North West Frontier

This is India - the North-West Frontier Province, 1905.

A country of many religions.

Men find many reasons for killing each other - greed, revenge, jealousy,

or perhaps because they worship God by different names.

Rebel fanatics are gathering in the hills.

They intend to kill a six-year-old boy

because he is a prince and his people's future leader.

His father, the Maharajah,

has appealed to us, the British, to take his son to the garrison town of Haserabad,

and to send him from there to safety in Delhi.

-HORSES NEIGH

-Come on...

WHOOPING AND YELLING

GUNFIRE

SILENCE

TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS

BUGLE BLARES

CLAMOUR

FIRE!

Fire!

Fire!

Fire!

Hat jao! Hat jao!

Hat jao! Hat jao! Hat jao!

Piche jao! There's another gate along to the left!

For heaven's sake, keep that door open!

Hat jao! Hat jao!

Piche! Piche! Keep back!

-Very sorry, sir.

-"B" Company, an apt name(!)

-Have they held the last train?

-No, sir. It's gone.

-Damn! We'd better report.

-Still with me?

-Yes. For better or worse.

GIVES INSTRUCTIONS IN HINDUSTANI

-He'll be all right.

-Of course. His people have always been soldiers.

There's no more I can do...

-Captain Scott!

-I demand protection!

-Excuse me...

-I am so glad you made it!

-Mrs Wyatt, Mr Bridie. He does all the work round here.

His Excellency wishes to see you.

-I'll report at once.

-This way, Mrs Wyatt.

-FRENCH ACCENT: I am a British citizen!

-We ALL are, even if we have no papers as proof!

-Why wasn't I warned about this by cable?

-The lines were cut.

Straight through into the ballroom.

-Take me to the governor at once!

-There's nothing he can do. The last train's gone.

I don't suppose having Mrs Wyatt with you made it any quicker.

She did pretty well, sir. Not my idea of a governess!

Her husband was a fine doctor. He saved the boy's life once.

The Maharajah never forgot it.

-The Maharajah wouldn't leave.

-No.

Special orders from Delhi to get Prince Kishan out at once. Seems I've failed.

-KNOCK AT DOOR

-Yes?

-General Ames, sir.

-Come in, Charles.

-You got here, eventually(!)

-Scott did the best he could.

-Where's the boy?

-In the library.

MUSIC BOX PLAYS

Your Highness. Welcome to my home.

Thank you.

-He's very tired.

-Mrs Wyatt, this is General Ames.

-How do you do?

I'm afraid the last train has gone. We held it as long as we dared.

I promised I'd take him to safety.

-It's the last thing I promised his father.

-He'll be safe here.

Do you think so(?) This is no ordinary tribal uprising!

-This is bigger!

-We think not!

I'm telling you! Princes who have always been enemies are now on the same side.

-She's right, sir.

-If you'd acted on the message I sent days ago, Kishan would be safe now!

-WE are the best judges of that!

-Huh! The British never act till they've had tea

by which time it's too late!

SCOTT CHUCKLES

I'm sorry, but that's how it seems to an American.

Forgive me. Nobody told me you'd come. I was in the hospital.

-My dear, you might have sent word. Your Highness. Mrs Wyatt?

-Yes.

-I've heard of you.

-How do you do?

The child looks exhausted. So do you, Captain Scott.

-I'm sure you'd like a bath.

-Yes, I would.

-Come along.

-Thank you, Captain.

-You're a good soldier.

Forgive me for speaking my mind. I believe that's what it's for.

-All the other princes fighting together?!

-She may be wrong.

-I hope so.

-Get some rest, Scott.

-Thank you, sir.

YELLS ORDERS

MEN YELL AND ROAR

Fire!

They've captured the railway gates. Can we hold out?

Without reinforcements, we haven't a hope.

Prince Kishan must be got out.

-We must save his life if it's the last thing we do.

-It may well be.

-Is Captain Scott here?

-He's waiting, sir.

-Send him in, please.

-The boy is just a figurehead.

-His family have been rulers for generations.

It's our only chance of restoring order in the province.

Is he so important, this one small boy?

I know he is. He may only be five but he's the religious

and political leader of hundreds of thousands of Hindus.

-KNOCKING

-Come in.

These rebels are Muslims. If they manage to kill Kishan, the Hindus will have no leader.

It will be civil war on a vast scale, worse than the mutiny.

Scott, what are the chances of getting the prince to safety?

Mrs Wyatt, your presence was not requested.

The discussion affects me more closely than anyone else here!

-Quite correct. Well, Scott?

-The last train has gone.

-There must be another way.

-Horses?

-No, we had to leave ours. They have a sniper on every hill.

-But you got through.

-That was before they closed in.

-Yes, right enough.

The prince will have to stay here. We're expecting reinforcements at any moment.

What you really mean is reinforcements probably will not get here in time.

You don't understand at all.

It's a good way of looking at things... It just takes getting used to!

-Thank you, Scott.

-Sir.

EXPLOSION >

-There's no use your waiting.

-When can I see him? Tell me when.

The governor is very busy. He'll see you when he can.

-I will lodge a complaint when I get to Delhi...

-IF you get to Delhi!

-See, sahib. Plenty of the steam.

-But is it coming from the right places?!

-What right places?

All right. Victoria is old, I admit. But she has experience, sahib.

With experience, nothing can go wrong.

SHRILL WHISTLING

WHISTLING STOPS

It is not the fault of Victoria.

I have asked them many times to give me one little day for repair

but no, like you, they said Victoria is old,

no good except for shunting. Nobody understand.

-Kalapur is over 300 miles away.

