King of the Khyber Rifles (1953)
Directed by Henry King and released by 20th Century Fox, King of the Khyber Rifles is a sweeping Technicolor adventure set in 1857 British India, during the time of the Sepoy Rebellion. Loosely based on Talbot Mundy’s 1916 novel, the film stars Tyrone Power as a half-caste British officer navigating prejudice, rebellion, and romance in the volatile Khyber Pass region.
Plot Summary
Captain Alan King (Tyrone Power), born to a British father and native Muslim mother, returns to India as a Sandhurst-trained officer. Despite his skills and loyalty, he faces discrimination from fellow officers due to his mixed heritage. Assigned to train and lead the Khyber Rifles, a native regiment, King is tasked with suppressing a rebellion led by Karram Khan (Guy Rolfe)—his childhood friend turned insurgent.
Complicating matters is King’s forbidden romance with Susan Maitland (Terry Moore), daughter of Brigadier General Maitland (Michael Rennie). As tensions rise, King must infiltrate Khan’s forces, confront his past, and prove his worth to both the British command and the people of India.
Cast Highlights
- Tyrone Power as Capt. Alan King
- Terry Moore as Susan Maitland
- Michael Rennie as Brig. Gen. J.R. Maitland
- Guy Rolfe as Karram Khan
- John Justin, Richard Stapley, and Frank DeKova in supporting roles
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- This was Fox’s fourth CinemaScope production, showcasing panoramic views of rugged terrain
- Though set in India, the Khyber Pass scenes were filmed in the Alabama Hills, near Lone Pine, California
- Tyrone Power was considered too old for the role of a young officer, and some critics found him unconvincing as a British military man
- A scene in the colonel’s office features crossed flags and a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, an anachronism since Queen Victoria was the reigning monarch in 1857
- The film was promoted on the CBS radio show Suspense, with Power starring in the episode “The Guilty Always Run”
