Luke
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CibbuanoThe Train
November 3rd 2006 11:11
The Train (1964)
Dedicated to the 'gallant french' for all the lives they gave to save a bunch of paintings from the Nazis, this sharp, black and white war actioner is one of director John Frankenheimer's babies from a rising age of cinematic realism.
Frankenheimer was a somewhat undersung stalwart of thrillers and action-dramas, probably most well-known for 'The Birdman of Alcatraz' and the original 'Manchurian Candidate'. He died just recently in 2002 and was still directing right up until his death. 'The Train' is the kind of dependable war potboiler you can find in most shops now for $10 or so, gaining a second life due to the DVD boom.
Burt Lancaster does his stern, 100% manly hero routine here, playing Paul Labiche - the kind of rogue who finds himself falling in with the French Resistance against his better judgement. The train of the title is a train filled with art masterpieces that belong to the French... sensing that the war will soon end, the local Nazi, Colonel Von Waldheim, is trying to loot all he can. These two men pull this train back and forth... the Nazi powered by greed and a perceived sense of higher culture, the Frenchman fighting for his country's legacy. It's a struggle not so much about art but more about morale, dignity and preserving one's cultural identity in the face of the horrors of war.
Von Waldheim is played by Paul Schofield (an esteemed theatrical player who has appeared in far too few films), and he is probably the most interesting thing in the film. His desperation to hold onto these works of art becomes symbolic of Germany's flailing at the end of the war. His cultured demeanour and arrogance plays off well against Lancaster's own self-assured everyman persona. Their eventual showdown at the end is an extremely effective scene.
Whilst slow in some parts and a little too wrapped up in the finer details of the true story it's based on (adapted from a book by French Resistance leader Rose Valland), 'The Train' is a worthy tale of courage and the war's end in France. The film's crisp cinematography and gritty tension is also indicative of the growing wave of realism that directors like Frankenheimer began to employ in their films around this era, so if you like war films this is definitely one to check out.
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
You're a very active little fellow aren't you. Good theme for this post.
You've got my votes and you know my rules and yes it is.
See you soon at my new site, Ms Paint Art, a thin disguise for the brain and mind. Not so many questions this time so you can be quick.
You did well with those questions, as I said, you're an active little fellow.
katyzzz look forward to seeing you!
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I actually rank The Train quite high in the John Frankenheimer (All Fall Down, Ronin, Manchurian candidate, Iceman Cometh etc) cannon.
They actually derailed a real train for the finale and it truly is a spectacle to watch in widescreen DVD transfer.
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
I've only seen Ronin out of those films (sad I know), I have so much catching up to do.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Also Frankenheimers 7 Days In May with Kirk Douglas and Lancaster is gold.