Rank's attempt to conquer the world markets were much mocked but it did result in some of that studio's best movies - this and A Night to Remember are among the best.
This gives Kenneth More one of his best roles, a cheery engineer in 1905 India. He is a bit patronising and refers to the natives as children. There's a lot of defensive paternalism going on here - saying the British are needed to keep Muslim and Hindu tearing each other apart, etc.
I enjoyed his romance with Lauren Bacall - she's a sensible no-nonsense governess, a little wry about the British. But they are both sensible and respect each other.
I.S. Johar is full of life and energy as the train driver, though he's required to say "I feel like banging my people's heads together". The rest of the support cast is strong - Herbert Lom, Wilfrid Hyde White, Ursula Jean etc.
I liked the Macguffin of the kid (dubbed voice). I wish the death toll had been higher - surely that arms dealer could've gone? And the crew could have used a second traitor. Or someone other than a half-caste Muslim.
The location filming is spectacular - CinemaScope is well used. Production values are splendid. It starts with a bang - maybe a mistake to then go to the safety of the British cantonment (or that should've been wiped out). Has some very solid action sequences, and a suspenseful walk across the rail tracks.
Rousing music score.
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