Expresso Para Kathmandu

The story is lame, the acting is hokie, but it all works to be a fully enjoyable tv movie. Milla is so charming in this without being sensual or sexy. I give it a 7. A movie that is more than the sum of its parts.

When I first saw "The 5th Element," I kept thinking, "Where have I seen her before? Those eyes..." Then I remembered. There was a little movie, romantic, suspenseful, beautiful, very mystical, that I'd seen nearly a decade before called "Night Train to Kathmandu," starring a very young Milla Jovovich. This is a truly remarkable movie.

Wow, it's been a long time since I've seen this movie. The pieces of it that I still remember were good enough that I'm thinking of buying it. It's time to see it again and re-live the magic.

This was one of my favorite movies. I was 14 when it came out, and I watched it over, and over, and over again!! There's not much to it, but it was exactly that, the "sweet simplicity" of the fairy tale type storyline that I loved, and still love. Back then I didn't even know who Milla was...I just thought she was so cool after I saw this film. Plus you have to admit, the scenery is pretty amazing. In fact it was after watching that I became very interested in traveling to India one day. Perhaps even riding that same train line through the mountains to Kathmandu. The only disappointing thing I find, is that it only exists on VHS. I only have a DVD player!! I guess it's just not popular enough to make putting it on DVD worthwhile. Well, even though it's not an incredible hit of a movie, I would still recommend it as a good wholesome family film!

Had Night Train To Kathmandu been made 40 years earlier this would have been a perfect film for Sabu. Sabu also would have had first billing in the credits as well instead of villain Pernell Roberts.

Part Sabu adventure, part Lost Horizon, part Brigadoon, Night Train To Kathmandu has American visiting professor Robert Stoeckle taking his family to Kathmandu, Nepal's capital to teach at their university, the family consists of wife Jan Pesano also a professor and children Milla Jovovich and Trevor Eyster. The family meets up with young Eddie Castrodad who kind of attaches himself to the family to get where he has to go.

Which is a mythical Brigadoon like city who we would say exists in another dimension. But every so often the ruler of the city has to venture forth into our world, but make sure to go back lest some dire consequences occur. What they are I won't tell, but even the scholars aren't quite sure. It's all part of Nepalese mythology. Pernell Roberts also a visiting professor publicly scoffs, but actually thinks it's real and he's determined to go there.

So is young Milla Jovovich who likes what she sees in the boy who looks like a beggar, but says he's a prince. This is a Sabu plot if I ever heard one.

But I'm not scoffing. Night Train To Kathmandu is a nice family style adventure. If your kids see this one, put a copy of Lost Horizon in their hands.

You may inspire folks to see if there is a Shangri-La.