-What's 300 miles to this engine?!

She used to do the Karachi run two times in one week. One week, two times!

-How many years ago?

-Look at the boiler. Not even one inch of steam is escaping from it.

If the boiler is good, the engine is good!

Look for yourself...

That is only piston-bearing which is not good. That is why steam is escaping.

-Is that all that's wrong?

-I have been for 30 years in the railway service.

-You think I don't know?

-No, I think you do know. We shall need a coach.

Coach, sahib? Only that one.

That's broken down.

Will those wheels over there fit?

Yes, sahib. They are very fitting wheels.

How many miles per hour could Victoria go, pulling just one coach?

-At least 50.

-50?!

Well, at least 40 miles. When it is mended, you don't know what speed!

-She is very speedy!

-She'll be mended, and the coach. The only other problem is coal.

-We need five times much more coal.

-But where can we put it? Have you got a truck?

Yes, in the shed.

-I'll send some sappers down.

-You will never be sorrowful for this judgment.

I hope you're right, Gupta.

SHRILL WHISTLING

Get that damned thing fixed!

SHRILL WHISTLING

She is like lady. She shout too much when she is happy!

-Come on, you must know one way or another.

-These rumours must have some foundation!

Rumour is seldom backed by truth.

-Is the Prince here?

-Of course he's here!

-Gentlemen, when the time comes, you will be told..

-Trust us.

-We know they killed the boy's father...

-Gentlemen, I know nothing!

-Sir John wants you upstairs.

-(Thank heavens!)

-Excuse me.

-Just tell us...

-There will be no statement yet.

-Why is the city being attacked?

-Doesn't the situation hinge on Prince Kishan?

His Excellency has never denied that. This province has been loyal to Kishan's family.

While he is alive, there is no possibility of a successful rebellion!

Then he IS alive!

The governor will make a statement tomorrow. There's no hurry.

It's impossible to get your dispatches out, the wires have been cut.

Just tell us the truth!

CLAMOURING VOICES

-Mr Peters, you wish to go to Kalapur.

-Yes, I must be in Delhi on Friday.

You're in luck. Can you fire those rifles you're so good at selling?

-Our company is impartial.

-Your customers aren't!

-Would you all sit down?

-Sir John, there's no need for ME to go.

-Someone has to be officially responsible for the dispatch box.

-Yes, I now.

I've chosen you. And I know you'll look after my wife. It's not for ever, you'll be back!

It's settled. I'd like you all to be in the station yard by 11.15.

Captain Scott, explain the plan.

I don't intend to be a schoolmaster... but here's our position.

The point is, the rebels think that the last train has gone.

But we have another engine.

Also, the outer gate on the railway is in their hands

and is, obviously, shut.

I'm afraid I'm not an artist. Now, we hold the inner gate.

Between these two gates, there's a gradient.

Victoria is a wonderful old engine but she makes an awful lot of noise...

so although we'll have steam up, we're going to free-wheel.

We ought to get up enough speed to smash through the outer gate

before they know what's hit them!

Well...that's roughly the plan.

I admit, anything could happen. They may have blocked the line to keep out reinforcements.

-But we'll face that if and when...

-RAISED VOICES: You can't go in...!

So it's true. He IS here. - Sorry, he must have bribed someone. he came up the back stairs.

-Send this man away. He worries me.

-Please leave, Mr Van Leyden.

-You are going to try to get him out? Impossible!

-Come on!

-Leave him.

Since you know the salient points, there's no need to throw you out.

By train? With the outer gate in enemy hands? What a story!

One that won't reach the papers! - Not unless...I went on the train also!

-Well?

-There are a thousand people out there I'd send first.

-Of course(!)

None of you like me. I don't know about you, madam. How do you do?

Now you have your story and no chance of getting it to your newspaper, perhaps you'll leave the room!

What would happen to your train if those thousands of people down there knew about it?!

They'd tear it to pieces rather than let it go without them

-But it's a secret. Nobody could possibly know(!)

-Mr Van Leyden...

it is just possible that the newspapers should know of our predicament.

-No, no. It's of no importance.

-Mr Van Leyden!

-Yes?

-You may go on the train.

-Why, thank you, Sir John(!)

We understand each other.

Your luggage must be at the yard by 11. I'll go and check the dispatch box.

-Where are you going?

-To get my bag.

-That's an excellent idea.

-I see! If I go now, I'll miss the train.

-Yes, Mr Van Leyden.

-In that case, I shall travel light.

Look, I keep excellent company. "The Decline And Fall Of An Empire." Roman, not British(!)

-You haven't given me a chance to speak to you.

-Go and get your things ready, my dear.

They ARE ready, but I'm not going.

This little boy is very important, isn't he? And yet you're prepared to risk this...

-Such a tremendous risk. We can't hold out here, isn't that it?

-We have every hope.

-Everybody HOPES(!)

-You're going.

-I'm not. I'm staying here with you.

My dear, can't you see I really have no right to go...

Right?! Haven't I MY rights? Am I governor of a province for nothing?

-I can't be so selfish...

-I

-am being selfish! For once,

-I

-am being selfish!

You're going and that's that!

(That's that, my dear.)

Your luggage has been loaded. Will you board the train, please?

THEY TALK IN HINDUSTANI

You've got a complete set of tools in there.

-Crowbars? Pickaxes?

-All there.

-The mountings are still firing too high.

-There wasn't time to fix them.

-Let's hope they keep their distance.

-Good luck.

-Thanks.

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 is not a very good place to be right now.

It's my home. When I left my little house a few minutes ago,

I had a feeling that I'd never see it again.

