East of Sudan 1964

In late 1884, during the Mahdist insurrection in the Sudan, Mahdist forces attack Barash, a British outpost about 200 miles upriver from Khartoum. Three soldiers and a woman with a young child escape to the river and steal a small riverboat. One soldier, Major Harris, is shot as they flee and dies soon after. They debate whether to throw him overboard. The boat bears bullet holes below the waterline, forcing them to bail water constantly to stay afloat. They row ashore to bury the major, paying quiet respect amid the surrounding danger.

The survivors introduce themselves: Private Baker [Anthony Quayle] and his stoic resolve; Murchison [Derek Fowlds], a young officer with a keen mind; Asua [Jenny Agutter], daughter of the local Emir; and Asua’s British governess, Margaret Woodville [Sylvia Syms], who hopes to reach Khartoum. The group weighs their options as a looming storm approaches; Baker explains why they should not linger, while Miss Woodville hesitates to share a shelter with the others beneath the boat’s sail.

Across the journey, the caravan faces escalating peril along the Nile and its banks. They contend with the elements, aggressive Arab slavers, and a beleaguered African tribe targeted by slave traders. Their fortunes change when they are saved by Kimrasi [Johnny Sekka], the son of King Gondoko, who then joins them on their trek toward Khartoum.

Tensions flare as Baker frequently clashes with Murchison and Miss Woodville. Murchison confesses feelings for Margaret, which are not returned, and the relationships become entangled as Baker and Margaret grow closer. The trio must navigate loyalty, love, and survival as their odyssey presses onward.

Beyond Khartoum, they discover a confrontation between the Mahdists and the British, and the men join the clash. Murchison’s knowledge of a nearby Mahdist-held fort helps them ignite a decisive plan to blow up the arsenal and tilt the balance in their favor. For his bravery, Murchison is commended by a British major, while Baker faces arrest for desertion. In the end, Margaret renews her vow to Baker, reinforcing their bond as they press toward an uncertain but hopeful future.