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The Train (1964)
Rate:
10
Viewed:
11/15, 4/20, 12/20
11/15:
As great as John Frankenheimer was as a director of political thrillers, The Train isn't exciting enough.
Yet Burt Lancaster is splendid and does all of his own stunts including jumping off the moving train and rolling down
the hill. Eventually, he got hurt during a game of golf away from the set, so the scenes of him limping around aren't fake.
And the most incredible part of all: Burt Lancaster was 50 years old at the time of filming.
In an early role, Paul Scofield, the Academy Award winner for A Man for All Seasons,
gives a serious performance as the Nazi connoisseur of art. My only wish is his character spoke German. At the end, he has a final
and perfect moment to sum up what the movie is all about: "Was saving art masterpieces worth the lives of many?"
Being similar to La bête humaine, the 1938 French film by Jean Renoir with Jean Gabin,
the black-and-white cinematography adds a great deal of richness to the atmosphere of The Train, but unfortunately, it
wasn't awarded an Oscar nomination.
All in all, The Train is an enjoyable film with terrific performances that although falls somewhat short when it
comes to excitement.
4/20:
The Train is a riveting WWII motion picture starring Burt Lancaster and Paul Scofield.
Both Jean Tournier and Walter Wottitz should've received Oscar nominations for the black-and-white cinematography work
which makes up 65% of the picture; it's one of the best I've seen, even down to the sweat on the characters' faces.
If the film was done in color instead, a lot of the power would've been lost.
Burt Lancaster supplies the next 30%. He's as thrilling as anyone can be in the action genre, easily knocking off Marlon
Brando in the all-around great actor category. There's one thing that's undeniable about Burt Lancaster: he consistently
made lots and lots of terrific movies and did all his own stunts.
The final 5% feels like a bonus: Paul Scofield. Although he appeared in about twenty theatrically released pictures, he had
always given a masterful performance who's never been less than 100%, making other actors fearful of him. Meanwhile, Jeanne
Moreau, Wolfgang Preiss, and Michel Simon of Boudu sauvé des eaux and
L'Atalante fame do an admirable job as well.
Of course, the story is a can't-beat: the national honor of France is being transported to Germany and it must be stopped at
all cost. The only philosophical question that's left at the end is: were the paintings worth human lives?
That's difficult to answer, but it's a fine film directed by John Frankenheimer that's full of realism.
All in all, The Train is one of the best movies made.
12/20:
Chalk up The Train as one of the most exciting WWII pictures.
Nothing beats the sight of Burt Lancaster in action. He going down the ladder quickly, jumping off the train while it's in
motion, running across the bridge, and getting through the mountain range with a injured leg are some of the film's highest
points. Also, it has some great aerial shots, especially when the railyard is bombed.
Going against the fiery Burt Lancaster, Paul Scofield gives it all by putting on masterpiece acting to heighten the
black-and-white cinematography. Jeanne Moreau is also exceptional, bringing her French talent to the table. Naturally,
The Train asks an important question: which carries more worth, art or life? I feel the answer has to be the
latter as demonstrated at the end. A lot of people died for nothing so the rich could look at great paintings in mere seconds.
All in all, you can do no wrong with Burt Lancaster films, and The Train is one of them.