The Train
by Arthur Penn, John Frankenheimer
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Burt Lancaster, Jeanne Moreau, Michel Simon, Paul Scofield, Suzanne FlonDirector: Arthur Penn, John Frankenheimer
Brand: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT
DVD: 2 Layers, Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled)
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: Letterbox, 1.33:1
Running Time: 133 minutes
DVD Release Date: 1999-02-23
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Movie Reviews of The Train
Movie Review: Riveting action and suspense as the French Resistance attempts to stop a Nazi train full of looted artwork
Summary: 5 Stars
If "The Train" isn't Burt Lancaster's finest film, it must certainly be included in the top two or three. Lancaster gives an outstanding performance as Paul Labiche, a resourceful French station master working with the Resistance to prevent the retreating German army from stealing the national patrimony of art masterpieces. There are plenty of heart-stopping moments in this suspenseful action film. In addition, the 52 year-old actor is showing no sign of slowing down his usual, impressive athletic performance. He not only performs his own stunt work, there are scenes you can slow down on the DVD to see that he is doing stunts for supporting players as well.
As wonderful as Lancaster is in the film, it isn't a one man effort. The supporting cast includes a powerful performance by Paul Scofield as Col. Von Waldheim. He is an educated man and an art lover who has used his high ranking position with the occupying Nazi army to preserve the art treasures of France, but in the final days of the war demonstrates that he has saved the paintings only for the purpose of future looting. Jeanne Moreau is Christine, a cynical innkeeper who gives Lancaster some unexpected assistance along the way. Michel Simon is totally believable as Papa Boule, an engineer who sabotages the train and accepts the consequences with a Gallic shrug.
"The Train" works on many levels. It will have you on the edge of your seat wondering if the Resistance will be able to pull off their daring ruse. Additional tension is produced by the contrast between the simple, earthy Labiche and the almost effete, sophisticated Nazi, von Waldheim. There is romantic tension between Labiche and Christine as well. This tension is made even more effective because, while it obviously exists, they don't have time to even acknowledge it with each other. There is no CGI in this classic film. France was upgrading their railway system while this film was being made and ready to scrap many of their older, steam locomotives. Let's just say many real trains were harmed or killed in making this production.
Don't be misled by color photos on the DVD cover, or the fact that this was released in 1965; "The Train" is probably the last big movie about WWII filmed entirely in glorious black and white. Not only does the black and white film lend an authenticity as a period piece, it serves to heighten the drama and suspense.
The DVD package is excellent. The video has good black and white contrast and good gray shading. The audio is crisp and sharp. The special features include the original theatrical trailer; a "music only" track so you can watch the film without sound effects or dialog, and a wonderful director's commentary by John Frankenheimer.
Highly recommended!
Summary of The Train
This is one of John Frankenheimer's breathless gems--all marvelous action that never lets up. Burt Lancaster plays a French train engineer during the waning days of the German occupation who tries to prevent Nazi colonel Paul Scofield from transporting a precious art collection back to Germany. Utilizing sabotage and cunning deception, Lancaster and his Resistance colleagues stall for time with the Allies on their way. It's a brilliantly made film, showing off Lancaster's acrobatic skills (he performed all of his own stunts) and Frankenheimer's sense of pacing and brilliant use of space. It's choreographed with the utmost precision (those are real explosions during the pivotal strafing sequence) and extremely authentic in its details. Lancaster is in rare minimalist form, and Scofield manages to extract intelligence and sympathy. A firecracker action film shot in crisp black and white, with yet another telling audio commentary by the always instructive director. --Bill DesowitzThis tense 1964 action drama from John Frankenheimer (The Manchurian Candidate) stars Burt Lancaster as a member of the French Resistance trying to prevent Nazi looters from taking valuable art treasures out of the country. A great ride all the way with Frankenheimer at his inimitable best. This is a true human-scale action movie of the sort we used to think of before "action" meant blowing up asteroids in space. Kinetic but almost rueful in tone the films chases and fights are not just eye candy but rather encourage audience involvement in moral stakes. Crisp and serious performances all around from Lancaster and 1960s icons Paul Scofield and Jeanne Moreau. System Requirements:Starring: Burt Lancaster et al. Director: John Frankenheimer Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: UPC: 027616753922 Manufacturer No: M110330
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