The film unfolds during China’s civil war in the 1930s, centering on a train journey from Peking to Shanghai. On board are various individuals, notably "Shanghai Lily" (Marlene Dietrich) and "Doc" (Clive Brook), who is traveling to perform an operation for a mandarin. He believes she remains a self-centered woman inclined to prioritize her own well-being, but his perception shifts when the train is halted by guerrillas and he’s captured. With “Chang” (Warner Oland) now in control, the situation becomes considerably more dangerous for everyone, forcing "Lily" to employ all of her charm and cunning to protect herself and the doctor from a ruthless and intelligent adversary. Dietrich delivers a strong performance, and there's an appealing connection between her and Brook; however, Warner Oland truly stands out as the genuinely malevolent soldier who disregarded any moral limits when it came to causing suffering to the unsuspecting passengers. As always, Von Sternberg’s direction and cinematography are captivating, creating a strikingly ominous and absorbing atmosphere that builds considerable tension leading up to an unexpected resolution. It's definitely worth seeing in a cinema if possible—Dietrich is luminous on screen, and she doesn't rely on musical numbers.

Source on TMDB