It is a terrific film, and, yes, I think its black and white cinematography was a major factor in raising it above the ordinary.
Absolutely right about the stunts, too, especially the night bombing of the railway yards, which is spectacular.
Burt Lancaster was incapable of making a bad film, though he’s ably assisted here by a brilliant Paul Scofield performance as the ‘cultured’ Nazi.
And trains, like submarines, and, but to a lesser extent, aeroplanes, are great settings for films. The medium just loves trains. Add in a war or two, and, Voila!, you have a great adventure.
Well... I've always said that WF is a 'personal view', idiosyncratic, and my views may well be horribly unfair. The Wizard of Oz might be perfect Sunday afternoon fare too- but it's possibly one of my least favourite films of all time! Actually, no- that dubious honour goes to Titanic. But I'm always up to being persuaded otherwise.
The Train is one of my top ten greatest films of all time - it's peerless, if you get the chance. Battaile Du Rail (1946) is a superb dramatised documentary that explores the real-life French railway workers and how they were able to frustrate and thwart the nazis, and is a superb companion piece.
Tremendous review as ever.I saw this film years ago ,splendid acting and a gripping story.I didn't think much of the Monuments men at all.Like you I've always been fascinated by the Nazis and art .I recently saw the exhibition of Churchill's paintings at the Wallace collection,he really was a superb artist(often entering paintings under a pseudonym and winning several awards).Many years ago I was on a tour of Jordan and met my good friend the late Roy Dunstan of Warminster.He was the old Lord Bath's dentist.I was privileged to have lunch with them both and a treat afterwards was a tour of Lord Bath's art collection(this isn't the hippy son).He had the largest collection of Hitler's paintings,which he purchased at the end of the war for next to nothing.They really were very good.What a Shame they couldn't have sat down together and discussed art.
This same weekend I went and saw the painting of'Cupid complaining to venus 'by Lucas Cranach the elder .To be found in Room 55 of the National Gallery .Previously it was in the private apartment of one Adolf Hitler in Munich.This has recently been confirmed and it's an interesting story.
Nazis and art such a potent mix and in so many great films."Night of the Generals "for one .(Another review Luke).Now I'm going to have to watch "The train "again.Apologies for the length of my post and thanks again .
Yes, I watched Monuments Men last night. Such a shame! Great idea, could have been interesting, but it couldn’t make its mind up if it was a serious second world war drama or some sort of comedy caper? Really shaky direction from Clooney. That bit when Hugh B meets his maker. In the church. Difficult to understand what was happening? Poor editing, everything drowned out by superfluous background music.
But that, I think, is exactly what the Train (1964) is trying to say? It's raising the question 'Is art worth a human life?' Leaving it for the viewer to make up their own minds. But, to some extent it's a 1960s anti-war film. Very much of its time. In contrast, I watched George Clooney's The Monuments Men (2014) last night. Not a good film, but it covers very similar historical ground. It's message is exactly the opposite. That it's worth sacrificing a life to defend great art and culture. It's a valid philosophical argument, surely? Either way? And readers may have differing views?
I loved Kelly’s Heroes as a teenager. Donald Sutherland as a proto Hippy! When I saw it again recently I was delighted to discover Clint Eastwood is in it - and plays well in comedy! Its an entertaining anti war film from beginning to end. Its the 1960s in 1944 and thats on the table all the way. Great comedy.
The Train is a great war time suspense thriller, with Nazis as bad guys. The audience wants the good guys to save those paintings - with the help of Jeanne Moreau, who is no Julie Andrews. Then this morose voice at the end tells us it was not worth it. Its tagged on and does not seem fully to belong.
Its still a good film but I felt it was unnecessary to moralize against saving the French treasures.
Right! Got you now! I was surprised, too, by the moralising ending, when we should have been celebrating the Resistance who had done an amazing thing saving the paintings. It rather grates against the rest of the film. I think it was very much part of that anti-war thing going on in the 1960s. Looking ahead to Vietnam.
Another personal favorite which I've made sure to include in my DVD collection! It's also a great pairing with The Monuments Men and a BW French film I discovered on YouTube -The Battle of the Rails (1946) - a docudrama about the railworks in the resistance.
