Set in 1944 during the final days of the German occupation of France this film is gripping from start to finish. It was made at what was perhaps the idea time; there were still plenty of railway vehicles from the war time period in use but as they were coming to the end of their useful life they could be destroyed in the film. It also meant they wouldn't be unrealistically clean as they probably would have been if preserves engines were used.
Paul Scofield plays a German colonel with a fondness for fine art, since the artists he favours are considered degenerate by the Nazi regime he argues that they are worth saving for Germany if only for their monetary value. To do this he requisitions a train that is he determined to get out of France whatever the cost. While he is determined that his train will get though Labiche, a French railway worker played by Burt Lancaster, is equally determined that it will not leave France. Labiche has another problem, not only must he stop the train he must also protect its cargo for France. To do this he uses deception, sabotage and even risks the life of himself and fellow resistance fighters to mark the train so it isn't attacked my Allied aircraft.
The two leading actors gave great performances and the supporting cast were good too. The black and white photography really captures the dirty feel of steam railway. This might not be as famous as other war films but it is definitely worth seeing.
Paul Scofield plays a German colonel with a fondness for fine art, since the artists he favours are considered degenerate by the Nazi regime he argues that they are worth saving for Germany if only for their monetary value. To do this he requisitions a train that is he determined to get out of France whatever the cost. While he is determined that his train will get though Labiche, a French railway worker played by Burt Lancaster, is equally determined that it will not leave France. Labiche has another problem, not only must he stop the train he must also protect its cargo for France. To do this he uses deception, sabotage and even risks the life of himself and fellow resistance fighters to mark the train so it isn't attacked my Allied aircraft.
The two leading actors gave great performances and the supporting cast were good too. The black and white photography really captures the dirty feel of steam railway. This might not be as famous as other war films but it is definitely worth seeing.