The Train (1965)

A First-Rate WW2 Action/Thriller

Shadow Watcher
Nobody Drowns in Mineral Lake

Directed by John Frankenheimer, THE TRAIN (1964) is a nail-biting thriller starring Burt Lancaster as the leader of the French Resistance who, with his small group of men, must stop a Nazi train that is removing France's most valuable art treasures to Germany as the Allies approach Paris.

Paul Scofield plays the fanatic Nazi Colonel who has devised the plan to steal these great works of art, arguing to his superiors back in Germany that they can be sold on the black market for funds to boost their losing war effort.

What makes the film's two key characters genuinely interesting is that Scofield is a lover of art, whereas Lancaster, a common man, is willing to sacrifice his life and those of his men to save the paintings, even though he has no appreciation whatsoever of their beauty.

Jeanne Moreau co-stars as a hotel owner who helps Lancaster avoid capture.

There is a massive train wreck midway through this movie that is truly awesome.

- Michael B. Druxman, author of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD (available December 2008) October 1, 2008

Comments on supply of DVDs "The Train" & "Breakheart Pass"

Both DVDs ordered arrived in good condition. However I had expected (apparently erroneously) that your company,as a supplier to the world market, would supply DVDs suitable to the region from which the order originated. This was not the case. Obviously the DVDs were for the North American region as they could not be played on eqipment in the Australian region. To play them, I had to purchase another DVD player capable of being configured to multiple-region operation. This has enabled me to play "The Train" satisfactorily. Am I saisfied with this purchase and will I buy from amazon. com again? No. September 29, 2008

Im a rail fan

Born in 59 I was just getting my impressions of the world in the 60s. My Father saw that I was very fastinated by trains, So he took me to some movies that were out in the 60s that featured trains. "Von Ryans Express"was a great one "How The West Was Won " had some dynamic railroad scenes. But It was "The Train" that showed me the most about how the steam engine operates and the sounds and the visuals lots of Steam railroad action, and wrecks and sabatoge. Then after only a few decades I saw the movie again and then appreciated the gritty war drama that was based on reality .An exelent choice for any rail fan or movie buff . GET IT. August 14, 2008

Riveting action and suspense as the French Resistance attempts to stop a Nazi train full of looted artwork

If "The Train" isn't Burt Lancaster's finest film, it must certainly be included in the top two or three. Lancaster gives an outstanding performance as Paul Labiche, a resourceful French station master working with the Resistance to prevent the retreating German army from stealing the national patrimony of art masterpieces. There are plenty of heart-stopping moments in this suspenseful action film. In addition, the 52 year-old actor is showing no sign of slowing down his usual, impressive athletic performance. He not only performs his own stunt work, there are scenes you can slow down on the DVD to see that he is doing stunts for supporting players as well.

As wonderful as Lancaster is in the film, it isn't a one man effort. The supporting cast includes a powerful performance by Paul Scofield as Col. Von Waldheim. He is an educated man and an art lover who has used his high ranking position with the occupying Nazi army to preserve the art treasures of France, but in the final days of the war demonstrates that he has saved the paintings only for the purpose of future looting. Jeanne Moreau is Christine, a cynical innkeeper who gives Lancaster some unexpected assistance along the way. Michel Simon is totally believable as Papa Boule, an engineer who sabotages the train and accepts the consequences with a Gallic shrug.

"The Train" works on many levels. It will have you on the edge of your seat wondering if the Resistance will be able to pull off their daring ruse. Additional tension is produced by the contrast between the simple, earthy Labiche and the almost effete, sophisticated Nazi, von Waldheim. There is romantic tension between Labiche and Christine as well. This tension is made even more effective because, while it obviously exists, they don't have time to even acknowledge it with each other. There is no CGI in this classic film. France was upgrading their railway system while this film was being made and ready to scrap many of their older, steam locomotives. Let's just say many real trains were harmed or killed in making this production.

Don't be misled by color photos on the DVD cover, or the fact that this was released in 1965; "The Train" is probably the last big movie about WWII filmed entirely in glorious black and white. Not only does the black and white film lend an authenticity as a period piece, it serves to heighten the drama and suspense.

The DVD package is excellent. The video has good black and white contrast and good gray shading. The audio is crisp and sharp. The special features include the original theatrical trailer; a "music only" track so you can watch the film without sound effects or dialog, and a wonderful director's commentary by John Frankenheimer.

Highly recommended!
July 5, 2008

I THOUGHT WE JUST PASSED THAT TOWN!!

It's 1944 and WWII is in its last days. The Nazis are trying to take anything they can out of the rich art treasures in France. There is a warehouse in Paris full of Van Goghs, Picassos, etc. A German Colonel loads them on to a train for Germany. The French Resistance learns of this and goes into action to sabotage the train and save the treasures. Paul Labiche (Lancaster), a French train engineer is not interested at first (he is counting on the Allies to show up at any moment and save Paris) but when he sees the patriotism and heroics of the Resistance fighters, he becomes a part of the resistance and uses his courage and skills to try and thwart the German Colonel. In the end it becomes a one on one match of wits and ingenuity between the two men-a microcosm of the good versus evil that was symbolic of the greater war. A lot of action but real action, not the computer generated stuff of today's films. Burt Lancaster does all his own stunts which are not insignificant. A terrific view of another slice of life during WWII. Did I mention that Burt Lancaster and I co-starred in AIRPORT. Actually........if you're really quick with your pause button you might be able to spot me walking across the airport lobby. www.lusreviews.blogspot.com


June 14, 2008

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