Classic Rail Films to Enjoy
When it comes to your holidays by train, it's almost certain you're looking for a relaxing, peaceful journey, with plenty of opportunities along the way to make cultural discoveries and see the sights of a host of European locales. When it comes to the glamorous world of classical trains presented by films, however, quite the opposite is true. Films need to engage and entertain the viewer, and some of the most iconic presentations of European train journeys in film have been attached to nail-biting suspense since the era of black and white silent films. It's a world away from the safe, peaceful reality of the modern-day holidays by train €" but a lot of fun to watch nonetheless! Here are a few favourite rail thrillers.
The Lady Vanishes
Made in 1938, €The Lady Vanishes' is known for being one of famed horror director Alfred Hitchcock's first films, where the suspense of the plot comes from psychological uncertainty. It's a wonderfully shot film with some strong performances, as passengers on the train attempt to convince the central character, Iris, that another passenger she was talking to (Miss Froy) was never on the train in the first place. Hopefully you'll never run in to a similar situation on holidays by train!
The Narrow Margin
This 1952 movie is often hailed as €the greatest B-Movie ever made', and the premise certainly doesn't disappoint. In this hard-boiled noir thriller, gruff detective Walter Brown must escort a mouthy gangster's widow safely to Los Angeles in order to testify at a grand jury. However, assassins are already aboard the train, and the film quickly becomes a claustrophobic thriller, with some sparkling dialogue. Walter Brown's, €Listen, jingle-jaw!' is one of the great forgotten lines of cinema history, and although the film is set in America, it does capture the universal dynamism and excitement of rail travel in a bygone era.
The Train
Although the title of this 1964 war movie isn't quite as descriptive as €The Lady Vanishes', or quite as thrilling as €The Narrow Margin', it remains a riveting film. Starring Burt Lancaster, that iconic action hero of 60's Hollywood who performed many of his own stunts in the era before computer-generated effects - the plot of the movie focuses on a mission to stop a Nazi train without damaging its priceless cargo of artworks. Brought to life by director John Frankenheimer, it's a world away from modern European holidays by train and the director's later movies, which would include the famous €The Manchurian Candidate'.
The Lady Vanishes
Made in 1938, €The Lady Vanishes' is known for being one of famed horror director Alfred Hitchcock's first films, where the suspense of the plot comes from psychological uncertainty. It's a wonderfully shot film with some strong performances, as passengers on the train attempt to convince the central character, Iris, that another passenger she was talking to (Miss Froy) was never on the train in the first place. Hopefully you'll never run in to a similar situation on holidays by train!
The Narrow Margin
This 1952 movie is often hailed as €the greatest B-Movie ever made', and the premise certainly doesn't disappoint. In this hard-boiled noir thriller, gruff detective Walter Brown must escort a mouthy gangster's widow safely to Los Angeles in order to testify at a grand jury. However, assassins are already aboard the train, and the film quickly becomes a claustrophobic thriller, with some sparkling dialogue. Walter Brown's, €Listen, jingle-jaw!' is one of the great forgotten lines of cinema history, and although the film is set in America, it does capture the universal dynamism and excitement of rail travel in a bygone era.
The Train
Although the title of this 1964 war movie isn't quite as descriptive as €The Lady Vanishes', or quite as thrilling as €The Narrow Margin', it remains a riveting film. Starring Burt Lancaster, that iconic action hero of 60's Hollywood who performed many of his own stunts in the era before computer-generated effects - the plot of the movie focuses on a mission to stop a Nazi train without damaging its priceless cargo of artworks. Brought to life by director John Frankenheimer, it's a world away from modern European holidays by train and the director's later movies, which would include the famous €The Manchurian Candidate'.
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