-Satisfied?

-Are you trying to kill us all?

-We're trying to save you.

-Such British optimism!

-YOU'RE British.

-My PASSPORT is!

-You really think we can get through?

-I wouldn't try it otherwise.

-Of course you would(!) You've been ordered to.

-Get aboard!

-How's the pressure, Gupta?

-Pressure not ready yet. But it will be in a soon moment.

-Oh, do let me.

-We'll be off soon.

Please lie down on the floor. It may be uncomfortable but it is absolutely necessary.

Turn that lamp out, please.

If the train stops on this trip, don't look out of the windows,

put the shutters up, and wait for me to come and report.

Right.

-How is she now, Gupta?

-Now it is forcing. It will be ready in a very soon moment.

(Lie down right here.)

-Mrs Wyatt, there is more room here.

-I'm quite happy here.

Never mind. Americans are, by tradition, isolationists(!)

Now it is terribly ready, sahib.

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!

WHISTLE BLOWS

Let her go, Gupta!

MEN YELL

TRAIN BUILDS UP STEAM

Keep down! We'll soon be clear!

THEY CHAT IN HINDUSTANI

-Morning, Mr Peters.

-Morning.

Here! Sorry it's a Lee Enfield - a rival firm. Ten rounds.

-I've never used one of these things.

-They're for killing people(!)

-Why despise those who sell you your tools?

-A soldier's job is not primarily to kill.

-No?!

-We keep order - prevent your buyers from destroying each other.

-You really believe that?

-Yes, I do.

-What I dislike is that you sell your stuff without discrimination.

-You think we should be like God -

..only on the side of the British(?)

But everyone thinks God's on their side!

-Including these rebels.

-They're only children - but these aren't toys.

They're not children. They're grown men, fighting for the freedom of their country.

-You see?

-YOU'LL see when you get hit by one of your own bullets.

I'm not ashamed of my trade.

MEN make wars. Before there were guns, men used swords, spears...

anything... Oh, go away. I'm sleepy!

Here. Or can't YOU shoot, either?!

Oh, yes, I can shoot. Newspaper men have to protect themselves sometimes.

I'm not surprised, if you write lies(!)

-I'm honoured that you read my reports.

-Of course I do.

But truth is like God, not always behind the British.

We're used to being mocked. Half the world mocks us.

-And half the world is civilised only because of us.

-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 guns to fight each other!

-Delighted!

While men stand around arguing, who does the work? WE do, as usual.

-This journey's dangerous enough as it is!

-Arizona isn't England.

-My father never let me out without one of these!

-I doubt if I could hit anyone.

-Mr Bridie.

-I've never shot anyone in my life.

-I hope you won't have to.

I once won a cigarette case on Brighton Pier.

-All

-I

-ever won was a bag of sweets. Here, 15 rounds.

-I'm sure Gupta and the sergeant are ready for one of these. Would you...?

-With pleasure.

SPEAKS IN HINDUSTANI

Thanks, sahib. Much thanks.

This very nice engine. Your friends did not admit?

-You may need this.

-No gun for Gupta.

Gupta only engine driver, very good engine driver for 30 years.

-It may be a question of this or no more years as a driver.

-No.

Gupta, Indian. Indian to kill Indian not very good.

-Sahib think Gupta foolish?

-No, I don't think that.

If other man has other religion, why should Gupta mind? Gupta not mind.

Sahib!

Pull up!

Sahib, on the other line!

-Shutters up? Good. Please stay here.

-Trouble?

-Not for YOU to worry about.

SHOUTS ORDERS IN HINDUSTANI

Gupta! If you hear firing, get back as quickly as possible!

Yes, sahib. But sahib also to look after himself.

VULTURES SCREECH

CONTINUOUS BUZZ OF FLIES

I'm glad to see it makes you sick.

I told you to stay in the train!

I'm a reporter. It is my duty to look...and to report.

All right! Have a good look!

See what happens when the British aren't around to keep order!

Keep order? You?! Huh!

You divide. You set Muslim against Hindu. You divide in order to rule, that's what you do!

Muslims were fighting Hindus for hundreds of years before we came!

-Now get back on that train!

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

You call THIS keeping order(?)

HE ORDERS IN HINDUSTANI

-Kishan, do stop playing with that.

-Come along, Kishan. Come and eat.

It's dangerous to stay here so long.

What does Scott think he's doing? He's supposed to be protecting us!

-What's holding us up?

-What's happened?

-Tell us, we can't all go and look.

-No!

-Please, Mr Van Leyden.

-It's the refugee train.

-What's it doing here?

-Is something wrong?

-Can we help?

-Is there anything we can do?

Do? Do? There is nothing you can do! ANY of you!

Except...go HOME! And...and keep order there... 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.

-There may be somebody alive! We cannot go without being sure.

-I've seen all 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 a soldier, and neither are we!

If sahib permits, then Gupta to try bringing back the memsahib?

No, Gupta. Let the memsahib find out for herself.

Come on. We'll move up.

BABY CRIES GENTLY

Let's get on the train.

-A chance in a million. The mother had covered him with her body. Nobody...

-No need to make excuses.

I was wrong and... Where's Kishan?

MUSIC BOX PLAYS

I thought it better that he, er...

shouldn't see the, er...

I have just the thing to put the little blighter in. Look!

That was a very courageous thing to do, my dear.

Funny, they always used to pull my leg about this case.

"There goes Bridie with the baby", they used to say!

It looks as if they were right! There now!

-These will make it soft.

-Excellent!

One life saved, and thousands lost(!)

Shall we give him a pillow for luck?

