The year is 1956--only three years before the release of this film--and the Russians have overtaken Hungary and imposed harsh laws. A small group of foreigners are waiting to leave the country, but their flight is cancelled and they must take a harrowing journey by bus to Austria. Along the way, they are delayed by Russian roadblocks and some Hungarian freedom fighters.
Diana Ashmore (Deborah Kerr) is accompanied by a mysterious man named Paul (played by Jason Robards in his first credited film role) who is feigning sickness. Paul has a habit of talking in his sleep in a language that alerts his fellow passengers. Also in the group is Hugh Deverill (Robert Morley), who does his best to play the ambassador in their contacts with the warring parties.
Eventually the busload is delayed in a small town where a Major Surov (Yul Brynner) is in charge. He is imperious, brash, challenging and inquisitive. While the group is under his charge, he questions them, toys with them, and ambiguously tries to be amicable. He falls for Lady Ashmore and perhaps lets his feelings get in the way of his job.
I have to admit I do not understand the rave reviews this film has received. It's not a bad film. In fact, I thought the first part was rather Hitchcockian. But later, the story becomes muddied, particularly in regard to Major Surov. The main fault of the film is an absence of the energy that is supposed to exist between Diana and the Major. As a result, later in the film the characters act in unbelievable ways.
I liked the score. It is fun to see Ronnie Howard in his first credited film role. Anne Jackson is fun to watch. The cast, as a whole, is competent. It's too bad they are let down by a script (or editing) that eviscerated the prime motive for much of the action.
Diana Ashmore (Deborah Kerr) is accompanied by a mysterious man named Paul (played by Jason Robards in his first credited film role) who is feigning sickness. Paul has a habit of talking in his sleep in a language that alerts his fellow passengers. Also in the group is Hugh Deverill (Robert Morley), who does his best to play the ambassador in their contacts with the warring parties.
Eventually the busload is delayed in a small town where a Major Surov (Yul Brynner) is in charge. He is imperious, brash, challenging and inquisitive. While the group is under his charge, he questions them, toys with them, and ambiguously tries to be amicable. He falls for Lady Ashmore and perhaps lets his feelings get in the way of his job.
I have to admit I do not understand the rave reviews this film has received. It's not a bad film. In fact, I thought the first part was rather Hitchcockian. But later, the story becomes muddied, particularly in regard to Major Surov. The main fault of the film is an absence of the energy that is supposed to exist between Diana and the Major. As a result, later in the film the characters act in unbelievable ways.
I liked the score. It is fun to see Ronnie Howard in his first credited film role. Anne Jackson is fun to watch. The cast, as a whole, is competent. It's too bad they are let down by a script (or editing) that eviscerated the prime motive for much of the action.