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The Train

Play trailer Poster for The Train Released Mar 7, 1965 2h 13m Action Mystery & Thriller War Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 18 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
With the Allies poised to retake Paris from the Germans, Col. Franz Von Waldheim (Paul Scofield) conspires to sneak out by train all of the art masterpieces looted by the German army. But museum curator Mademoiselle Villard (Suzanne Flon) alerts the French Resistance, and soon railway inspector Paul Labiche (Burt Lancaster) is pressed into service. He reroutes the train, and cleverly deceives Von Waldheim by renaming each train station along the way.
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The Train

Critics Reviews

View All (18) Critics Reviews
James Jackson Times (UK) A pair of high-class performances power this Second World War yarn. Mar 4, 2024 Full Review David Mermelstein Wall Street Journal The movie’s central moral question -- Can we justify the loss of human life to save inanimate objects? -- remains as potent as ever. And one of this film’s greatest attributes is that it leaves the answer to the viewer. Sep 29, 2023 Full Review Edward Porter Times (UK) Its waffly thoughts on cultural heritage can’t derail it. Aug 29, 2022 Full Review Sean Burns Crooked Marquee A thrillingly visceral experience with a questioning, philosophical soul. This was the last studio action extravaganza to be shot in black-and-white, and the shades of gray suit the film's murky moral inquiries. Apr 8, 2022 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy This gripping film places a philosophical query in the context of a rousing action flick. Rated: 3.5/4 Jan 16, 2021 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a promising premise that's employed to predominately underwhelming effect... Rated: 2/4 Nov 2, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dave C This has the feel of a 1940's war drama, and yet delivers all you'd expect (and more) from a 1960's action movie. The Train is perhaps made more intriguing with the adventurous and enigmatic Burt Lancaster standing front and centre. His stature and mental acuity really impress from start to finish, and match perfectly with the directorial talent of JF. Unafraid of pushing for authenticity and realism, both figureheads boldly curate, enact and deliver action sequences. As physically present and invested as BL is, he never comes across as pompous or belligerent. Overall, this is a fairly steady movie, with a long runtime for such a focused story, but it works. Key cast are well placed, and all come together to deliver a story that is both meaningful and engaging, and that doesn't presume to judge Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/28/24 Full Review Liam D An intense War Time Thriller with an tight Oscar nominated screenplay, strong direction by John Frankenheimer (Tales from the Crypt, Climax!) and a great lead turn by Burt Lancaster (Tough Guys, The Osterman Weekend) Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/07/24 Full Review Shay W Wonderfully tense and atmospheric. And for all the talk of Tom Cruise doing his own stunts, Burt Lancaster slides down a 20 foot high ladder, jumps on a movie train, all in the same shot. He later casts a part from molten steel and fits it to a long side rod, again in one shot. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/14/24 Full Review Stephen H One of the best war (or railway) movies ever made. Incredible stunts and action scenes. Steam engine footplate scenes galore with spitfire attacks thrown in to put a cherry on top. An incredible testement to the bravery of the french resistance and a fascinating look back into the yesteryear of steam railway operation. What a shame it was not made in colour !. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/24/24 Full Review Steve D Not my taste but really well done. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/15/24 Full Review Alec B Frankenheimer manages to make the movie both an exciting action thriller and a commentary on how art is just as important to a culture's survival as its people. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/21/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Train

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Cast & Crew

The Train

The Train: Official Clip - Train Painting The Train: Official Clip - Train Painting 2:07 The Train: Official Clip - Men Want to Be Heroes The Train: Official Clip - Men Want to Be Heroes 2:27 The Train: Official Clip - A Lump of Flesh The Train: Official Clip - A Lump of Flesh 3:00 The Train: Official Clip - The Execution of Papa Boule The Train: Official Clip - The Execution of Papa Boule 2:12 The Train: Official Clip - A Defeated Army The Train: Official Clip - A Defeated Army 1:58 The Train: Official Clip - Allied Bombing Raid The Train: Official Clip - Allied Bombing Raid 2:57 The Train: Official Clip - Train Wreck The Train: Official Clip - Train Wreck 3:00 The Train: Official Clip - Spitfire Attack The Train: Official Clip - Spitfire Attack 2:02 The Train: Official Clip - Get Labiche The Train: Official Clip - Get Labiche 1:41 The Train: Official Clip - Risking Lives for Art The Train: Official Clip - Risking Lives for Art 2:57 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis With the Allies poised to retake Paris from the Germans, Col. Franz Von Waldheim (Paul Scofield) conspires to sneak out by train all of the art masterpieces looted by the German army. But museum curator Mademoiselle Villard (Suzanne Flon) alerts the French Resistance, and soon railway inspector Paul Labiche (Burt Lancaster) is pressed into service. He reroutes the train, and cleverly deceives Von Waldheim by renaming each train station along the way.
Director
John Frankenheimer, Arthur Penn
Producer
Jules Bricken
Screenwriter
Rose Valland, Franklin Coen, Frank Davis, Albert Husson
Distributor
MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., United Artists
Production Co
Les Films Ariane, United Artists, Dear Film Produzione, Les Productions Artistes Associés
Genre
Action, Mystery & Thriller, War
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 7, 1965, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 16, 2008
Runtime
2h 13m
Sound Mix
Surround
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