, sahib.

- 50?

Well, if not 50, then at least 40 miles.

And when it is mended, sahib,

you don't know what speed it will go.

She'll be mended.

The only problem is coal.

- We'll never get enough in there.

- We need five to six times more.

But where can we put it?

Have you a truck?

- Yes, sahib. In the shed.

- Good.

I'll get the sappers.

Tell them what you want.

You will be never sorry

for the judgment you are making.

I hope you're right, Gupta.

I hope you're right.

And get that fixed!

Yes, sahib. At once.

She is like the lady!

She shouts too much when she is happy!

- You must know one way or the other.

- The rumours must have foundation.

In my experience,

rumour is seldom backed by truth.

- Is the Prince here?

- Yes. That's why they're attacking.

- When the time comes you'll be told.

- Why don't you trust us?

We know they k*lled the boy's father.

I assure you, I know nothing.

I'm not in a position of authority.

- Sir John wants you.

- Thank heavens. Excuse me.

- He cannot make a statement.

- Why is the city being attacked?

Isn't it because the Prince is here?

This hinges on Prince Kishan.

This province has been loyal to

Prince Kishan's family for centuries.

While he's alive, there's no possibility

of a successful rebellion.

The Governor will make a statement

tomorrow.

It's impossible to get dispatches out.

The wires are cut.

- Then why not tell us the truth?

- Why all the secrecy?

Mr Peters. You wish to go to Kalapur?

It is essential.

I'm expected in Delhi on Friday.

There's a train leaving in an hour.

I hope you can fire those r*fles you sell.

The armament industry is impartial.

Your customers out there aren't.

- Will you all sit down?

- There's no need for me to go.

Someone has to be responsible

for the dispatch box.

- I know.

- I've chosen you.

Besides, I know you'll look after my wife.

Heavens, it's not forever. You'll be back.

The whole thing's settled.

Be in the station yard at 11:15.

You'll be in Captain Scott's hands.

He'll explain.

I don't intend to be a schoolmaster

but I'd like to explain the position.

The whole point is the rebels

think that the last train has gone.

They do not know

that we have another engine.

Also, the outer gate on the railway

is in their hands.

And quite obviously shut.

I'm not much of an artist.

We hold the inner gate up here.

And between these two gates,

there's a gradient.

Victoria's a wonderful old engine,

but she makes a lot of noise.

Too much.

So although we'll have steam up,

we're going to freewheel.

We ought to get up quite a speed

on this slope.

Enough to smash through

this outer gate

before they know what's hit them.

Well, that's roughly the plan.

I admit that any number of things

can happen.

They may even have blocked

the line to stop reinforcements

but that's something we'll have to face

if and when we get to it.

So it's true. He is here.

Sorry, sir. He came up the back stairs.

- Send this man away.

- Please leave, Mr Van Leyden.

You're going to try to get him out?

Impossible.

- Come on.

- All right, Scott.

Since you've discovered

both salient points,

there's no need to throw you out.

By train with the outer gate

in enemy hands? What a story!

It's hardly likely to reach the papers!

I suppose not.

Unless I was to go on the train also.

It's an idea. I could go on the train.

There are a thousand people

I'd send first.

Of course. You don't like me.

I don't know about you, madam.

I'm Peter Van Leyden.

Now you have your story and no chance

of getting it out, perhaps you'll leave!

It's terrible to think what would

happen to your train if people knew.

They'd tear it to pieces

rather than let it go.

But of course it's a secret.

Nobody could possibly know.

Mr Van Leyden...

It is possible the newspapers

of the world should know.

Oh, no. It's of no importance.

- Mr Van Leyden?

- Yes?

- You may go on the train.

- Why, thank you, Sir John.

Your luggage must be at the yard by 11.

I'll check the dispatch box.

- Where are you going?

- To get my bag.

Yes. That's an excellent idea.

- I see. If I go, I miss the train?

- Yes, Mr Van Leyden.

Then I shall have to travel light.

As a journalist I'm used to it.

I couldn't wish for better company -

the decline and fall of an empire.

Roman, not British.

You haven't given me a chance

to speak to you.

There's nothing left to discuss.

Get your things ready.

They are ready but I'm not going.

This little boy's very, very important,

yet you're prepared to take this risk.

And it is a tremendous risk,

we all realise that.

We can't hold out here, isn't that it?

- We have every hope.

- Hope? Everybody hopes.

- You're going.

- No. I'm staying here with you.

- I have no right to get on...

- Right?!

Right? Haven't I my rights?

Am I Governor of a province for nothing?

- But I can't be so selfish.

- I'm being selfish, my dear.

For once, I'm being selfish.

You're going on the train and that's that.

That's that.

Your luggage has been loaded.

Board the train please?

- You've got a complete set of tools.

- Crowbars, pickaxes?

- Everything.

- I wanted these mountings fixed.

- I'm sorry. There wasn't time.

- I hope they keep their distance.

Good luck.

Cheer up. I'm sure those gates

aren't as strong as they look.

It's not that. It's...

I'd rather stay behind.

Haserabad doesn't seem

a very good place to be now.

It's my home.

When I shut up my little house

I had a feeling

I'd never see it again.

Satisfied?

- You trying to k*ll us all?

- We're trying to save you.

The British are incurably optimistic.

- But you're British.

- My passport is.

You really think we can get through?

Would I be trying it if I didn't?

Course you would.

You've been ordered to try it.

Get aboard. Quickly.

