One of the worst movies I've ever seen

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

The movie is about a episode that happened in 1944. When France was still occupied by the Nazis, they decided to steal paintings from the Paris museums. This film is about a shipment that the French has to save before he ends to Germans, but they also don't want to be destroyed in the process.Burt Lancaster stars as a French train engineer that has to transport the shipment. At first is not a easy task, but he succeeds in the end. Meanwhile he becomes friend with a hotel owner played by French actress Jeanne Moreau (that passed away last year). And the other members of the cast are fine. Paul Scofield as a German general is great (and Scofield also starred in other great movies after this), and it was a treat seeing French comedian Michel Simon in a war movie (just like Bourvil in THE LONGEST DAY).This movie had great direction by John Frankenheimer, great performances by all the actors, and also great photography in Black and White. Although a bit dragged in some places, it was still great to watch! And as a fan of the history from 1850 until these days, I liked the movie for his accuracy and his action scenes.

I had not heard of this film nor read the synopsis so knew nothing other than it was a war film of 1964 starring Burt Lancaster.The film started almost immediately without the long wait watching titles, with the added surprise it was shot in black and white, this as so often happens added to the historical aspect of the film.The ex circus performer Burt Lancaster's performance showed in parts his athletic prowess and I wondered when in the engine repair shop he picked up a heavy connecting rod, was that a prop, or was it as heavy as it looked. A war film, with an original plot especially for the time it was produced, made watching the 2 hours 20 minutes go by without a moment of boredom and I thoroughly enjoyed it, hence my high score of 10/10.

I've been watching this movie from time to time for many years, but, the time I remember best and love most is when I watched it with my 'train-fanatic' little Son. He loves this movie as much as I do, and, I'm sure that anyone who likes train adventures, or, adventures of any kind, will like this, too. My Son never left the living room during the entire movie! :)This really is a classic movie with a great story, great actors, and, a lot of action...especially when Burt Lancaster is speeding away in the train and trying to take cover from the German fighter plane.I not only recommend this movie to war buffs, but, also to anyone who likes a great adventure movie that never gets dull for even a second.I give "The Train" a Solid NINE STARS! :)

John Frankenheimer does a first-rate job directing this riveting and atmospheric WWII film set in August 1944, as the approaching Allies are forcing a German retreat from France, but a German commander(Paul Scofield) arranges for the French art treasures he values to smuggled out of the country in secret by train. Burt Lancaster plays station master Labiche, who is in charge of making the trip run smoothly, but is also a member of the resistance, so must delay the train as much as possible, then when no more delays will be tolerated, actively tries to sabotage the train, no matter the cost, though he is also ordered to not damage any of the valuable paintings, which are France's heritage.Burt Lancaster is excellent here, both in his performance and how he handles the physical action, which is most impressive, as is the on location filming, giving this picture a welcome look of authenticity, and building to an action-packed finale.