Laska, driver of that engine, was 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 a little sense into them!

-Gupta, she's hardly moving! Can't she do better?

-She is old. She it totally doing her best!

-It's not good enough!

-There is no more of the steam!

-Find some!

Gupta! You can't stop wherever you like! You're under army orders!

-No army orders! She cannot do it!

-You promised she'd get to Kalapur.

-And she will! But not with this!

Is that ALL? Don't you ever frighten me like that again! We'll soon get that off.

ASKS FOR CROWBAR IN HINDUSTANI

We're stopping for a few minutes to do some minor repairs.

We seem to stop every two or three miles. When will Scott get us to Kalapur?

He'll get you there all right.

Mr Van Leyden, would you pass me my case? It's on the rack above your head.

Yes, that's it.

Thank you.

-Ah! Thank you! 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 wouldn't understand.

-I think I DO. You were married to a doctor, a very fine one.

He died trying to save people's lives.

-It would be impossible for you not to live up to his ideals. Aren't I right?

-Yes...

but for all the wrong reasons.

I didn't live up to them. I hated them.

I hated the squalor and the dirt. I hated his being a doctor at all.

I 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 blockhead.

He would have been astounded to see me getting on that train.

-How IS young India?

-Fine.

-How will we feed him?

-Mr Bridie has an idea to do with a leather glove.

-Have we got one?

-Lady Windham has.

She has everything in that handbag of hers - smelling salts, cards,

iodine, bandages, even The Times!

-How about that drink for the boys? And I'D like a cup of tea!

-Coffee?

-Or would that bring the Empire down?!

-Tea.

-You were happy at Haserabad, weren't you?

-Yes, it's my home. I've lived there for 21 years.

-I was happy there, too.

-It's a bit different for you, if I may say so.

I have only a half-sister, living in Birmingham. Her husband doesn't like me much.

So really, I'm...alone.

It's not so different from me. I do have a few relations in England but...

I had to leave my dog behind.

He wasn't much but...he WAS mine.

I had to leave my husband behind.

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

-Haserabad was your home for 21 years.

In that time, I haven't had a home, just a succession of big houses...

My husband has been my home... wherever HE is...

How could I have been so thoughtless...

It's all ri...

Can I get you some water? How about a drop of whisky?

Lady Windham...! What's the matter?

-A woman in tears soon stops a man feeling sorry for himself.

-Mr Bridie?

He sure doesn't seem sorry for himself now!

Your husband will be all right, I'm sure he will.

Here we are! ..Oh, that was a near one!

-That's better.

-It's rather strong...but I'm not complaining!

-Mrs Wyatt?

-No, I should be fixing tea.

-Leave it to me!

He's happy now he's doing something. 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 line is broken!

Reverse! Quick! Back in the tunnel.

Damn! Oh...pardon.

They've blown up the line. Shutters up. It may have nothing to do with us.

-It may be to prevent reinforcements getting in.

-We can't just sit here!

Can't we?! We can't go forward. And we can't go back.

A most interesting military problem!

A matter of common sense. One man to stand guard leaves six men.

We'll replace that blown section with rail from behind the train.

Impossible!

-It's been done before.

-Thank you, Mr Bridie. We'll move the train up to the damaged rail.

Wouldn't the ladies be safer in the tunnel?

Then we'd have 200 yards of open country to cover.

Any more questions? Good. Let's get on with it.

Have we more cups? A cup of tea could come in handy!

It looks clear. As Mr Peters so wittily put it, "We can't sit here!"

-Look!

-What is it, Kishan? What did you see?

-Something moved.

-Are you sure? Where? Show me.

-Up there.

-What was it? Was it a man?

-I don't know.

You'll have ME doing it next! Don't come out until I call you and then make it quick!

Spanners, crowbars...

I advise the removal of jackets. It might be pretty hot out there.

A master of understatement(!)

An old English pastime, didn't you know?!

Gentlemen! Out!

Come on, come on!

Good for you, Mr Bridie.

-Armament merchants first.

-Come on, come on!

If anyone's out there, this is the moment they've been waiting for.

-Send one of the Indians.

-Mr Peters!

Do that bit, sahib. Where are you going, sahib?

This one yours. And this one yours.

No, no. Not that way, this way.

-Van Leyden!

-Posterity must know what a resourceful hero you were!

We want help now!

You know, you sound like? The empire builder in distress. I am coming.

-It's really quite pleasant to be out of the train.

-You wait till you start lugging rails about!

STEAM WHISTLES

Strangle that, Gupta!

STEAM WHISTLES

STOPS WHISTLING

I thought Victoria was on OUR side(!)

As quick as you can, gentlemen!

Leave the shutter alone, Kishan.

Come and we'll build a card-house, Kishan. I'll show you how.

Now, gather up the cards first.

Now, we'll start on the second floor.

Now, you put your wall up there.

I shall put...one roof there... Now, yours.

Ahh...

This is NOW a most intriguing situation.

No rail in front and no rail behind. What if you are attacked?

Trust you to think of that!

We've got two floors... Let's try and get another.

Oh, dear, we shall have to start that one again.

BABY CRIES

-Look, there it is!

-A heliograph!

-What does that light mean?

-It means 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!

Sit down here, Kishan. - Why?

Just do as you're told, darling. Right in this corner.

RUMBLE OF LOOSE ROCK

All right. Back to the coach.

I'll put the two last bolts in the other end.

COCKS RIFLE

FIRES SHOT

Back in the carriage, quickly! Keep your heads down!

CONTINUOUS GUNFIRE

Gupta! Get back!

Gupta! Covering fire!