- How's the pressure, Gupta?

- Not very forcing to go yet.

It will be forcing in a soon moment.

Oh, do let me.

We'll be off soon.

Will you all lie on the floor please?

It may be uncomfortable but it's

necessary and it won't be for long.

Mr Bridie, turn that lamp out please.

All being well, the train won't stop.

If it does, don't look out

of the windows or leave the carriage,

but put the shutters up and wait for me.

Right.

- How is she now?

- Now it is forcing.

It will be ready to go

only in a soon moment.

Lie down right here.

Mrs Wyatt, there is more room here.

I'm quite happy where I am, thank you.

Never mind, Mr Peters. The Americans

are by tradition isolationist.

Now it is terribly ready, sahib.

Terribly ready.

Is everybody all right? Good.

We're off. For better or worse.

- Ready to move off, sir.

- Good luck, Captain Scott.

Thank you, sir.

Close the fire door, Gupta.

Let her go!

Keep down, everybody!

We'll soon be clear.

- Morning, Mr Peters.

- Morning.

Here. Sorry, it's a Lee Enfield.

The rival firm. Ten rounds.

I've never used one of these

before in my life.

They're for k*lling people with.

Why do fighting men pretend

to despise those that sell their tools?

- A soldier's job is not to k*ll.

- No?

We prevent your customers

from tearing each other to pieces.

- You really believe that?

- I wouldn't say it if I didn't.

What I dislike is that you sell

without discrimination.

To the other side?

You think we should be like God?

Only on the side of the British?

The Germans, the Japanese

and the Hottentots

all think God's on their side.

And so do these rebels.

They're children.

Would you give this to a child?

They are not children.

They are grown men.

Uneducated men yes, but fighting

for the freedom of their country.

- You see?

- You may feel differently

when you get one of your own b*ll*ts.

If you think I'm ashamed, you're wrong.

Men make wars, not g*ns.

Before there were g*ns, men used

swords, spears, stones, anything...

- Oh, go away. I'm sleepy.

- Here.

Or can't you sh**t either?

Oh, yes. I can sh**t.

Newspapermen have to be able

to protect themselves.

Especially if their reports differ

from the truth as much as yours.

- You read my reports? I'm honoured.

- Of course.

But truth is like God -

not always on the side of the British.

It pleases you to mock us. We're used

to that. Half the world mocks us.

And half the world is civilised

because we have made it so.

Good for you, ma'am.

Excellent! Excellent!

Already we split into factions.

Our little train

trundling across this desert

is like our little world

trundling through space.

Mr Peters will sell us g*ns

and we can fight each other.

Delighted.

Men are absurd. You stand around

arguing and who does all the work?

We do, as usual.

Wait a minute.

This journey's dangerous enough.

Arizona isn't England.

From the time I was 13 my father

never let me out without one.

Could I have one? I doubt I could hit

anybody but I could frighten them.

- Here, Mr Bridie.

- I've never shot anyone in my life.

With luck, you won't have to.

I once won a cigarette case

with one of these on Brighton pier.

You did better than me.

All I ever won was a bag of sweets! Here.

I should think Gupta and the Sergeant

are ready for this. Would you mind?

With pleasure.

Thanks, sahib. Much thanks.

This is very nice engine, sahib.

Your friend did not admit, eh?

Here. You may need this.

g*n for Gupta? Oh, no, sahib.

Gupta only engine driver.

Very good engine driver.

30 years in the railway service.

It may be this or no more years

in the railway service.

No, sahib. Gupta Indian.

Indian to k*ll Indian, not very good.

Maybe sahib think Gupta foolish?

No. I don't think you're foolish.

If other man has other religion,

why should Gupta mind?

Gupta don't mind.

Sahib! Sahib!

Pull up, Gupta!

Sahib, on the other line.

Shutters up? Good. Don't leave the train.

- No trouble, I hope.

- Nothing for you to worry about.

Kumar?

Gupta, if you hear firing,

get back quickly. Don't wait for us.

Yes, sahib. Gupta will do that

but sahib also to look after himself.

I'm glad to see it makes you sick.

I told you to stay in that train!

I'm a newspaper reporter.

It is my duty to look.

- To look and to report.

- All right, Van Leyden. Have a look.

Have a good look!

And see what happens when

the British aren't around to keep order.

Keep order? You?

You divide.

You set Moslem against Hindu.

You divide in order to rule,

that's what you do.

The Moslems were fighting the Hindus

for hundreds of years before we came.

And well you know it.

Get back on that train!

All right. I'm going. I've seen enough.

You call this keeping order?

Kumar!

Hey, Kumar.

- Kishan, do stop playing with that.

- Have something to eat.

It's dangerous to stay here so long.

What does Scott think he's doing?

He's supposed to be protecting us.

- What is it?

- What's happened?

- Come along. We can't all look.

- Don't.

Please, Mr Van Leyden,

tell us what's going on.

- It's the refugee train.

- It ought to be miles away.

- Is something wrong?

- Can we help?

- Is there anything we can do?

- No. There is nothing you can do.

Any of you! Except go home!

And keep order at home and stay there!

For good.

I'm sorry. There's nothing we can do.

They're all dead.

But there were hundreds of people

on that train.

- How do you know they're all dead?

- We're moving on.

Somebody may be alive.

We cannot go without being sure.

Please believe me. I've seen this before.

When those devils do a job,

they do it properly.

Gupta! Move on!