Watched The Monuments Men last night. So thank you for that. I'm glad that I did- as you said it covers very similar historical ground, even if Clooney's direction is decidedly shaky for this one. It couldn't make it's mind up if it was a serious Second World War drama, or some sort of comedy caper? Interestingly, it seems to take an almost opposite philosophical stance to The Train (1964)- is great art worth a life? etc.
I think a part of the difference between The Train and Monuments Men reflects the times they existed in and for the former the fact that the war was still relatively fresh in memory whereas by now it’s enshrined and rather calcified. I agree that Clooney wasn’t the steadiest hand there as a director.
It's especially good, I think. On a fascinating subject. What happened to Germany in the days and months following the surrender? Brutal stuff- the Russians don't come out of it at all well.
Smashing film. I also love the supporting roles. I mean, Michel Simon as an old mechanic? And Wolfgang Preiss (always liked him) as a "sensible" German officer appalled by the megalomania of his superior.... Delicious stuff!
Kelly’s Hero’s is one of my all time favourite films, after Being There. I’ll check in this one out, I knew the story but not about this film version. Thanks.
It is a terrific film, and, yes, I think its black and white cinematography was a major factor in raising it above the ordinary.
Absolutely right about the stunts, too, especially the night bombing of the railway yards, which is spectacular.
Burt Lancaster was incapable of making a bad film, though he’s ably assisted here by a brilliant Paul Scofield performance as the ‘cultured’ Nazi.
And trains, like submarines, and, but to a lesser extent, aeroplanes, are great settings for films. The medium just loves trains. Add in a war or two, and, Voila!, you have a great adventure.
So, when are you doing Von Ryan’s Express, Luke?
Ha! Or Kelly's Heroes? You know of my fascination with Nazi gold!
Yeah…Kelly’s Heroes is great.
Either will do, Luke!
But is it? I will need to watch it again... Not sure it's very WEEKEND FLICKS. But I'm always prepared to change my mind.
What? Kelly’s or Von Ryan? They’re both perfect Sunday afternoon fare, surely?
Well... I've always said that WF is a 'personal view', idiosyncratic, and my views may well be horribly unfair. The Wizard of Oz might be perfect Sunday afternoon fare too- but it's possibly one of my least favourite films of all time! Actually, no- that dubious honour goes to Titanic. But I'm always up to being persuaded otherwise.
Watch out for any negative waves,Luke .
Actually, don't get me started on Titanic!
Very apt !I really enjoyed it actually .Not least for Billy Zane.Can't beat "A night to remember"though.
LOL!
Watch out for any negative waves,Luke.
Everybody loves trains…
The Train is one of my top ten greatest films of all time - it's peerless, if you get the chance. Battaile Du Rail (1946) is a superb dramatised documentary that explores the real-life French railway workers and how they were able to frustrate and thwart the nazis, and is a superb companion piece.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038334/
Many thanks for the tip. Appreciated.
Great film. I stumbled across this on tv a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Tremendous review as ever.I saw this film years ago ,splendid acting and a gripping story.I didn't think much of the Monuments men at all.Like you I've always been fascinated by the Nazis and art .I recently saw the exhibition of Churchill's paintings at the Wallace collection,he really was a superb artist(often entering paintings under a pseudonym and winning several awards).Many years ago I was on a tour of Jordan and met my good friend the late Roy Dunstan of Warminster.He was the old Lord Bath's dentist.I was privileged to have lunch with them both and a treat afterwards was a tour of Lord Bath's art collection(this isn't the hippy son).He had the largest collection of Hitler's paintings,which he purchased at the end of the war for next to nothing.They really were very good.What a Shame they couldn't have sat down together and discussed art.
This same weekend I went and saw the painting of'Cupid complaining to venus 'by Lucas Cranach the elder .To be found in Room 55 of the National Gallery .Previously it was in the private apartment of one Adolf Hitler in Munich.This has recently been confirmed and it's an interesting story.
Nazis and art such a potent mix and in so many great films."Night of the Generals "for one .(Another review Luke).Now I'm going to have to watch "The train "again.Apologies for the length of my post and thanks again .
