WasAnnon
Slow pace in the most part of the movie.
Lucybespro
It is a performances centric movie
Salubfoto
It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.
Francene Odetta
It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.
shakercoola
A fictional serio-comic story about a mass escape of 600 American and British prisoners-of-war across 1943 Nazi-controlled Italy. It's a POW escape, and re-capture, and then seizure of a Nazi freight train which is bearing prisoners for delivery to the Germans in Austria. They divert the train across northern Italy in an attempt to find haven in Switzerland.
The film has quite a long, sluggish start, but recovers well with far-fetched but thrilling sequences. Sinatra gives an understated performance as the American Colonel given over to ruthlessness when needed. Trevor Howard has a determined air of ruthlessness as the British officer. Both roles dovetail well because there are some surprisingly ruthless moments which give the film a slight edge over many other WWII set dramas of the time.
vincentlynch-moonoi
...because I usually don't like war movies. Maybe one in twenty...and I saw lots of them because when my dad would come home on leave from the Air Force, if there was a World War II film at the theater, he would always drag me to see it. I also am sure this is a good film because I could take Frank Sinatra or leave Frank Sinatra...it just depended on the particular film (or for that matter, record). Sinatra could certainly tug at your heartstrings...occasionally...perhaps the best examples being "A Hole In The Head" and "The Joker Is Wild". He didn't pull at your heart strings in "Von Ryan's Express" (except for the very last couple of minutes), but he did turn in a very good performance here. Some have mentioned that he was too old for the part. Well, technically I suppose that is true, but if you're worrying about that, then you're too damn picky. Who was too old for the part was Trevor Howard. Actually, Howard and Sinatra were close to the same age, but Sinatra looks pretty good here, while Howard looks all washed out (of course, you could make the case that war will do that to you).The other actors here do nicely, too. As to the plot, implausible? Sure, like most movies out there. I didn't find myself suspending belief here any more than I have to for most films. I particularly liked seeing Edward Mulhare; a very good but largely forgotten supporting actor. You'll see other faces you recognize, as well, but probably not whose names you remember.Location shooting for this film helped a lot, although some of the locations were no in Italy, but instead in Spain.If you like Sinatra and war films even a little, I think you'll like this film. I recommend it. I give it a very strong "7".HOWEVER, if you are updating your DVD collection with Blu Ray discs...don't bother. The Blu Ray disc I bought of this was somewhat grainy in many spots. It won't prevent you from enjoying the film, but it is noticeable and occasionally distracting.
grantss
Great WW2 drama. Really a movie of two parts: the first half is a character-sketching, human intrigue, battle-of-wills drama. The second is an action-drama, complete with a train chase and breathtaking Alpine scenery.Decent plot and solid direction. Could easily have degenerated into a pointless action movie, but even in the second part it had enough non- action drama to keep it very interesting.Frank Sinatra brings his trademark swagger and bravado to the lead role, and the role suits him. Good support from Trevor Howard. Lesser parts are well-performed too.
Thunder287
I was wondering about the microwave towers in the background when the train stops to feed the prisoners. Would those have been there in 1943? I sure there were some ego issues with the main actors. I have always wondered why set directors never show the shadows passing in scenes within cars and trains. To me it's a flaw.I don't have 10 lines so I'll repeat it.I was wondering about the microwave towers in the background when the train stops to feed the prisoners. Would those have been there in 1943? I sure there were some ego issues with the main actors. I have always wondered why set directors never show the shadows passing in scenes within cars and trains. To me it's a flaw.