Hold it! Mrs Wyatt, please

get back on the train! Mrs Wyatt!

You can't court-martial her.

She's not one of your soldiers.

And neither are we.

If the sahib permits, Gupta to try

bringing back the memsahib?

No, Gupta. Let the memsahib

find out for herself.

Come on. We'll move up.

Let's get on the train.

It was a chance in a million.

He was completely hidden.

The mother had covered him. Nobody...

Please don't make excuses.

I was wrong and that's that.

Where's Kishan?

I thought it better

that he, er, shouldn't see the um...

We must find somewhere

to put the little blighter.

I have just the thing. Come and look.

That was a very courageous thing

to do, my dear.

The fellows always used

to pull my leg about this case.

"There goes Bridie with the baby."

Looks as if they were right.

What do you think? A perfect cot.

Put in some of these to make it soft.

How's that?

Excellent.

One life saved... and thousands lost.

Shall we give him a pillow for luck?

Laska. The driver of that engine

was a friend of mine, sahib.

30 years on the railway train service.

He had four small children, sahib.

You know, sahib.

Sometimes I want to get hold

of my people - all my people -

and beat their heads together

to put little sense into them.

Come on, Gupta. She's hardly moving.

She can do better than this.

- She's totally doing her best.

- Her total best isn't good enough.

There is no more of the steam.

Then you must find some.

Gupta! You can't stop wherever you like!

You're under army orders.

She cannot do it! She will not do it!

- You promised she'd get to Kalapur.

- Yes! But not with this!

Is that all? Don't you ever frighten

me like that again.

We'll soon get that off.

We're stopping

to do some minor repairs.

We seem to stop every few miles.

I don't know when Scott

proposes to get us there.

He'll get you there all right, Mr Peters,

that's all you need worry about.

Mr Van Leyden, would you mind passing

me my case? It's just above your head.

Yes. That's it.

Thank you.

Ah. Thank you. I think the boys on

the engine could do with a drop too.

I'll bring it...

I'm sorry.

About the baby? You needn't be.

- It was a fine thing to do.

- That's not why I did it.

You'd have to go too far back with me

to understand.

I think I do understand.

You were married to a doctor.

A very fine one. A man who died

trying to save people's lives.

You can't be married to a man like

that without living up to his ideals.

I'm right, am I not?

You're right

but for all the wrong reasons.

I didn't live up to them.

I think I hated them.

I hated the squalor and the dirt,

the places we had to live.

I hated his being a doctor at all.

I even left him once

and went back to the States.

One does learn, though.

Even if it is a bit late in the day.

Does that make sense?

Yes, it makes sense. I may be one of

the brutal and licentious soldiery

but I'm not a complete blockhead.

He would have been as surprised

as you to see me on that train.

Anyway, how is young India?

How are we going to feed it?

Mr Bridie has an idea to do with

a leather glove.

- If we had a leather glove.

- Lady Windham has.

She has everything in her handbag.

Smelling salts, playing cards,

iodine, bandages.

Even the latest edition of The Times.

How about that drink for the boys?

And I could do with a cup of tea.

Coffee? Or would that

bring the Empire crashing down?

Tea.

You were happy in Haserabad,

weren't you?

Yes, it's my home.

I've lived there for 21 years.

I was happy there too.

It's a little bit different for you,

Lady Windham.

I've only a half-sister in England.

We've never been very close.

I don't think her husband likes me.

So really, you see, I'm alone.

It's not so different for me.

I have a few relations in England.

I even had to leave my old dog behind.

Not much of a dog, but he was mine.

- I had to leave my husband behind.

- I'm sorry. I didn't mean...

You've had your home in one place

for 20 years. I haven't had a home.

Just a succession of big houses

that haven't been easy to run.

My husband has been my home.

Wherever he is.

Lady Windham, how could I have been

so thoughtless? Please forgive me.

- Don't be silly, Mr Bridie.

- Can I get you some water?

How about a drop of whisky?

There's some in the van.

Lady Windham, what's the matter?

Nothing like a woman in tears to stop

a man feeling sorry for himself.

Mr Bridie? He certainly doesn't

seem sorry for himself now.

Your husband will be all right.

I'm sure he will.

Here we are, Lady Windham. Dear me...

That was a near one.

Thank you. That's better.

- It's rather strong.

- More water?

- I'm not complaining.

- Mrs Wyatt?

- No. I'm supposed to be fixing tea.

- Leave it to me.

He's happy now he's doing

something for somebody else.

You've been married, you should know

that much about men.

Maybe a doctor's wife doesn't see

enough of her husband to find out.

He was one of his patients.

Thin and wasted like a starved little frog.

Look at him now.

The railway line is broken.

- Reverse, quick! Back in the tunnel.

- Yes, sahib.

Damn! I beg your pardon.

They've blown up the line.

Shutters up, please.

It may be nothing to do with us.

It may have been done

to prevent reinforcements getting in.

- We can't just sit here.

- Can't we?

We can't go forwards and going back

seems to be out of the question.

It seems to be a most interesting

military problem.

Or just a matter of common sense.

Let's see. The dufada will have

to stand guard. That leaves six men.

We can replace that blown section

with a length of rail taken from behind.

- It's impossible.

- It's been done before.

Thank you, Mr Bridie.

This is what we're going to do.

We'll move the train forward...

It'll be safer to leave the ladies

in the tunnel.

Yes, but that gives us 200 yards

of open country.

We may need all the cover we can get.

