1964 was a banner year mainly because I was born and soon my dad would nickname me the screaming Hyena but that is for another day. There were many great events that happened that year like the Beatles coming to America but also some great films like A Hard Day's Night which you can review at At All Things Kevyn. This is part of Hitchcock's Announcing the 1964 Film Blogathon
I chose "The Train" starring Burt Lancaster and Paul Scolfield (under-rated actor) and directed by the great John Frankenheimer.
I don't consider myself a critic nor have the ability to write like so many critics where they blow me down with their words and cocksure attitude but I know what I like and love and I love this movie. ...I mean film!
It takes place during WW2 and how a nasty German Kraut (Scofield) steals priceless pieces of art to be placed on a train and taken out of France to Germany. Burt Lancaster plays the reluctant French resistance hero.
It is filmed in black and white( never put colour to this film...or any film!), It is stark and well-acted. The Train derailments and explosive scenes are real! Burt Lancaster limping is real (he twisted his ankle golfing so the director used it to enhance the film) as well as Burt's stunts. He was a circus performer once so seeing him in action gives this film even more realism. Of course this is based on actual events and one wonders about all the art that has been seized and never found which is a detriment to humanity!
I saw this film 2 years ago on the now defunct "Saturday Night At The Movies" (I weep that it is gone and miss the great Elwy Yost) and I could not leave my seat from the clever writing and action in this film. There are certain scenes that always stick with me that make a film a true highlight and the last scene in this film, which questions the very nature of art and humanity, made me weep.
It certainly sounds like an enjoyable action movie. I might have to consider watching it at some point.
ReplyDeleteYou should check it out. A secret gem!
DeleteColorization... Ewwww! They never made it look right. They've stopped trying, haven't they?
ReplyDeleteI've never seen this one, but it sounds like one I should check out.
Oh yes you should check this one out and i believe they did stop colourization -what a fiasco
DeleteA real train derailment? All CGI now, so that would be wild to see.
ReplyDeleteyes A real one plus they blew up a station as the French government wanted it destroyed anyway and they didn't have the funds so it was a win/win for the movie and progress. One can see the ground move when the real dynamite explodes
DeleteHaven't seen the Train, but did see A Hard Day's Night years ago. Now I'm curious to see what movies were made in the year I was born :)
ReplyDeletebetty
You should check it out-Love to know which movies made your hit list for the year you were born
DeleteLove The Train. A very very very underrated film. Lancaster is one of my all-time favourite actors, and this is one of his best roles.
ReplyDeleteSee ya 'round the web.
It is underrated and a great film! he did a superb job and great to see how easy it was for him (well appears to be easy) to do his own stunts
DeleteI've never seen that one, but I love classic movies!
ReplyDeleteThis is not a film one can see often but so highly recommended and a great philosophy on man and art
DeleteThis movie looks very interesting! I found it on Hulu. Now I just need to carve out the time and watch it.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! It is an excellent film and if you watch it let me know what is your favourite/most riveting scene
DeleteLast year (or was it this year?) I saw a movie with George Clooney and a bunch of his friends that had a similar story line, except it was them getting art away from the Nazis. Also based on a true story. No trains though, so it must be another story. I'll look for "The Train". I like Burt Lancaster, especially when he does his acrobatic stuff.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. Colorization is the yucks. I saw a colorized Dorothy Lange Depression photo. It did not have the same impact as the B&W.
The View from the Top of the Ladder
I believe the "Monument's Men" took what was going on, in general, during WW2 with finding the stolen art. "The Train" is one small part that happened across Europe and I believe there were over 300 men dispatched to find the stolen art. Let's hope they never colorize any more movies
DeleteI've never seen this one, but it looks fun! Thanks for all the trivia details - so funny about the golfing - not a sport one usually thinks of as dangerous. lol
ReplyDeleteThis is a hidden gem:) I know-golf is not what i think of as a rough and tumble sport:)
ReplyDeleteThe Train! I haven't thought about that in years. Great film. I'm going to see if I can find it and watch it again. Thanks for stopping by my blog today via my daughter, Stephanie. I enjoyed reading your blog and I'll be back for more!
ReplyDeleteWell thank you! It was nice to read your blog and your thoughts on aging. I hope you can find the film and re-watch it
Deletelove the reality of this movie - everything is so fake in movies these days, but no one seems to mind the computer animated f/x... change is good and bad, aging is mostly a bummer. but we make the most of the time we have, right?
ReplyDeleteno colorizing!
and wanted to thank you for stopping by my broken branch falls blog tour at julie's!
You are right about the fake and it is so much that I become bored by it. i like substance in a film
DeleteSaw this many many many moons ago. I remember getting all dressed up to go to the movie theatre ( I believe it's called a Cineplex now) with my parents ... and on the way home bombarding my Dad with a gazillion questions about the war! Must watch it again. Hope you are well, Birgit.
ReplyDeletehugs, Asha
I am doing better:) This is a great film and if you watch it again you will probably stir up fond memories watching it with your parents
DeleteHaha, OF COURSE it was a banner year for film when you were born - those two things must be related ;) You know, I have to confess that I've never heard of this movie, but I want to see it now! I'm so glad to see you back - I hope you're feeling better!
ReplyDeleteThanks a Mil:) It's a great movie and I have a feeling it is much better than The Monuments Men. I have to watch the latter film though
DeleteI saw this film for the first time a year or two ago. I really liked it, but as is typical for me I mostly forget it. Guess I need to see it again. It is a good film though.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
It is quite good and my memory can go pretty fast after seeing some films:)
DeleteThis sounds interesting. I should tell my hubby about this film, he enjoys WWII films a lot :) Thanks Birgit for visiting my blog during my blogging absence...I am slowly getting back in the groove :)
ReplyDeleteOh I think he will enjoy this film and glad you are back:)
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