The Train

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The Train

1965

2h 13m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

18 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

With the Allies poised to retake Paris from the Germans, Col. Franz Von Waldheim (Paul Scofield) conspires to sneak out by train all the art masterpieces looted by the German army. But museum curator Mademoiselle Villard (Suzanne Flon) alerts the French Resistance, and soon railway inspector Paul Labiche (Burt Lancaster) is pressed into service. He reroutes the train, and cleverly deceives Von Waldheim by renaming each train station along the way.

James Jackson

The Times (UK)

03/04/2024

A pair of high-class performances power this Second World War yarn.

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David Mermelstein

Wall Street Journal

09/29/2023

The movie’s central moral question -- Can we justify the loss of human life to save inanimate objects? -- remains as potent as ever. And one of this film’s greatest attributes is that it leaves the answer to the viewer.

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Edward Porter

The Times (UK)

08/29/2022

Its waffly thoughts on cultural heritage can’t derail it.

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Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

04/08/2022

A thrillingly visceral experience with a questioning, philosophical soul. This was the last studio action extravaganza to be shot in black-and-white, and the shades of gray suit the film's murky moral inquiries.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

01/16/2021

3.5/4

This gripping film places a philosophical query in the context of a rousing action flick.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

11/02/2019

2/4

...a promising premise that's employed to predominately underwhelming effect...

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Joaquin U

@Joaquin1 Mar 24

This is cinema. All is carefully crafted. Excellent cast. Great direction. I don't see it as "philosophical" as some try to paint it. It's the "not this time" kind of movie. Anyway, a great movie from the good old days, still powerful and entertaining today.

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paul G.

@gpaul Feb 4

Great ww2 movie. Great story. Great acting. Great mis en scene. Great directing.

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Cb B

@Czzz1 Jan 30

TENSE AND FAST PACED!!! Found a great black and white movie and so happy I mean it's in the same time period as the spaghetti western with just like the creation of such a good atmosphere and attention to detail great action for a movie that old

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Fred G

@RT22374547 Dec 21

Surely among the Top 10 best war movies ever made. Thrilling action and suspense... deep philosophical issues... great performances all around... Maurice Jarre score... real destruction of actual vintage trains and equipment (NOT CGI or miniatures!) brilliantly photographed... It doesn't get better than this...

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Frans B

@FransB Nov 11

Classic masterpiece. Brilliant directing, very well written. Stellar cast all excels in character. Lots of drama, suspense, twists and action. Intrigue and dilemma. Leaves one slightly uncomfortable as to the choice between priceless artifacts and human life. Absolute piece of cinematic art

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Scott R

@ScottR Oct 5

NYT 1000 movies list. SLC DVD. It was a better than most WW2 films and had a good thrill to it. Originality in the script and some good performances.

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John Frankenheimer

Director

Arthur Penn

Director

Burt Lancaster

Paul Labiche

Paul Scofield

Colonel von Waldheim

Jeanne Moreau

Christine

Michel Simon

Papa Boule, Engineer

The Train: Official Clip - Train Painting

2:07

The Train: Official Clip - Men Want to Be Heroes

2:27

The Train: Official Clip - A Lump of Flesh

3:00

The Train: Official Clip - The Execution of Papa Boule

2:12

The Train: Official Clip - A Defeated Army

1:58

The Train: Official Clip - Allied Bombing Raid

2:57

The Train: Official Clip - Train Wreck

3:00

The Train: Official Clip - Spitfire Attack

2:02

The Train: Official Clip - Get Labiche

1:41

The Train: Official Clip - Risking Lives for Art

2:57

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Synopsis

With the Allies poised to retake Paris from the Germans, Col. Franz Von Waldheim (Paul Scofield) conspires to sneak out by train all the art masterpieces looted by the German army. But museum curator Mademoiselle Villard (Suzanne Flon) alerts the French Resistance, and soon railway inspector Paul Labiche (Burt Lancaster) is pressed into service. He reroutes the train, and cleverly deceives Von Waldheim by renaming each train station along the way.

Director: John Frankenheimer, Arthur Penn
Producer: Jules Bricken
Screenwriter: Rose Valland, Franklin Coen, Frank Davis, Albert Husson
Distributor: MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., United Artists
Production Co: Les Productions Artistes Associés, United Artists, Dear Film Produzione, Les Films Ariane
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 7, 1965, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 2h 13m
Sound Mix: Surround