Any more questions?

Good. Let's get on with it.

I hope there's some more of these.

A cup of tea might come in handy.

Well, it looks clear enough.

But as Mr Peters put it,

we just can't sit here.

Look!

- What is it? What did you see?

- Something move.

- Are you sure? Where? Show me.

- Up there.

- What did you see? Was it a man?

- I don't know.

You'll have me doing it next.

Don't come out till I call you.

Kumar! Spanners, turnkeys, crowbars.

Excuse me. I'd advise you gentlemen

to do the same. It'll be pretty hot.

A master of understatement.

It's an old English pastime.

Right, gentlemen. Out. Come on!

Good for you, Mr Bridie.

- Armament merchants first.

- Come on!

If there is anyone out there, this is

the moment they've been waiting for.

- Why not send one of the Indians?

- Mr Peters!

Be careful, sahib.

Where you going, sahib?

This one yours. This one yours.

Oh, no. Not that way, sahib. This way.

Van Leyden, for heaven's sake!

Don't you want posterity to know

what a hero you are?

We want help now.

You sound like the empire builder

in distress.

I am coming.

I really find it quite pleasant to be

out of the train, Captain Scott.

You wait till you start

lugging rails about.

Strangle that, Gupta!

I thought Victoria was on our side.

Quick as you can, gentlemen.

Leave the shutter alone, Kishan.

Come and sit over here

and we'll build a card house.

I'll show you how.

Now gather up the cards first.

Now we'll start on the second floor.

That's right. You put your wall up there.

Shall we put one roof there?

Now yours.

This is now a most intriguing situation,

Captain Scott.

No rail in front and no rail behind.

What happens if you are attacked?

Trust you to think of that one.

Now we've got two floors.

Let's try to get another, shall we?

Oh dear. We shall

have to start that one again.

Look. There it is.

A heliograph.

- What does it mean?

- They've found us.

- Ought we to open fire?

- It's a waste of time at this range.

We'll have to work fast. Come on.

- Come and sit down here.

- Why?

Just do as you're told, darling.

Right in this corner.

Right, Mr Bridie. Back to the coach.

I'll put the two last bolts in.

Back in the carriage quickly.

Keep your heads down!

Gupta, get back!

Dakhtar, covering fire!

Oh, my father God. Don't be careless

to save your Indian son.

Gupta, get moving!

- What's the matter? You been hit?

- Yes, sahib.

But he was careful only to hit me

at the foot of the leg.

And a little bit in the arm also, sahib.

- That is all.

- We'll soon fix you up.

Soon we'll be down on the plain.

We can relax a bit. I hope.

Yes, sahib. And Gupta will

have to teach you to drive Victoria.

Can you keep your eyes open

a few moments?

- Yes, sahib.

- You did well.

- Pressure's dropping.

- Victoria wants water, sahib.

- How far is the next station?

- 20 miles distance.

- Will she make it?

- Oh, yes, sahib. But slowly slowly.

- How's that?

- That's very all right.

Sahib is engine driver now.

Tomorrow we'll have you in hospital.

Oh, no. Gupta does not like

to live in hospitals.

- Why not?

- Those nurses, they are not human.

Ooh, you'd be surprised.

She is going too quick, sahib.

The compression is losing.

Good. Victoria talks to me.

I understand her language.

It's just as well because

I can't understand a word she says!

This is ridiculous. It'd

be quicker to walk.

There's nothing to stop you walking,

Mr Peters.

I don't know why the British

buy these.

Our models are twice as good.

Twice as good? Oh, you mean

it can k*ll twice as many people?

Exactly. And twice as fast.

It's an ingenious piece of mechanism.

But this thing...

Won't fire again?

No. Not a hope.

Now this you might call

an ingenious piece of mechanism.

It's a life saver too.

Not a life destroyer.

I'm surprised you're a sentimentalist.

Most ruthless men are sentimental.

Me, ruthless? What makes you say that?

The things you write.

Crude sensationalism.

I'm very flattered that you're such

an attentive reader of my work.

Reading newspapers

is like everything else -

one must take the good with the bad,

the informed and the shoddy.

Thank you.

You do an awful lot of harm.

You know that, don't you?

Sometimes I think

you're even inciting violence.

The cure for some diseases

is often violent and painful.

w*r is like that.

But it's sometimes the only cure.

I'm sorry. I was just quoting

from one of my shoddy articles.

Is the engine driver

still out in the sun?

Yes.

That wound will dry up superficially,

then heaven knows what will happen.

- When can I drive the engine?

- Later. Tomorrow perhaps.

- Will you ask Captain Scott?

- You ask him yourself.

No, you. He likes you.

Does he now?

You'd better take this out to him.

It might keep the sun off a little.

I'll take it.

Captain Scott?

Lady Windham says the driver

must keep out of the sun.

I told you she has everything.

Here you are, Gupta. I hope none

of your fellow engine drivers see this.

No, sahib.

They will be calling me Lady Gupta!

- All set for Henley Regatta.

- Who is Henry Regatta, sahib?

He says, "Who is Henry Regatta?"

It's not a who, Gupta. It's an occasion.

When all the most sahib sahibs

in England get together,

dress up in a lot of silly hats,

and row up and down a river.

That is very funny. Why do they do that?

Why? Why, indeed?

You may well ask. I don't know.

It's one of the things

I joined the army to get away from.

- Pressure's up.

- Oh.

There's an attractive song

that goes with it.

