This war film with 95% on Rotten Tomatoes is a brave, underrated masterpiece

The horror, thrills and heroism of World War II have been a rich source of inspiration for writers and directors ever since. VJ Day. Some of the most unforgettable cinema images of our time, such as the girl in the red coat in Steven Spielberg’sSchindlers List, Steve McQueen jumping over fences with a bicycle in The great escape, And Brad Pitt told his subordinates about Jim Bridges and Apaches in Inglourious Basterds, have emerged from the greatest global conflict of all time. Some films have managed to seep into the public consciousness, set box office records and receive a number of award nominations, all of which are well deserved. However, some equally amazing films have never managed to capture the zeitgeist and capture the audience’s imagination. One of these films, one of the most exciting and intense war films ever, is John Frankenheimer’s Movie from 1964 The train with Burt Lancaster, Paul ScofieldAnd Jeanne MoreauWith a 95% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 89% audience rating, this war classic is loved by critics and moviegoers alike.

The train

In 1944, a German colonel loaded a train with French art treasures that he wanted to send to Germany. The Resistance had to stop the train without damaging the cargo.

Actor

Burt Lancaster, Paul Scofield, Jeanne Moreau

Release date

24 September 1964

Duration

133 minutes

director

John Frankenheimer

Studio

United Artists

What is “The Train” about?

The train tells the story of a French resistance fighter, Paul Labiche (Lancaster), who tries to stop the German Colonel Franz von Waldheim (Scofield) from transporting stolen art by train to GermanyThe film itself is loosely based on historical facts and is an adaptation of a non-fiction book by Rose Vallandan art historian and herself a member of the French Resistance. The film is set towards the end of the Second World War and the liberation of Paris by the Allied forces. The film begins with von Waldheim inspecting a Paris gallery and ordering that some of the masterpieces there be sent to Germany before the city is taken. From there It works both as a war film and as a classic heist filmalbeit with less technical precision than that French heist film from the decade before.

The curator of the museum and member of the French Resistance (Susanne Flon) informs the resistance when she learns of the plan. Labiche is then tasked with stopping the train and weighs the value of art over the value of life. He is initially reluctant to undertake this task before the Nazis execute some of his fellow resistance members, which only strengthens his resolve to stop the train. Labiche and his resistance crew attempt to sabotage the train in various ways, such as damaging the tracks themselves, but von Waldheim manages to repair them in a manner not dissimilar Buster Keaton’s famous real-time repair of the tracks in The general. Von Waldheim, however, succeeds in doing this with less humor.

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The train rumbles on while Labiche and the resistance encrypted messages, faulty signals and explosives to thwart von Waldheim’s plans. Labiche’s final master plan is to divert the train onto a bend so that it travels in circles to give the Allies time to catch up. Von Waldheim finally realises this and forces the train to continue its journey to Germany. Labiche finally lets the train derail near a small French village. A fierce battle breaks out between the resistance fighters and the remaining Nazi soldiers. In the ensuing battle, it ends very similarly to David Lean epos Bridge on the River Kwai, Labiche kills one of Waldheim’s men who refused to surrender. The film ends with Labiche walking away from the crime scene. As the credits roll, one reflects on the human cost of preserving cultural heritage.

The trainThe overall story of is one that has appeared again and again in modern cinema, with Woman in Gold, with Helen Mirren And Ryan ReynoldsAnd The Monuments Men – Men, with a star cast, including George Clooney, Matt DamonAnd Jean Dujardinwho showed a similar interest in these stories. But Frankenheimer’s film beat them all to it, although it almost wasn’t his film at all.

What keeps the train on the right track?

The main thing is that The train really good is that it keeps its audience guessing throughout the entire film whether the resistance will win and how it could achieve this victory. Its cat-and-mouse plot, which is one of the best and most suspenseful examples of the genre, is thoroughly gripping. The action is exceptionally well paced, building up the tension and building it to a climax with the fantastic score by Maurice Jarrea long-time colleague of David Leanand the sharp, exciting cut of David L. Brethertonthe Oscar-winning editor of cabaret a few years later. Everything about this film is really great.

The acting is also top notch, there’s no denying that. Lancaster delivers one of his better performances, consistently getting the audience rooting for Labiche and the resistance. Lancaster’s physicality and charisma add depth to his character, making Labiche a relatable and heroic figure. It’s a testament to his screen presence that he can be so imposing and forceful while also conveying the softer side of Labiche. He strikes an excellent balance between the macho action figure and the torn man weighing the value of human life and art, putting him on a par with some of cinema’s greatest action heroes. Lancaster’s performance is a central pillar of the film’s success.

And the same, if not more, can be said about Scofield. In only his third role in a film, He takes over the screen and revels in his role as a villain. He captures the obsession of his character, who is driven by a fanatical appreciation of art. In this respect, he is quite similar to Christoph Waltz’s Hans Landa from Inglourious Basterds for his sophistication and subtlety. This adds a level of complexity and depth to his portrayal of a Nazi official. This nuanced obsession drives much of the film’s conflict, with Scofield effectively conveying the character’s inner turmoil and determination. The film is strong, but it relies on Scofield’s commanding presence to truly make it a great film. It’s no wonder that his fourth film performance, in Fred Zinnemann’s A man for all seasons, earned him the Oscar.

“The Train” offers realistic action sequences

The realism of the film’s action sequences is also one of the main reasons why The train is a film worth seeking out and watching. Frankenheimer opted for practical effects and real stunts rather than relying on special effects, giving the film an emotive authenticity. Some of the film’s action scenes, in which real trains are sabotaged, are particularly intense and well done, and deserve to be counted among the famous action scenes in films. It is obvious how much influence Frankenheimer’s work had on Christopher Nolanthe British director is himself known for realistic action sequences. Filming on location in France and using real locomotives instead of models or sets also gives the film a tangible and realistic atmosphere, which increases the film’s intensity even further.

In total, The train is an exemplary war film that is characterized by its captivating narrative, realistic action sequences and deep thematic depth with a major personal conflict for the main hero. Frankeheimer’s stylistic approach is so crucial to the overall success of the film that it’s almost hard to believe he wasn’t the first choice for the director’s chair. Arthur Pennwho later directed Bonnie and Clyde, began directing, but was replaced by Frankenheimer after just three days, with Burt Lancaster being the driving force behind the change. Penn wanted to make a subdued film about the power of art, but Lancaster wanted a big action film after his epic historical drama. The leopard failed at the box office. Frankenheimer ultimately proved to be a very strong replacement and directed a film that to be nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards and to make more than its budget at the box office.

The performances are also excellent overall, with renowned European character actors Michel Simon He shines in his brief role as Papa Boule, the quarrelsome old man and member of the resistance whose execution spurs Labiche into action. The film masterfully balances thrilling sabotage operations with a thoughtful examination of the value of cultural heritage amid the chaos of war. Although it is primarily an action-packed war film, viewers will also be surprised by the film’s warmth and depth.

The train can currently be streamed on Hoopla in the US

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