The Cassandra Crossing

R

Released Feb 9, 1977

2h 6m

Mystery & Thriller

List

36%

11 Reviews

Tomatometer

52%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Terrorists have planted a deadly virus on a transcontinental train. On board are the glamorous Jennifer Chamberlain (Sophia Loren) and her ex-husband, Dr. Jonathan Chamberlain (Richard Harris), as well as Nicole Dressler (Ava Gardner) and her young lover, Robby (Martin Sheen). They can't get off, and one solution proposed is to quarantine them by rerouting the train over the Cassandra Crossing -- an unstable bridge. Dr. Chamberlain wants to save them, but has to battle the terrorists first.

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Steve D

With this much talent it should have been so much better.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This film was already dated in 1997, coming in at the tail end of the disaster movie genre ushered in by 'The Poseidon Adventure' (1972). A great cast is mostly wasted in a poorly written, adequately directed and lazily acted movie. It's hard to believe this film was made after such 70s classics as 'The Godfather' and 'Jaws'. The script gives no depth to any of the caracters, who are all two dimensional, and lack any empathy. Ava Gardner's role is particularly badly written and her performance is embarassing. Richard Harris' acting ability is without question but his unsympathetic screen persona is more suited to villainous roles and he makes an unlikely hero. Sophia Loren is totally wasted, and a host of great supporting actors barely register. On a positive note, the tracking shots of the train and Martin Sheen's stunt double are impressive, and Jerry Goldsmith delivers an effective score though the main theme feels like it belongs in a 1960's French movie. This is only worth watching for curiosity value and for it's relevance to the problem's facing the world today.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

Full Review

delysid d

its a disaster classic of the 70s

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/16/21

Full Review

Boneyard L

This is a competent disaster movie, incorporating vehicle, disease, and political corruption in a well-balanced combo. Unfortunately much of the drama is moot. We know what the problems are that the characters are trying to figure out for much of the time, but it's still played for suspense without realizing it's undercut its own tension. There's a good bait-and-switch mini-mystery and several exciting sequences that keep the film from going under, and at the end of the day it still lands on its feet. Closest comparison: It's like Unstoppable by way of Murder on the Orient Express (1974). Setting: Disaster Plot: Political Thriller Tone: Thriller

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/08/21

Full Review

Audience Member

Almost as soon as it gets rolling, with this spectacular an ensemble all obviously in it for the paycheck, you know that the movie's on track to go off the rails.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Major plot holes,but the drama is there,a lot of ethical questions that are sadly too familiar nowadays.great cast direction and pace makes this movie always special.rotten tomatoes critics did not know how to handle this movie.my opinion.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

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George P. Cosmatos

Director

Sophia Loren

Jennifer Rispoli Chamberlain

Richard Harris

Dr. Jonathan Chamberlain

Ava Gardner

Nicole Dressler

Burt Lancaster

Col. Stephen Mackenzie

Martin Sheen

Robby Navarro

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Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

The finale is effectively spectacular.

Jul 19, 2022

Full Review

Bernard Drew

Gannett News Service

A trip that begins with incipient excitement and ends in total idiocy.

Oct 30, 2019

Full Review

Ruth Batchelor

Los Angeles Free Press

It's a bad movie that's more fun than if it had been good.

Oct 25, 2019

Full Review

Jesús Fernández Santos

El Pais (Spain)

The political message is too simplistic, but it's very common in today's movies. [Full Review in Spanish]

Jul 25, 2019

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Your usual over-the-top blockbuster disaster of a formulaic disaster movie.

Rated: C

Aug 31, 2008

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

FulvueDrive-in.com

Rated: 3/5

May 7, 2007

Full Review

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Synopsis

Terrorists have planted a deadly virus on a transcontinental train. On board are the glamorous Jennifer Chamberlain (Sophia Loren) and her ex-husband, Dr. Jonathan Chamberlain (Richard Harris), as well as Nicole Dressler (Ava Gardner) and her young lover, Robby (Martin Sheen). They can't get off, and one solution proposed is to quarantine them by rerouting the train over the Cassandra Crossing -- an unstable bridge. Dr. Chamberlain wants to save them, but has to battle the terrorists first.

Director: George P. Cosmatos
Producer: Giancarlo Pettini
Screenwriter: Tom Mankiewicz, Robert Katz, George P. Cosmatos
Distributor: AVCO Embassy Pictures
Production Co: Compagnia Cinematografica Champion, International Cine Productions, Associated General Films
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 9, 1977, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 3, 2018
Runtime: 2h 6m

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