This is one of my Fav WW2
Homage to the bravery and ingenuity of the French Resistance. Burt Lancaster stars as a French railwayman trying to prevent Nazi officer Paul Scofield from absconding with a train-load of art masterpieces

The Train is very precisely located in place and time with an opening note: "Paris, August 2 1944, the 1511th day of German occupation." The Allies are bearing down on the French capital. In a gesture that is both that of an art lover and an avaricious Nazi determined to make a considerable donation to the Fatherland

It's a classic movie which I have on video and have watched many times. It was made just as the French railways were converting from steam to diesel/electric - so no CGI monkeying about, those are real trains involved in the many action sequences.....

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

I admit, I did not care too much for it the first time I saw it but, every time I see it, I like It more and more. My favorite scene in the movie is when the train is coming under strafing attack from an allied fighter (forgive me Martin for not knowing the exact type of fighter ;-)) I also like the scene in the tunnel after they stop-and that Frenchman pushes the handle-letting the trains whistle - make its noise althe while showing his extreme anger at almost being killed; by gritting his teeth.

Anyway, this film is now one of my all-time most favorites.

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

That is indeed a great scene ; the aircraft is a Spitfire.....

Also of note is that the marshalling yard bombing scene ( which lasts for 50 seconds ) took six weeks to prepare. It was an actual marshalling yard which was due for demolition ; the film crew used 3,000 lbs of TNT and 2,000 gallons of gasolene to do the job.....

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

Heh heh, Martin, I was using this post just to see if you were REALLY reading my posts? ;-))

Seriously, I liked that bombing scene as well. All this talk about the movie is making me want to watch it again reeeeeel soon.

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

And yesterday evening I did just that. It's a movie which seems to improve with repeated viewings - no false heroics or phoney scenes in this one ; the train scenes are brilliant and the acting is high-quality ( Wolfgang Preiss especially good....)

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

A Classic Film, I must dig that one out from my old videos and watch it again.

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Regards, Richard

There back this Xmas 2008