Bhowani Junction

Anglo-Indian Victoria Jones (Ava Gardner) kisses British soldier Col. Rodney Savage (Stewart Granger) goodbye as India gains independence in 1947. He recounts the story years earlier as the political situation heats up. Patrick Taylor (Bill Travers) is an arrogant Anglo-Indian with an eye for Victoria. Surabhai is a troublesome resistance leader who is struggling to maintain non-violence while Davay is a mysterious resistance fighter using violence of all kinds. The country falls into chaos. Victoria kills a British officer in self-defense and her family covers it up.

The character is mixed race and it's standard practice to cast a white actress. Ava Gardner is doing some overwrought acting. Sometimes it fits but in some instances, I would like her to dial it down. The character is dealing with some big melodrama and internally conflicted about her race. It's an interesting path to be caught in between and not fit into either worlds. The Indian freedom fighters don't come off looking well. Surabhai is shown as foolish and Davay is cold-hearted. The movie does lean slightly towards the British although there is the sleazy Captain McDaniel. I don't really buy Victoria getting away with the killing. There are some great set pieces. The train crash is epic. This is an interesting historical drama.