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Blu-Ray : Worth a Look
Ranking:
Release Date: June 10th, 2014 Movie Release Year: 1964

The Train

Overview -

In 1944, a German colonel loads a train with French art treasures to send to Germany. The Resistance must stop it without damaging the cargo.

OVERALL:
Worth a Look
Rating Breakdown
STORY
VIDEO
AUDIO
SPECIAL FEATURES
Tech Specs & Release Details
Technical Specs:
Limited Edition of 3,000 Units
Video Resolution/Codec:
1080p/AVC MPEG-4
Length:
133
Aspect Ratio(s):
1.66:1
Audio Formats:
English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono
Subtitles/Captions:
English SDH
Special Features:
Original Theatrical Trailer
Release Date:
June 10th, 2014

Storyline: Our Reviewer's Take

Ranking:

Before 'Runaway Train,' 'Unstoppable,' and 'The Monuments Men,' there was 'The Train,' a full-throttle, if somewhat lumbering, actioner that mixes history with popcorn thrills and showcases the athleticism of its beleaguered star, Burt Lancaster. Though filled with enough crashes, explosions, and gunfire to satisfy the most jaded action junkie, this John Frankenheimer film travels in fits and starts, picking up speed one minute, then taking its foot off the gas the next. The jerky rhythm often impedes the movie's momentum, especially as the narrative stretches beyond its natural arc, so by the time 'The Train' reaches the end of its very long line, we are weary travelers indeed. And what we're left with after the clouds of steam dissipate and the soot and grime settle is an intermittently exciting, loud, and overblown exercise in suspense that surely satisfies, but only sporadically exhilarates.

Traversing similar terrain as 'The Monuments Men,' 'The Train' chronicles the efforts of a group of French freedom-fighters, who stop at nothing to thwart the plan of a fanatical Nazi colonel to plunder dozens of French art treasures by such iconic geniuses as Renoir, Van Gogh, and Picasso during the waning days of the Third Reich. Col. Von Waldheim (Paul Scofield) knows the Allies will liberate Paris any day, so with the efficiency that defined the Nazi regime, he orders his minions to quickly load France's priceless stash of irreplaceable art onto a chartered train bound for Germany, where the paintings will conveniently disappear into Hitler's coffers. The square-jawed stationmaster, Labiche (Lancaster), must engineer the train's safe passage to the Fatherland, but he's also in cahoots with the Resistance, which decries the pillaging of France's national heritage. In a race against time, Labiche bands with a motley group of saboteurs, sending the train on a circuitous path in the hope Resistance and Allied forces will derail and destroy it before it reaches the border...without damaging the precious cargo lodged inside. That's a tricky proposition, and it provokes a spirited battle of wits between Labiche and Von Waldheim, who proves to be a formidable (and extremely pig-headed) adversary, that soon consumes and ravages both men.

In the days before CGI became an action director's best friend and closest ally, honest-to-goodness stunts had to be carefully orchestrated and executed - without the luxury of retakes - and from that standpoint alone, 'The Train' is an impressive production. Collisions, derailments, and detonations are thrillingly presented from a variety of angles, including the air, which enhances the scope and impact of such set pieces. Lancaster nicely integrates his acrobatic ability into the film (he was a circus performer before he became a movie star), yet many of the actor's impressive maneuvers often seem like scripted opportunities for shameless showing off. Though the film is largely remembered for its action sequences, the screenplay by Franklin Coen and Frank Davis received an Oscar nomination, and features some memorable lines and ruminations on the nature and importance of art in society. But there's little symbiosis between the narrative and exciting train scenes, and the resulting choppiness combined with the picture's indulgent length stymie what should have been a taut, efficient thriller.

Its basis in history lends 'The Train' appropriate gravitas (it's inspired by the memoir of Rose Valland, who almost single-handedly catalogued, protected, and recorded the whereabouts of artistic masterpieces stolen and later hidden by the Germans, thus enabling the Allies to relocate them after the war), but too much intrigue and over-the-top action often trivialize the true-life tale. While Scofield, who would win the Best Actor Academy Award for his stoic performance as Sir Thomas More in 'A Man for All Seasons' two years later, crafts a masterful portrayal as the devious, tortured Nazi colonel, Lancaster is largely inert in his far more blustery role. First and foremost, Lancaster refused to adopt a French accent, so it's impossible to believe he's really a Gaul, especially when he's interacting with authentic Frenchmen. And his overly studied acting style reportedly drove co-star Jeanne Moreau - often dubbed France's answer to Bette Davis - crazy. She complained to a reporter: "Burt Lancaster! Before he can pick up an ashtray, he discusses his motivation for an hour or two. You want to say just pick up the ashtray and shut up." Even Frankenheimer, who replaced Arthur Penn as director a few days into shooting at Lancaster's request (and shifted the focus from the cerebral to the physical), later confessed to a cinema historian: "If Burt Lancaster and I had that film to do over again, we would both do it differently."

That's quite an admission, especially considering the film's popularity. Yet while I marvel at the movie's dazzling look (the black-and-white cinematography is consistently stunning) and admire the construction of its action sequences, I can't help but wish 'The Train' got under the skin of its two leads more completely. That was the film's original intent, but when Frankenheimer came on board, Lancaster persuaded him to take the story in a different direction - most likely because the star needed a hit movie after a string of sophisticated disappointments. The powerful ending packs a punch, but some judicious tightening and more concentration on how the works of great artists inspire passion in those who appreciate them and promote a sense of patriotism would have made a more lasting statement. Unfortunately, 'The Train' quickly loses sight of its premise and instead becomes more of a generic good guys versus bad guys wartime tale. And on that level it's still a good movie, but it doesn't set itself far enough apart from its cinematic cousins in a very cluttered genre.