Yes, I watched Monuments Men last night. Such a shame! Great idea, could have been interesting, but it couldn’t make its mind up if it was a serious second world war drama or some sort of comedy caper? Really shaky direction from Clooney. That bit when Hugh B meets his maker. In the church. Difficult to understand what was happening? Poor editing, everything drowned out by superfluous background music.
My sentiments exactly and what could have been such a good film.Very dissapointing all round.
great movie - never shown enough and omitted from lists of great WWII movies.
Its a very good film but I dont like the ‘was it worth it?’ Comment at the end. Seems like a nod to the times.
But that, I think, is exactly what the Train (1964) is trying to say? It's raising the question 'Is art worth a human life?' Leaving it for the viewer to make up their own minds. But, to some extent it's a 1960s anti-war film. Very much of its time. In contrast, I watched George Clooney's The Monuments Men (2014) last night. Not a good film, but it covers very similar historical ground. It's message is exactly the opposite. That it's worth sacrificing a life to defend great art and culture. It's a valid philosophical argument, surely? Either way? And readers may have differing views?
I loved Kelly’s Heroes as a teenager. Donald Sutherland as a proto Hippy! When I saw it again recently I was delighted to discover Clint Eastwood is in it - and plays well in comedy! Its an entertaining anti war film from beginning to end. Its the 1960s in 1944 and thats on the table all the way. Great comedy.
The Train is a great war time suspense thriller, with Nazis as bad guys. The audience wants the good guys to save those paintings - with the help of Jeanne Moreau, who is no Julie Andrews. Then this morose voice at the end tells us it was not worth it. Its tagged on and does not seem fully to belong.
Its still a good film but I felt it was unnecessary to moralize against saving the French treasures.
Right! Got you now! I was surprised, too, by the moralising ending, when we should have been celebrating the Resistance who had done an amazing thing saving the paintings. It rather grates against the rest of the film. I think it was very much part of that anti-war thing going on in the 1960s. Looking ahead to Vietnam.
Another personal favorite which I've made sure to include in my DVD collection! It's also a great pairing with The Monuments Men and a BW French film I discovered on YouTube -The Battle of the Rails (1946) - a docudrama about the railworks in the resistance.
Watched The Monuments Men last night. So thank you for that. I'm glad that I did- as you said it covers very similar historical ground, even if Clooney's direction is decidedly shaky for this one. It couldn't make it's mind up if it was a serious Second World War drama, or some sort of comedy caper? Interestingly, it seems to take an almost opposite philosophical stance to The Train (1964)- is great art worth a life? etc.
I think a part of the difference between The Train and Monuments Men reflects the times they existed in and for the former the fact that the war was still relatively fresh in memory whereas by now it’s enshrined and rather calcified. I agree that Clooney wasn’t the steadiest hand there as a director.
And same with The Monuments Men. Currently reading up on the last days of the war. Have you read Giles MacDonogh's 'After the Reich'? Brilliant book.
No, I'll have to add that to the pile, thanks!
It's especially good, I think. On a fascinating subject. What happened to Germany in the days and months following the surrender? Brutal stuff- the Russians don't come out of it at all well.
That part of the story I’ve known for many years
Yes, somebody else mentioned The Battle of the Rails. It's on my 'to view' list.
It’s a great film, which I’ve seen many times. One of those that I would always watch to the end if I came across it by chance…
Extraordinary film.
Extraordinary actor.
Thank you! A reminder to watch it again
Smashing film. I also love the supporting roles. I mean, Michel Simon as an old mechanic? And Wolfgang Preiss (always liked him) as a "sensible" German officer appalled by the megalomania of his superior.... Delicious stuff!
Kelly’s Hero’s is one of my all time favourite films, after Being There. I’ll check in this one out, I knew the story but not about this film version. Thanks.
Two VERY different films! I’m definitely going to do Being There soon. Truly great film.
My all time favourite, Sellers masterpiece. I look forward to reading your take on it Luke.
Let us hope that a CGI'd, action hero driven, backstory-heavy version isn't being green-lighted as we speak...
Couldn't agree more. Where The Train (1964) scores is its sheer realism. Them's real-life trains going off the rails...