# And a hay harvest breeze

# Blade on the feather

# Shade off the trees

# Swing, swing together

# With your bodies between your knees

# Swing, swing together

# With your bodies between your knees

# Swing, swing together

# With your bodies between your knees #

All together now!

# Blade on the feather

# Shade off the trees

- # And we'll swing, swing... #

- Mind your business, sahib!

# Harrow may be clever

# Rugby may make more row

# But we'll row, row forever

# Steady from stroke to bow

# And nothing in life shall sever

# The chain that is round us now

# And nothing in life shall sever

# The chain that is round us now #

- I'll have to stop her.

- No, sahib.

If you stop her now,

she will never start again.

Then we'll give them a short burst

with the maxim as we go through.

If there's anyone there, they'll

know we mean business. Dakhtar Sahd!

Keep down, everybody in the coach!

Kumar!

They made a shambles of this place.

Sahib to please see if they

have not spoilt the well of water

and also if the pump is working.

If it isn't, it's a long walk to Kalapur.

It's all right, everybody.

It's quite safe to come down.

Mr Peters, Van Leyden, find some wood

and take it to the pump house.

I'm going to try and light that boiler.

Careful, sahib. Careful.

If I can get the pump to work,

we'll get some water.

But we've got to get it over to the engine,

so if you can all look around for

something to carry it in, it would help.

Oh, Mr Van Leyden.

Unfortunately,

your survival depends on ours,

so, if you don't mind, some wood.

- How are you, Gupta?

- I am not very well, memsahib.

But I will be very well

in a very soon moment now.

You really should be in the coach.

Gupta must stay with his engine till

Scott sahib becomes engine driver.

That will be in a very soon moment.

Don't go far, Kishan.

Memsahib, you have first time

come to Gupta's engine.

You must not go back empty-handed.

Gupta must give you something.

Indian custom.

Bucket for water, memsahib.

Thank you. Put it down there.

If this works, we'll get some water.

- And if it doesn't?

- Then we'll stay here until they k*ll us.

It would be preferable,

then, that it works.

It's all right, I think.

Stand clear of that wheel.

It'll make mincemeat of you.

Come on, old girl.

Good. Outside.

Keep that fire going, Van Leyden.

There it is. Fill your buckets. Kumar!

Dakhtar Sahd!

Where does the old girl

like to take her drink?

- She drinks up on the roof, sahib.

- Right.

Over here!

Kishan, you're all wet.

Go over there and play.

Thank you, Mr Bridie.

Two more like that and we're away.

- You look surprised.

- I am. To see you working so hard.

Everybody can if they have to.

Is the armament business hard work?

Heavens, no.

People are always fighting each other.

We are the only salesmen who are

actually pursued by our customers.

- I have worked hard at other jobs.

- What other jobs, Mr Peters?

For many years I devoted myself

to marrying a rich woman.

Truly, it's very difficult.

- Did you succeed?

- With my charm? Of course I did.

But it's a funny thing.

A man can keep a woman

but a woman can't keep a man.

Poor Vera, I ended up despising her.

Myself too, come to that.

It wasn't a good job anyway.

Too much hard work.

Kishan!

Stand away from that. What the devil

do you think you're doing?

- You ought to have more sense.

- Don't fuss. I was looking after him.

Come on, back on the train. You too.

All aboard, please! Dakhtar, peechi jao.

- Right, Gupta. Kalapur.

- Kalapur, sahib.

Would you like a drink of water, Gupta?

No water, memsahib. No water.

Try to sleep.

I understand

I will like hospitals after now.

- How's Gupta?

- Not too good.

A bit of a fever. We shouldn't

have let him stay out so long.

- Who's driving the train?

- The gunner.

- Is that safe?

- I think so.

Victoria is most intelligent.

- Whisky?

- Oh, why not?

- Thirst comes when the sun sets.

- How true.

- Whisky?

- No, thank you.

- Oh, come on. Do you good.

- I don't drink.

- What? And you a journalist?

- It's not essential to the job.

No? You surprise me.

Oh, come on. To show we're all friends.

I said no, didn't I?

Mr Van Leyden, are you a Moslem,

by any chance?

Why should you say that?

Because you won't touch alcohol

and this morning you were unwilling

to give Lady Windham her case.

Her pigskin case.

Yes, I am a Moslem, it so happens.

A Dutch Moslem. That's a bit unusual.

Not so unusual, no.

Many Dutch Indonesians are Moslems.

Are you an Indonesian, Mr Van Leyden?

Or half Indonesian?

Yes, I am.

Why should an Indonesian

be so anti-British?

Indonesian, Dutch, Christian, Moslem -

what has it got to do with it?

I merely sympathise with minorities

fighting the aggression of big nations.

In any case, the accidents of my birth

have nothing to do with you.

- Any of you!

- You're perfectly right.

You're being slow, young man. Snap.

- A very ill-natured fellow.

- Snap!

- Cigar?

- No, thank you.

Don't be so touchy.

There's no harm in being a Moslem.

- One would think there was.

- Not all Moslems are rebels.

- Thank you very much.

- But some are.

- Oh. Are you?

- Me? I'm no Moslem.

Moslem or no Moslem,

you sold them the arms.

People in glasshouses should mind

their own bloody business.

- And I mean bloody!

- How dare you?

You should not be so touchy.

I'll change my mind.

I'll have that cigar after all.

You ought to be getting some sleep.

Pass me those scissors, will you?