O my Father God, don't be careless to save your Indian son.

YELLS ORDER TO CHARGE

Right, Gupta, get moving!

-Have you been hit?

-Yes, sahib.

But he was careful to hit me only at the foot of the leg

and a little bit in the arm also.

We'll soon fix you up.

When we reach the plain, we can relax a bit, I hope.

Yes, sahib. And Gupta will teach you to drive Victoria.

-I'll be back when I see how they are in the coach.

-Yes, sahib.

-You did well!

-Pressure's dropping.

-Victoria wants water.

-How far is the next station?

-20 miles distant.

-Will she make it?

-Oh, yes. But slowly, slowly.

LETS OFF STEAM

-How's that?

-That very all right. Sahib is engine-driver now.

This time tomorrow we'll have you in hospital.

-No, Gupta does not like to live in hospitals.

-Why not?

-Those nurses, they are not women.

-Oh-ho! You'd be surprised!

She is going too quick! The compression is losing.

Good! Victoria talks to me... I understand her language.

Just as well. I can't understand a word she says!

-It's ridiculous. I could WALK quicker!

-There's nothing to stop you.

Why DO the British buy these things?! Our models are twice as good!

-Twice as "good"? You mean, it can kill twice as many people?

-Exactly!

And twice as fast. It's ingenious! But this thing...!

It won't fire again?

No, not a hope!

Now THIS you might call "ingenious".

And it's a life-SAVER, not a life-destroyer!

You? A sentimentalist?!

-Most ruthless men ARE.

-ME? Ruthless?

You write ruthless cruel sensationalism.

I'm flattered that you read my work so attentively.

With newspapers, one must take the good with the bad - the informed AND the shoddy.

Thank you(!)

You know you do a lot of harm, don't you?

Sometimes I think you even incite violence.

The cure for some diseases is often violent.

WAR is like that! And it's sometimes the ONLY cure!

I'm sorry. I was just quoting from one of my "shoddy" articles.

-Is Gupta in the sun?

-Yes.

If that wound dries superficially, anything could happen in this climate.

-When can I drive the engine?

-Tomorrow, perhaps.

-Will you ask Captain Scott?

-You can ask him yourself.

-No, he likes YOU!

-Does he now?

Would you take this out? It might help keep the sun off.

I'll take it.

Captain Scott.

Lady Windham sent this for Gupta, to keep that wound out of the sun. I told you, she has everything!

Gupta, I hope none of your fellow engine-drivers see you like this!

They will be calling me Lady Gupta!

All set for Henley Regatta!

Who is Henry Regatta?

"WHO is Henry Regatta?"

It's not a "who". It's an occasion.

All the most sahib sahibs in England get together,

dress up in silly little hats,

and row up and down a river.

Very funny. Why do they do that?

Why, indeed?! I don't know.

It's one of the things I joined the army to get away from.

-Pressure, sahib!

-Oh...!

There's a song that goes with it -

# Ta-ra-ra-raaaa, ta-ra-ra

# 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! # Ta-ra-ra-raaa...

-ta-ra-ra...

-# Dee-dee-dee-dee

-Ta-ra-ra-ra, ta-ra... #

SCOTT SINGS AS MRS WYATT HUMS TUNE

# ..Shade off the trees!

# And we'll swing... #

Mind you business, Sahib!

# ..Harrow may be more clever

# Rugby may make more row

# But we'll row, row for ever

# 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! #

BIRD CALLS AND BELL RINGS FAINTLY

-I'll have to stop here.

-Sahib, if you stop her now, she will never start again.

-We'll take a chance.

We'll fire the Maxim to let anyone there know we mean business.

TALKS IN HINDUSTANI

Keep down, everybody!

SHOUTS ORDER TO FIRE IN HINDUSTANI

SHOUTS ORDERS IN HINDUSTANI

They've certainly made a shambles of this place.

Sahib to please see if they have not spoiled the well of water

and also if the pump is working.

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

ISSUES BRISK ORDER

It's all right. It's safe to come down now.

Search about for some wood, please, and take it to that pump house.

I'm going to try and light that boiler.

-Careful, sahib. Careful.

-Uh-huh.

If the pump works, we'll get water.

But we have to get it to the engine so please look for something to carry it in.

Mr Van Leyden, your survival depends on OURS. So if you don't mind, some wood?

-How are you?

-Not well, memsahib. But I will be well in a soon moment.

-You should be in the coach.

-No... Gupta must stay with his engine

till Scott sahib becomes driver and that will be in a soon moment.

-Don't go far, Kishan...

-Memsahib has 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 water.

And if it doesn't?

We stay here till they kill us.

I'd prefer it to work.

It's all right, I think.

Stand clear of that wheel. It'll make mincemeat of you.

PULLS AT HANDLE

Come on, old girl.

PUMP JUDDERS INTO LIFE

Good! Outside. Keep that fire going, Van Leyden!

There it is! Fill your buckets!

ISSUES ORDERS TO SOLDIERS

-Gupta, where does Victoria take a drink?

-Up on the roof, sahib.

-Right.

Over here!

Kishan, you're all wet. Go over there and play.

Thank you. 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.

Isn't the armament business hard work?

Heavens, no! People are always fighting each other.

Arms' salesmen are actually pursued by customers!

-I HAVE worked hard, though, at other jobs.

-What jobs?

For years, I devoted myself to the business of marrying a rich woman.

SHE LAUGHS It's VERY difficult!

-Did you succeed?

-Of course I did! It's funny - a man can keep a woman,

but a woman can't keep a man.

I ended up by despising her. Myself, too, come to that.

