The Train

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The Train

Released Mar 7, 1965

2h 13m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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James Jackson

The 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

The 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

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Alain E

Overall based on real facts. Remarkably it was shot with real full size trains and not models. Nicely restored black and white image. Jeanne Moreau appears as a little female decoration.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/13/25

Full Review

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

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John Frankenheimer

Director

Arthur Penn

Director

Burt Lancaster

Paul Labiche

Paul Scofield

Colonel von Waldheim

Jeanne Moreau

Christine

Michel Simon

Papa Boule, Engineer

The Train: Official Clip - Train Painting

2:07

The Train: Official Clip - Men Want to Be Heroes

2:27

The Train: Official Clip - A Lump of Flesh

3:00

The Train: Official Clip - The Execution of Papa Boule

2:12

The Train: Official Clip - A Defeated Army

1:58

The Train: Official Clip - Allied Bombing Raid

2:57

The Train: Official Clip - Train Wreck

3:00

The Train: Official Clip - Spitfire Attack

2:02

The Train: Official Clip - Get Labiche

1:41

The Train: Official Clip - Risking Lives for Art

2:57

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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 Productions Artistes Associés, United Artists, Dear Film Produzione, Les Films Ariane
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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