He's a lot tougher than he looks.

- Anything else?

- Yes.

Put a little water in here, would you?

You're the first American woman

I've met. Are they all like you?

Why? How do I seem?

Shall we say a little bit

more independent than most?

Is that the tactful English way

of saying you think I'm pigheaded?

Let me ask you something.

Why did you join the army?

- Is that such an odd thing to do?

- It's a crazy thing to do.

Come on. Tell me why.

Well, let me see now.

When I was eight, my dear grandfather

gave me a box of tin soldiers.

You've been playing soldiers ever since.

If you like to put it like that, yes.

Don't you ever feel it's rather a waste?

We were all put on earth

with minds of our own,

why hand yours over to somebody else?

A soldier can have a mind of his own.

Can he? He takes orders

from other people

whether he agrees or not, like a machine.

We're not machines. We're human

beings, like everybody else.

A soldier can never be that

in the fullest sense.

Human beings have responsibilities.

- Don't you call this responsibility?

- Not yours.

The Governor ordered you to get us

to Kalapur. The responsibility's his.

Well, thank you very much indeed

for that most comforting thought.

It's not that I'm not grateful to you

for saving me, I am,

but it doesn't

alter my opinion of soldiers.

Are you one of these emancipated

women we're having trouble with?

- I might be. What's wrong with that?

- They're just a lot of cranks.

A woman who has

a mind of her own is a crank?!

Men who spend their lives

obeying orders are cranks!

You can't go doing what you like

in life. My job is to obey orders.

- Like an animal in blinkers!

- I agree, Mrs Wyatt.

Have you been there...?!

I'd like to punch you

on the end of your interfering nose.

Actually, I was going through

for a smoke.

Never mind. The front

observation platform is now vacant.

Mr Van Leyden, how about a cup of tea

before we turn in?

Thank you.

I think Mr Peters was wrong to say

the things he said to you just now.

Mr Peters is entitled

to think and say what he likes.

It's of no importance to me. I didn't mind.

You looked as if you did. You still do.

- Do I? Is there any sugar?

- How silly of me. Of course.

Back to the footplate.

Good night, Van Leyden.

- Good night.

- Mr Bridie.

Good night. Don't stay out too long.

Get some sleep.

Good night, ma'am.

Try and get some rest.

I've got a lot of friends back home

in Haserabad who are of mixed blood.

Don't be shy, Mr Bridie.

They are half-breeds. So am I.

It's nothing to be ashamed of.

That's what I tell them.

They're charming people.

They are charming to you

because you are charming to them.

No, no. They're my friends, I told you.

Mm. Half-breeds in this country,

Mr Bridie, are hungry for friends.

They spend most of their time

worrying about what they are.

I think it's degrading.

I'm not ashamed to be what I am.

I think I'm all right.

I have a certain amount of power,

you know.

I don't think power

has anything to do with it.

Oh, yes, it has. It is vital.

If people know that you can hit back,

they're careful how they treat you.

You mustn't be angry with her,

she's one of the old school.

I'm not angry.

In fact, I rather admire her.

She's proud, tough, ruthless.

Unashamedly patriotic.

A real pain in the neck.

Oh, His Highness.

I am sorry. I cannot rise

to bow to His Highness.

When did you learn to drive the engine?

I was same old as Your Highness.

My father taught me.

He was also engine driver,

like your father is King.

Don't you want a bigger engine?

No, His Highness.

I am in the habit of Victoria now.

Bigger engines bring troublesomeness.

Peoples become unsatisfactory with

small engines and want big engines.

But when there are no bigger engines

than the very big ones,

peoples again becomes unsatisfactory.

So have small engines

and be satisfactory.

Gupta, your English is hopeless.

Yes, His Highness.

But I am doing practice with Scott sahib.

His English is very hopeful.

Come along, Kishan.

- We're stopping.

- It's the Kukprut Bridge.

It's almost five years since I was

here last on my way home from leave.

Dakhtar!

This time it's the bridge.

They've blown it up.

A section of it anyway.

I'll have to ask you to walk.

Walk? If it's blown up,

what are we going to walk on?

These chaps aren't clever

with expl*sives.

The force has gone down,

so we're still left with a couple of rails,

but there's nothing supporting them.

We're going to walk along a rail

with nothing to hold on to?

It's only a few yards. It won't be pleasant

but I think you can do it.

Isn't there a chance this is an ambush?

A chance but I don't think so.

I don't think this was designed for us.

We walk across,

what happens then?

It won't

take the weight of a train?

I think they were

trying to stop heavier trains.

I think it'll bear the weight of Victoria.

Anyway, there's no alternative.

And if it is an ambush?

I'll send the two soldiers on ahead

to give us covering fire.

Come on the bridge

as soon as you're ready.

Kumar.

Dakhtar.

Let me have the baby now.

Thank you.

That is the army. I don't expect

you'll find it as easy as that.

Now... Any volunteers?

Good for you, Mr Peters.

Don't look down.

Right.

Good.

Ma'am?

Step up on the rail. Don't look down.

Good for you, ma'am.

Mr Bridie?

Now, sir, on the rail.

- Don't look down.

- Oh dear.

- I can't move.

- It's all right, sir.

Good for you!

Go on.

Captain Scott won't let you fall.

I'll show you.

If I can do it, I know you can.

Don't look down.

Good girl. I'll cross and you pass

the boy over, Van Leyden.

Thanks.

Right. Let's have him.