It wasn't a good job, anyway. Too much hard work!

OMINOUS SCORE

SCORE BUILDS

Kishan...! Stand away from that!

What WERE you doing? You should have more sense!

Don't fuss! I was looking after him.

Come on, back on the train. You too.

All aboard, please!

ORDERS THE SOLDIERS TO BOARD

-Right, Gupta. Kalapur!

-Kalapur, sahib.

MUSIC: "Eton Boating Song"

Would you like some water, Gupta?

(No water, memsahib.)

-(Hot...)

-Try to sleep.

I understand. I will like...hospitals...after now.

-How's Gupta?

-Not too good.

He has a fever. We shouldn't have let him stay out so long.

-Who's driving?

-The gunner, ma'am.

-Is that safe?

-I think so. Victoria is most intelligent.

-Whisky?

-Why not?

-Thirst comes with the setting of the sun.

-How true. Cheers.

-Have a whisky?

-No, thank you.

-Come on, it'll do you good.

-I... I don't drink.

-What? And you a journalist?!

-It's not an essential part of the job.

-No? You surprise me.

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

I said, "No", didn't I?

Mr Van Leyden, are you a Muslim, 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 Muslim.

-A Dutch Muslim? That's a bit unusual.

Not so unusual. Many Dutch Indonesians are Muslims.

Are you Indonesian, Mr Van Leyden,

or half-Indonesian?

-Yes, I am.

-Why should an Indonesian be quite so anti-British?

Indonesian, Dutch, British, Muslim, Christian...what does it matter?

I merely sympathise with minorities fighting the aggression of big nations.

The accident of my birth has nothing to do with you! Any of you.

You're so right! ..Aha, young man, Snap!

DOOR SLAMS

An ill-natured fellow. KISHAN: Snap!

-Cigar?

-No, thank you.

Don't be so touchy. There's no harm in being a Muslim.

Your attitude made me think otherwise!

-Not all Muslims support the rebels.

-Thank you(!)

But SOME do.

-Oh? Do YOU?

-ME?! I'M no Muslim!

YOU sold them the arms! People in glasshouses should mind their own bloody business!

-And I mean "bloody"!

-How DARE you!

CHUCKLES

You should not be so touchy. I think 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... Would you put a little water in here?

You're the first American woman I've met. Are they all like you?

Why? How do I seem?

Well...shall we say, a little bit more independent than most.

Is that the English way of saying I'm pig-headed?!

Let me ask YOU something.

-Why did you join the army?

-Is it such an odd thing to do?

-It's crazy! Tell me why.

Well, let me see... When I was eight years old, my grandfather gave me a box of tin soldiers.

-And you've been playing soldiers ever since?!

-If you like, yes.

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

We were all given minds of our own. Why hand it over to someone else?

A soldier can have his own mind!

-How? He takes other people's orders whether he agrees with them or not, like a machine!

-We're not machines!

We're human beings!

A soldier can never be that. Human beings have responsibilities.

-This train-load isn't a responsibility?

-Not YOURS - the governor's.

If you fail to reach Kalapur, it's HIS responsibility.

Thank you for that comforting thought(!)

Of course I'm grateful to you... But it doesn't alter my opinion of soldiers.

Hmm...

Are you one of these emancipated women we're having so much trouble with at home?

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

-A lot of cranks.

-A woman who has a mind of her own is NOT...!

-Sssh!

(Men who just obey orders are CRANKS!)

You can't just do what you like. I must obey orders.

-(Like an animal in blinkers!)

-I do so agree with you.

Have you been there... I'll punch your interfering nose!

Tut! Tut! Actually, I was going through for a smoke.

Never mind, the front observation platform is now vacant.

How about a cup of tea before we turn in?

Thank you.

You know, I think Mr Peters was wrong to say what he said to you just now.

What Mr Peters thinks and says is of no importance to me. I didn't mind.

-You looked as if you did. You still DO.

-Do I? Is there any sugar?

-Of course.

-Back to the footplate. Goodnight, Van Leyden. Goodnight. Mr Bridie.

Goodnight. Don't stay out there too long. You must get some sleep.

Goodnight, ma'am. Try and get some rest.

Is that enough?

I've got a lot of friends in Haserabad who are...er... of mixed blood.

-Don't be shy, Mr Bridie. They are half-breeds. So am I. It's nothing to be ashamed of.

-No, indeed.

-They are charming people.

-That is because you are charming to them.

It's because they're my FRIENDS.

Hmm... Half-breeds in this country are hungry for "friends".

They spend their time worrying about what they are or are not. 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...

-I don't think power has anything to do with it.

-It has. It is VITAL.

If people know that you can hit back, they are careful how they treat you.

Don't be angry with her. She's one of the old school.

I'm not angry. In fact, I...rather admire her.

She is 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 driver also, like your father is King.

-Don't you want a bigger engine now?

-Oh, no.

I am in the habit of Victoria now. Bigger engines bring troublesomeness.

People with small engines want bigger engines.

But one morning there are no more bigger engines.

So why not be satisfactory with small engines?

Gupta, your English is hopeless!

Yes, but I learn from Scott sahib. His English is very hopeful.

Come along, Kishan.

-We're stopping!

-Oh, yes. It's the Kupra bridge.

It's almost five years since I was here, on my way home from leave.

Quite a contrast.

Gupta!

This time it's the bridge. They've blown up a section of it.

-You'll have to walk for a bit.

-Walk?! What are we going to walk ON?

The force of the explosion went down instead of up.

There are a couple of rails left... but with no supports.

-We have to walk along a rail with nothing to hold on to?!

