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The Great Train Robbery (1978)

Rate: 6
Viewed: 12/10

GrTrain
12/10: Having read the book that was written by Michael Crichton, The Great Train Robbery is a fairly interesting picture.

However, I like the book better. Easily, the best feature is the Victorian England scenery which is the biggest reason for my sustained interest from start to finish. Sean Connery and Donald Sutherland aren't too bad themselves, and I've enjoyed their presence.

The most amazing scene is when Sean Connery is atop a moving train which looks breathtakingly real because he did it himself. An awesome part is Wayne Sleep, as Clean Willy, performing his own stunts, especially for the frightening scaling of the huge vertical wall at Newgate Prison.

What's keen is the demonstration of copying keys which was memorably a big thing in the book. Now, thanks to the film, I finally figured out what the word "snakeman" meant. But I question the idea of Clean Willy climbing through the hole of the room where the two keys are located and opening the door for the waxman. I think it would be easier if the latter would teach the former how to make an impression in wax rather than the other way around.

Anyway, I feel The Great Train Robbery is a bit banal because of the need to obtain four keys. Ultimately later, Mission: Impossible with Tom Cruise, which is more exciting and fresh, would render it outdated due to both films having the same premise along with the train stunt toward the end.

What I remember the most about the book is the coffin that's fastened with a bell. It's included in the film which must be the first time ever. Many viewers would probably not understand all of that although it's explained very well in the book. Basically, during the 18th and 19th century, because of the cholera outbreak, there was a fear of people being buried alive. So, when a dead person was placed inside the coffin, there's a possiblity of him ringing the bell to prevent being buried alive. Of course, the whole thing is impossible to believe because it never happened. So, that's superstition to you. Nevertheless, it's interesting.

All in all, it's nice to see the film version of The Great Train Robbery as it brings good memories from the book.