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

'The Train,' a limited to 3000 edition from Twilight Time, arrives on Blu-ray packaged in a standard case. An eight-page booklet that features an essay by historian Julie Kirgo, a color reproduction of the movie's poster art, and several black-and-white scene shots, is tucked inside the front panel. Video codec is 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 and audio is DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0. Once the disc is inserted into the player, the static menu without music immediately pops up; no previews or promos precede it.

Video Review

Ranking:

'The Train' would have looked beautiful in color, but the black-and-white photography by French cinematographers Jean Tournier and Walter Wottitz lend it an appropriate grit and striking period feel that suit the film well. Twilight Time's 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer celebrates the artistry on display, thanks to excellent contrast and clarity, both of which highlight the drab, misty exteriors and stark interiors well. A natural grain structure maintains the look of celluloid, but never overwhelms the image and remains fairly consistent throughout. Some scenes exude a slightly softer appearance than others, and exposure levels vary a bit, too, due to the location shooting, but rarely do the discrepancies produce a jarring effect. Terrific gray scale variance brings out lots of details and textures, shadow delineation is quite good, and background elements are always easy to discern. Close-ups spotlight facial features well, from furrowed brows and facial hair to careworn creases, sweat, and battle scars.

My main gripe with this transfer is the lack of clean-up. 'The Train' is 50 years old, and at times, it looks its age, due to innumerable specks and marks that dot the print. The damage is evident from the opening frames, and though levels of intensity flucuate throughout, almost every scene is affected. Never is the picture unwatchable, but the constant stream of faint speckles becomes slightly annoying over time, especially for sticklers like me. Despite this nagging issue, the transfer for 'The Train' earns solid marks. I just hope the proliferation of Twilight Time releases doesn't compromise their quality in the future.

Audio Review

Ranking:

Though it is only mono, the DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track pumps out plenty of potent sound that enhances the action sequences and maximizes the impact of every sonic element. Excellent presence, depth, and fidelity distinguish the track and make us believe the soundscape is wider than it is. The piercing shrillness of train whistles and air-raid sirens are marvelously rendered, while myriad crashes and explosions possess formidable heft, despite the lack of a designated bass channel. The rat-a-tat-tat of machine gun fire is appropriately crisp, and accents such as footsteps come across cleanly. Superior dynamic range handles the highs and lows of Maurice Jarre's music score with ease, and all the dialogue is easy to comprehend. No distortion mucks up the works, and no age-related imperfections, such as hiss, pops, and crackles, betray the film's vintage nature. Though it can't compete with modern-day, multi-channel action movie tracks, this effort is solid, immersive, and very pleasing.

Special Features

Ranking:

If audio commentaries are your thing, then you'll enjoy the supplements included on this disc. Otherwise, you're pretty much out of luck.

  • Audio Commentary - Twilight Time regulars Julie Kirgo (who writes the liner notes for all the company's releases) and Nick Redman sit down with film historian Paul Seydor to discuss 'The Train,' and their lively remarks keep this commentary rolling throughout the film's lengthy running time. Rhapsodic praise - for Lancaster, Frankenheimer, the cinematographers, screenwriters, and supporting cast - dominates their conversation, yet all the superlatives and amazement lose their zing after a while, especially due to the lack of factual information relayed. Some background on the film's personnel would be nice, as well as a bit more context concerning the historical events depicted in the movie. (Kirgo skirts the surface, but leaves us thirsty for more details.) The trio does voice some criticisms late in the film, but this is a very fan-friendly effort.

  • Audio Commentary - Director John Frankenheimer shares his experiences making 'The Train' in the second commentary, and though his remarks are sporadic at best, he provides essential insight into the production of this film. It's always preferable to hear a director speak about his own work, rather than listen to others analyze it, and Frankenheimer's focused, nuts-and-bolts reminiscences enhance our appreciation of his work. He talks about the brutal cold weather the cast and crew had to endure, cites the various locations employed, breaks down complex shots and set-ups, and defends the use of black-and-white film stock. He also expresses amazement over Lancaster's ability to execute so many rigorous stunts and tellingly admits several scenes were added on the spur of the moment and improvised, thus padding the running time and derailing the film's focus. A few colorful anecdotes spice up this track, which, despite Frankenheimer's droning monotone, is definitely worth a listen.

  • Isolated Score Track - Enjoy the full impact of Maurice Jarre's rousing music without distracting dialogue and effects.

  • Theatrical Trailer (SD, 4 minutes) - The original preview for 'The Train' shows too many climactic action moments, but certainly whets one's appetite for the film.

Final Thoughts

Just like that freight train that keeps you waiting forever at the railroad crossing, John Frankenheimer's 'The Train' tries our patience with its length, but the bursts of action in between all the talk are exciting enough to keep us on board until this steel-jawed action flick reaches the end of the line. This may not be one of Burt Lancaster's most memorable portrayals, but it's certainly one of his most athletic, and his star power and blistering intensity bolster his performance. Paul Scofield, however, brings his A game as a stubborn, frustrated Nazi who will risk everything and expend everybody to secure the artistic treasures of France for the crumbling Third Reich. Twilight Time's Blu-ray presentation features a solid, if speckle-ridden, video transfer and potent mono audio, and provides a couple of commentaries for fans. Action aficionados and World War II buffs will certainly want to give this flick a spin; for all others, it's worth a look.