-Only a few yards. It won't be easy,

-but I think you can do it.

-Mightn't this be another ambush?

-I don't think so, ma'am.

I don't think this was meant for us. I think this happened two or three days ago.

-MRS WYATT:

-You say we can walk across. What happens then?

-BRIDIE:

-If the supports have gone, will it take the weight of a train?

I think it was meant to stop the heavier ammunition trains, refugee trains, things like that.

I think there's enough left there to hold the weight of old Victoria.

It's a risk we'll have to take - there's no alternative.

-And if it IS an ambush?

-The soldiers will go first with the Maxim. They can cover us.

Come down on the bridge as soon as you're ready.

Kumar.

BIRD CRIES

WIND WHISTLES

Havildar.

Let me have the baby now, please.

Thank you.

That, of course, is the army!

I don't expect you'll find it as easy as that. Any volunteers?

Good for you, Mr Peters. Don't look down.

All 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.

Ha, hah! Good for you!

Go on. Captain Scott won't let you fall.

-I'll show you. If

-I

-can do it, 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 fella.

Keep looking at me.

Now hold him out.

Reach out.

Hold him out, Van Leyden. Well, reach out with him, man!

Look at me, young fella.

That's a good boy.

Don't look down... Come on, man, stretch out.

Peters, get my waist!

Hold him out!

Well, what's the matter with you? Stretch him out!

Go on. That's it. Grab the boy!

Come on!

-What the devil are you doing?

-Please.

-Please nothing! 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!

What went on in that pump house with that ruddy great flywheel?

Pump house? Pump house? What is he talking about?

-Let go of me!

-Oh, no, I'm not letting you go! You're a Muslim.

-I was wondering when you'd use that against me.

-It's Muslims who want to kill Kishan.

SHOUTS ORDERS TO SOLDIERS

I'm putting you under close arrest.

-If you do, I'll put you into every newspaper from Calcutta to Berlin.

-I'll risk it!

-I thought you had a brain despite being a professional soldier(!)

-I AM a professional soldier!

And I'M a professional journalist!

You're going too far! I am a FREE journalist. My job is to report!

And mine is to get that boy to Kalapur in safety!

The man's a maniac. The sun has gone to his head.

Don't hold the boy around the neck or he'll say you're strangling him(!)

ORDERS GIVEN IN HINDUSTANI

All right, Captain Scott.

You seem determined to get into the headlines but you'll regret this!

-For God's sake...

-I can't believe...

-Please get off the bridge, all of you!

-There may be a dozen rifles aimed at you!

-Anyone could have slipped!

-You've no proof he's a murderer!

-Did you have to arrest him? We could have watched him.

For heaven's sake! Look, I could be wrong...

but we can't take a chance with this boy's life! Please, leave the bridge.

Please, take him off the bridge.

-Will it take the weight? Are you sure?

-Of course! I've often driven trains over blown-up bridges!

-Stop behaving like a schoolboy!

-Do you want me to tell you I haven't a hope in hell?

I've got to do this job! It's MY responsibility!

YOU can decide if it's a human or a military problem!

Peters...

-Take it fast.

-The vibration will break up the structure.

-I disagree. Dynamic weight...

-Who's doing this?

You or me?

All right?

-Well...here we go!

-Careful, sahib.

Stand by, Gupta. This is it!

Hold up! Don't free the brake. Don't free the brake!

Now throttle it.

Slowly, slowly, slowly...

Now...a very little bit more.

A little bit more...

Yes...

Very slowly, sahib.

It is right. Right!

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

She has made, sahib! She has made! Good driving!

Oh, sahib!

MUSIC: "Eton Boating Song"

I am sorry about this, but I feel sure there will be a satisfactory explanation.

-We made it!

-Hurrah!

-Well done!

WHISTLE BLOWS

-CLUNK!

-Oh...

THEY LAUGH

HAVILDAR SPEAKS IN HINDUSTANI

-Captain Scott?

-Yes, ma'am.

-I think you acted wisely over Mr Van Leyden.

-If I didn't, I'm in the soup!

-Gupta?

-Yes?

-Is the old girl ready to go?

-She is not young, like you. She needs steam to go.

-How long?

-Not more long than five minutes.

-Right.

Hello. Isn't this carrying your dislike of soldiers too far?

-What do you mean?

-Looking so blooming miserable

because I didn't end up as mincemeat down in the valley?!

HE CHUCKLES

-Now you look like an abandoned woman! I always thought you were!

-I hope there are no more bridges!

-You know you really had me scared.

-I was scared, myself.

Won't you get into trouble if you're wrong about Van Leyden?

-Wouldn't you like to see me drummed out of my regiment, medals torn off my manly bosom?!

-Do they do that?

Oh, yes! Then my best friend hands me a loaded revolver

and says, "It's the gentleman's way out!"

-Catherine...

-Thank you, Captain Scott.

-William Charles Willoughby... Take your pick!

-Oh, Willoughby, definitely!

Dear me, it does seem a pity.

I mean, after all we've been through, it would be nice to finish the journey together.

-Can I blow the whistle?

-When we reach the plain.

-When I grow up, I will buy my own engine.

-Good idea!

Come on, stand over there and watch me.

At last little Kishan has got his way!

-Your play, Mr Bridie.

-I'm sorry I'm so slow.

-Do you think they've tied him up?

-Stop worrying. I'm sure Captain Scott knows what he's doing.

-Why shut him up? What can he do?

-He's been shut up so that we don't have to find out what he can do!

-I doubt if he has anything to read.

-What has reading got to do with it?

Captain Scott thinks he tried to kill Kishan. He had to lock him up!

