A captivating true story-inspired war film will be airing on television today with an impressive 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Train, directed by John Frankenheimer in 1964, received an Academy Award nomination for Best Screenplay.
Set in August 1944 during World War II, the movie revolves around French Resistance fighter Paul Labiche, played by Burt Lancaster, confronting German Colonel Franz von Waldheim. The plot focuses on the Nazi officer’s mission to transport stolen art back to Germany by train.
Based on the non-fiction book Le front de l’art by Rose Valland, an art historian at the Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume, The Train sheds light on the Nazis’ looting of French museums and private art collections. Although the French Resistance delayed the shipment on August 1, 1944, the actual event was hindered by paperwork and bureaucracy rather than action, leading to the recovery of the stolen art near Paris.
The film incorporated real-life incidents, including the Allied bombing of a rail yard using dynamite. Director Frankenheimer believed that shooting The Train in black and white enhanced the overall quality, while actor Burt Lancaster, a World War II veteran, contributed his wartime experiences to the film.
Audiences praised The Train as a “masterpiece,” lauding Lancaster’s performance and the compelling storyline. Critics also commended the film, highlighting its excellent performances and thought-provoking themes related to the ethics of war.
Catch The Train on BBC Two this Sunday at 2:20 pm, with the option to stream it later on BBC iPlayer.