Now, then. Look at me, young fellow.

Keep looking at me.

Now hold him out.

Reach out.

Right. Hold him out, Van Leyden.

Reach out with him, man!

Look at me, young fellow.

That's a good boy.

Don't look down.

Come on, man. Stretch out.

Peters, get my waist.

Hold him out!

What's the matter with you?

Stretch him out!

Grab the boy!

Come on.

- What the devil are you doing?

- Please!

You deliberately held that boy short.

What? You nearly dropped him

and you have the audacity to blame me?

- That's how you wanted it to look.

- Don't be childish!

And what went on in the pump house

with that flywheel?

Pump house? What is he talking about?

Let go of me.

Oh, no. I'm not letting you go.

You're a Moslem, aren't you?

I was wondering

when you'd bring that up.

The people who want to k*ll

that boy are Moslems too. Kumar!

I'm putting you under close arrest.

You do and I'll put you into every

newspaper from Calcutta to Berlin.

That's a risk I'll have to take.

I thought you had a brain

in spite of being a professional soldier.

- Yes. I am a professional soldier.

- And I am a professional journalist!

You're overstepping your mark.

I'm a free journalist! My job is to report!

And my job is to get that boy to Kalapur!

The man's a maniac.

The sun has gone to his head.

Don't hold him. He'll say you're

trying to strangle him.

All right, Captain Scott. You seem

determined to get into the headlines.

But you will regret this.

Please get off the bridge!

There may be a dozen r*fles

aimed at you. Leave the bridge.

Anyone can slip on a rail inches wide.

That's no proof that he's a m*rder*r.

Surely you didn't have to arrest him?

We could have watched him.

Oh, for heaven's sake!

I could be wrong, very wrong,

but we can't take a chance

with this boy's life.

Now, please, leave the bridge.

- Please take him off the bridge.

- Will it take the weight?

Of course. I often drive trains

over blown-up bridges.

Oh, stop behaving like a schoolboy!

How do you want me to behave?

Tell you there isn't a hope in hell?

I've got to do this job.

This time it's my responsibility.

I don't know whether it's a human

problem or a military one.

You can work that out. Peters.

Your best chance is to take it fast.

The vibration will break up the structure.

I disagree. There's less weight on...

Who's doing this? You or me?

All right?

- Well... Here we go.

- Careful, sahib.

Stand by, Gupta. This is it.

On with the brake! On with the brake!

Now totally.

Very slowly.

Very little bit more.

Little bit more.

Yes. Very slowly, sahib.

It is right. Right.

Don't worry, Gupta. She'll make it.

She is made, sahib. She is made.

Good driving, sahib. Oh, sahib.

I'm sorry about this, Mr Van Leyden.

I feel sure there'll be an explanation.

We made it!

Captain Scott. I think you acted

very wisely over Mr Van Leyden.

If I didn't, I'm in the soup. Gupta?

- Yes, sahib?

- The old girl ready to go?

She's not a young man like you, sahib.

She needs some steam.

- How long?

- Not more long than five minutes.

Hello. Isn't this carrying your celebrated

dislike of soldiers a little too far?

What do you mean?

Looking so miserable just because

I didn't end up down in the valley.

Now you look like an abandoned woman!

I always thought you were.

I hope there aren't any more bridges.

You really had me scared.

I can promise you, I was scared myself.

Are you sure about Mr Van Leyden?

Won't you get into a lot of trouble?

Wouldn't you like to see me

drummed out of my regiment?

Medals torn off my manly bosom?

Just your cup of tea!

- They don't really do all that?

- Of course they do.

Then my best friend calls on me,

hands me a loaded revolver

and says, "Carruthers, it's the only way

out for a gentleman."

Catherine...

Thank you, Captain Scott.

William Charles Willoughby.

Take your pick.

Oh, Willoughby, definitely!

Dear me, it does seem a pity.

I know Mr Van Leyden's a difficult man

but it would have been nice

to have finished the journey together.

- Can I blow the whistle?

- Not till we get down on the plain.

When I grow up,

I will buy my own engine.

That's a good idea. Come on.

Stand over there. Watch me.

At last little Kishna's got his way.

- Your play, Mr Bridie.

- I'm sorry I'm so slow.

Do you think they've tied him up?

Don't worry. I'm sure Captain Scott

knows what he's doing.

Yes, but it seems a bit extreme

to shut him up. What can he do?

The idea of shutting him up is so

we don't find out what he can do.

I suppose he's got nothing to read.

What does reading have to do with it?

Captain Scott thinks

he tried to k*ll Kishan.

Mrs Wyatt, you do not understand

the British mentality.

While Van Leyden was a

Dutch journalist, Mr Bridie disliked him.

As soon as he discovered

he was a half-breed,

Mr Bridie felt

a certain sympathy for him.

Now we all suspect him of being an

anti-British fanatic and a m*rder*r,

Mr Bridie will crusade for him.

He has become an underdog

and the British love underdogs.

It's better than kicking them.

That tells us how much steam

is in the boiler. Voom voom voom!

- Oh... let me fill the jug.

- Thank you.

So it is true, Mr Van Leyden.

Stand up where I can see you.

All of you.

The boy too.

He's not here. He's on the engine.

You. Call the boy.

- Call him.

- No. Don't.

If you think you can get away with this...

I can and I will

and there won't be any witnesses.

There's the other soldier.

He controls the engine.

He will obey this.

- Call that boy.

- No.