Let me explain the British mentality.

While Van Leyden was a journalist, Mr Bridie disliked him intensely.

When he said he was a half-breed, Mr Bridie felt a certain sympathy for him.

Now that he's suspected of being a murderer, Mr Bridie will start crusading for him!

The British love underdogs.

It's better than kicking them!

That tells us how much steam is in the boiler. Boom-boom-boom!

KUMAR SPEAKS SHARPLY

-Shall I 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 out on the engine.

You! Call the boy. CALL him!

-No, don't.

-You won't get away with this!

I can and I will. There won't be any witnesses.

Even if you succeed, there is another soldier who controls the engine.

He will obey this. Call that boy!

No.

All right, don't call him. He won't stay out there for ever.

If you must massacre us all... you'd better remove the safety catch!

Keep back!

-May I drive the train?

-Presently.

-When?

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

You were set from the beginning to do this!

You find that strange?

The man's mad!

No more than you. Like you, ladies and gentlemen,

-I believe in my country.

-You are Dutch.

I am Indian. My mother was Dutch. I'm a despised half-breed!

What does killing us prove? That you're not a half-breed?

That I am a true Muslim. That I care enough to fight for my faith,

for a country that will be all Muslim, a FREE country! Can you understand that?

You're a criminal. You belong in jail.

I find the moral indignation of an armament peddler rather touching(!)

Look!

Mrs Wyatt, turn up the lamp. We will be passing through more tunnels,

and I would hate to leave you all standing in the dark(!) Do as I say.

THUD

YELLS IN HINDUSTANI

REPLIES IN HINDUSTANI

-Gupta, why didn't you go?

-He would have killed you, memsahib.

Yes, I...I would have killed you...

memsahib(!)

BABY STARTS TO CRY

Don't! I've had enough tricks!

BABY CONTINUES TO CRY

He's choking!

See to it!

Did you like that?

Prince Kishan is never going to walk through that door. Neither is Captain Scott.

Time will tell.

I'm going to scream. Long before they get here, I'm going to warn them.

You're afraid. It can't be easy to kill a child in cold blood.

And the refugee train?

When you came back, you were as sick as any of us.

It was a useless slaughter.

Isn't killing 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...

that one boy, he is a...a symbol...

an outworn tradition that stands between my country and freedom!

And I shall kill him. I MUST kill him to save the lives of thousands!

One life, one Indian life lost, but thousands saved!

Stand back from that door!

-Tea-time!

-Can I come back later and drive the engine?

Of course! I promised you, didn't I?

Ticklish?

Can you box?

GIVES ORDER TO HAVILDAR

INFORMS HIM ABOUT PRESSURE

Look at it! Look!

Not a sound from any of you.

Hey! Hey, hey, hey...

How can you drink tea with dirty hands?

-HE WHISTLES

-Wait a minute.

Nobody move.

Don't scream... I will not kill you if you don't scream.

Don't come in!

Down! Everybody!

Gupta!

Tell Havildar not to stop, it's a trap!

It's no good, Van Leyden! You can't depress that gun any more!

-Help Kumar!

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

-Yes, yes, you have.

We'll soon clean this up.

Good heavens! They're not on the roof?!

Am I losing much blood?

No, it's only a scratch. You'd have hurt yourself more falling off a bicycle.

You're wrong, Mr Peters. Mr Bridie needs to take great care.

-First, a stiff drink, then, a sling.

-Thank you, Lady Windham, 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 tried to drill us all full of holes.

-Drink that.

-Thank you, thank you.

Thank you, Lady Windham. Now all our troubles are over.

There. That's it.

-You'd better put this on. You mustn't get any more sun on your head.

-Thank you.

Bridie!

Feed the belt through!

What luck! This is the Bindar Tunnel. They'll never catch us now -

it's two miles long and twists all the way. 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.

No, it looks like just this wound.

That's about the luckiest thing that ever happened.

-Ow!

-Keep still, keep still.

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

Perhaps you're right. Will I put those tin soldiers back in their box?

You'd probably want them out again tomorrow.

-You've changed your opinion about soldiering?

-Let's just say...

I've learned a couple of things.

Let's just say we've both learned a couple of things.

There you are, you see.

The uniform! They all fall for it.

Oh! Ohhh!

MUSIC: "Eton Boating Song"

Message to Kalapur!

TRAIN WHISTLE TOOTS

TOOT-TOOT-TOOT!

Hey, there!

You!

Is this the 9.10 from Guram?

No, it's the last bloody train from Haserabad.

Stand to attention when you speak to a senior officer!

John's all right?

Yes. Sir John's quite all right. The rebels never broke in.

-Reinforcements came?

-Yes, but the attack stopped when you got away.

-We'll meet again, Captain. The Viceroy will want to meet you.

-Thank you, ma'am.

Don't forget Mr Bridie. He helped save the lot of us!

Well, Gupta...

See, sahib, they say Victoria too old, no good but for shunting. Let them speak now.

-She showed them!

-She did.

SPEAKS IN HINDUSTANI

Peters, we were worried you wouldn't get to the conference.

The Government are interested in this new field gun you're making.

Captain Scott, thank you for saving my life.

You are my friend now.

-I hope so.

-But you are British.

-Will I have to fight you?

-Good heavens, no! Why should you?

-My father said...

-What?

..I must fight the British to make them go away.

I wish I could have driven the engine.

You'll have to fight little Kishan now. That's all the thanks you get.

That's all 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.

BABY CRIES >

Well, we'd better find a home for young India.

MUSIC: "Eton Boating Song"

MUSIC SWELLS