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The Titfield Thunderbolt

Play trailer Poster for The Titfield Thunderbolt 1953 1h 24m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 3 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
A transportation war erupts in a small English village when the government decides to shut down the decrepit railway line. On one side is the bus company, pleased with the prospect of having a monopoly over the town's transportation system. Their opponents are the railway enthusiasts among the villagers, who persuade the richest man in town (Stanley Holloway) to help them operate the line themselves. But runaway trains make this difficult, as does sabotage from the bus company.

Critics Reviews

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Matt Brunson Film Frenzy The comedy isn't nearly as biting as in other Ealing efforts from the period. Rated: 2.5/4 Jan 27, 2022 Full Review Neely Swanson Easy Reader (California) A funny, sometimes laugh-out-loud, warm-hearted comedy with vibrant characters, terrific plot, identifiable good and bad guys, and all the eccentricities the Brits hold dear. Nov 30, 2020 Full Review MFB Critics Monthly Film Bulletin The script itself is disconcertingly short on wit, and some of its invention appears forced, and Crichton's handling fails to supply the charm that could still have been the film's justification. Mar 4, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member The best Ealing comedies combine charm and savagery: the satire has teeth. Without the bile they become - as here - whimsical and rather irritating. The mostly elderly parishioners of a bucolic English village are infuriated by the closure of their branch line, and decide - improbably - to buy the engine and run it themselves. Cue lots of arch jokes about vicars learning how to operate the signal box. It's nicely photographed and boring. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Just about the most charming and beautiful film ever. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member Perfect sick day viewing. Mildly amusing tale of a branch line sticking it to the man in 1950s UK. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member Classic British comedy - delightful!! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member (75%) A fine British comedy that is English as a rainy summer day. This really is a joy to watch with its fantastic pacing, eccentric characters, and a charming fun wit running right the way through. And despite this being incredibly twee with its chocolate box village, there is a rebellious spirit that bubbles to the surface that is present in many of these great Ealing films. It must be said this isn't what I'd call the funniest film of all time, or even the funniest Ealing film, but it's just so watchable and and likeable, with the brilliant line from Stanley Holloway: "Is it a pleasant prison?" all making this a very worthy watch. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member What a pleasant surprise this film was, it was a charming little british film. This film just has so much going for it, the beautiful british landscapes, the railway lifestyle, hillaroious british odd ball characters. This film just has this wonderful spirit to it, it's contagious and overall really likeable film. Stanley Holloway is fantastic as the drunk, really adds the humour to the film. If you interested in seeing a British Comedy from the Ealing Studios then this is a top choice, such a different viewing experience, something fresh that breaks the mould... Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Titfield Thunderbolt

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Cast & Crew

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Charles Crichton

Director

Stanley Holloway

Valentine

George Relph

Weech

Naunton Wayne

Blakeworth

John Gregson

Gordon

Godfrey Tearle

The Bishop
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The Titfield Thunderbolt

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Movie Info

Synopsis A transportation war erupts in a small English village when the government decides to shut down the decrepit railway line. On one side is the bus company, pleased with the prospect of having a monopoly over the town's transportation system. Their opponents are the railway enthusiasts among the villagers, who persuade the richest man in town (Stanley Holloway) to help them operate the line themselves. But runaway trains make this difficult, as does sabotage from the bus company.
Director
Charles Crichton
Producer
Michael Truman
Screenwriter
T.E.B. Clarke
Production Co
Ealing Studios
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
British English
Runtime
1h 24m