All right. Don't call him.

He won't stay out there forever.

If you must m*ssacre us all...

you'd better remove your safety catch.

Keep back!

- May I drive the train?

- Presently.

- When?

- When I say so. Here, have a go.

You were set

right from the beginning to do this.

- You find that strange?

- The man's mad.

Not madder than you are.

Like you ladies and gentlemen,

I believe in my country.

- You are Dutch.

- I am Indian. My mother was Dutch.

I'm just one of the half-breeds

you despise.

What does k*lling us prove?

That you're not a half-breed?

It proves that I am a true Moslem.

That I care enough to fight

and maybe even to die for my faith.

For a country that will be all Moslem

and I will belong there.

Are you capable of understanding that?

You're a criminal. You belong in jail.

I find the moral indignation of

an armament peddler rather touching.

Look.

Mrs Wyatt. That lamp. Turn it up.

We will be passing through more tunnels

and would I hate to leave you all

standing in the dark.

Do as I say.

Gupta!

Gupta, why didn't you go?

- He would have k*lled you, memsahib.

- Yes. I would have k*lled you.

"Memsahib."

Don't!

I've had enough tricks.

He's choking!

See to it!

Did you like that?

Prince Kishan's never gonna walk

through that door. Nor Captain Scott.

Time will tell.

I'm going to scream

long before they get here.

You're afraid, aren't you?

It can't be easy

to k*ll a child in cold blood.

And the refugee train.

When you came back from it

you were as sick as any of us.

It was a useless slaughter.

Isn't k*lling always useless?

Has it ever solved any problems?

It has and it will again.

I like children as much as you do

but that one boy...

My God, don't you understand?

That one boy, he's a symbol,

an outworn tradition that stands

between my country and freedom.

I shall k*ll him.

I must k*ll him in order

to save the lives of thousands.

One life will be lost - one Indian life -

but thousands will be saved.

Stand back! Stand back from that door!

Tea time, young fellow.

Can I come back later

and drive the engine?

Of course. I promised you. Tickly!

Can you box?

Dakhtar?

Look at it. Look.

Not a sound

from any of you.

Hey, hey!

How can you drink tea with dirty hands?

Wait a minute.

And not a move from any of you.

Don't scream. I will not k*ll you

if you don't scream.

- Don't come in!

- Down, everybody!

Gupta!

Tell the dakhtar not to stop. It's a trap!

It's no good.

You can't depress that g*n any more.

- Help Kumar.

- Oh dear. I think I've been hit.

Yes. Yes, you have.

We'll soon have this cleaned up for you.

They're not on the roof?

Am I losing much blood?

You could have hurt yourself more

falling off a bicycle.

You're quite wrong.

Mr Bridie will have to take care.

You need a stiff drink

and I'll get that arm into a sling.

Thank you. You are kind.

- Where's Mr Van Leyden?

- He, er...

He got off.

He got off?

Oh dear.

I couldn't help liking Mr Van Leyden

even though he did try to drill us

all full of holes.

- Drink that.

- Thank you, Lady Windham.

Now, I suppose,

all our troubles are over.

There. That's it.

Put this on. You mustn't get any more

sun on your head after a shock.

Thank you very much.

Mr Bridie!

Feed the belt through!

Oh, that's a bit of luck!

This is the Bindar Tunnel.

They'll never catch us now.

It's two miles long.

Come along, Captain Scott.

Captain Scott?

Well, that's a funny thing.

Is he all right?

He will be. Get me some water, Mr Bridie.

- I don't think he can have been hit.

- It looks like just this wound.

That's just about the luckiest thing

that ever happened.

Keep still. Keep still.

Oh, I tell you, this is a mug's game.

I think perhaps you're right.

What would you say if I put

those tin soldiers back in the box?

I'd say you'd want to get them

out again tomorrow.

Don't tell me you've changed

your opinion about soldiering?

Let's just say I've learned

a couple of things on this journey.

Let's just say we've both learned

a couple of things on this journey.

There, you see? What did I tell you?

It's the uniform. They all fall in the end.

Message to Kalapur.

Hey, there!

You!

Is this the 9:10 from Guram?

No, it bloody well isn't.

It's the last train from Haserabad.

And stand to attention when you speak

to a senior officer!

Then John's all right?

Yes. The rebels never broke into the fort.

- Reinforcements got through, sir?

- Yes.

The attack broke up

once you'd got the boy away.

Captain Scott, the Viceroy will want

to hear of your part in this journey.

Thank you. Don't forget Mr Bridie.

He's got a kick like a mule.

That saved the lot of us. Well, Gupta.

See, sahib? They say Victoria too old,

no good except but for shunting.

Let them speak now. She showed them.

She certainly did. Shabash, Kumar.

Shabash, Dakhtar Sahd.

We were worried you wouldn't

get to the Delhi conference.

The government are very interested

in your people's new field g*n.

Captain Scott, thank you for saving

my life. You are my friend now.

- Well, I hope so.

- But you are British.

- Will I have to fight you?

- Good heavens, no. Why should you?

- My father said...

- Well, what did he say?

I must fight the British

to make them go away.

I wish I could have driven the engine.

Looks as though you'll have to fight

little Kishan now.

That's all the thanks you get.

That's all the thanks we ever get.

"Be thankful you're living

and trust your luck.

"March to your front like a soldier."

- Who said that?

- A man called Kipling.

Another tea drinker.

Well, we'd better try

and find a home for young India.