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Poster for The Train

The Train

Seen it?

1964 | 133 min | War, Thriller

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing and history buffs. If you loved Inglourious Basterds or Schindler's List, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense, intense.
The pace
Fast-moving, at 2 hr 13 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1964: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

As the Allied forces approach Paris in August 1944, German Colonel Von Waldheim is desperate to take all of France's greatest paintings to Germany. He manages to secure a train to transport the valuable art works even as the chaos of retreat descends upon them. The French resistance however wants to stop them from stealing their national treasures but have received orders from London that they are not to be destroyed. The station master, Labiche, is tasked with scheduling the train and making it all happen smoothly but he is also part of a dwindling group of resistance fighters tasked with preventing the theft. He and others stage an elaborate ruse to keep the train from ever leaving French territory.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.6 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Nominated for 1 Oscar and 1 BAFTA.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $7 million worldwide on a $6 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 114K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by John Frankenheimer

  • Burt LancasterPaul Labiche
  • Paul Scofieldvon Waldheim
  • Jeanne MoreauChristine
  • Suzanne FlonMademoiselle Villard
  • Michel SimonPapa Boul
  • Wolfgang PreissMaj. Herren
  • Albert RémyDidont
  • Charles MillotPesquet
  • Richard MünchGeneral von Lubitz
  • Jean-Pierre ZolaOctave