The Film Express
Did you fetch your ticket? Because we are about to take a tour of cinema's most interesting train tales. These films have kept audiences on the right track since their release. All puns and spoilers are intended!
Snowpiercer (2013)
This film is a post-apocalyptic action thriller directed by Bong Joon-ho. It's based on the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige. Here, the story takes place in 2031 and shows a world wrecked by a climate change experiment gone wrong.
Snowpiercer (2013) - HD Trailer by Giles Thomas
Snowpiercer (2013) (Cont.)
This experiment has basically frozen the Earth into a new ice age. The only people left are those on the Snowpiercer train. This train runs on a never-ending engine and goes around the world non-stop. In the bargain, it makes a little society of its own with clear class divides.
Snowpiercer Official US Release Trailer #1 (2014) - Chris Evans Movie HD by Rotten Tomatoes Trailers
Murder On The Orient Express (1974)
Murder on the Orient Express is praised for its cast and how well it adapts Christie's story. Thanks to Ingrid Bergman's performance, it grabbed an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. This film is set in 1935, when Poirot boards the luxurious Orient Express.
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Murder On The Orient Express (1974) (Cont.)
Traveling from Istanbul to London, the wealthy but unlikable Samuel Ratchett is found murdered in his compartment. The iconic Albert Finney plays the role of Hercule Poirot, a famous Belgian detective. And he is asked to solve the case, of course.
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
The Polar Express (2004)
The movie debuted on October 13, 2004, at the Chicago International Film Festival, and Warner Bros. Pictures distributed it in theaters in November of the same year. The Polar Express is recognized to have been the first all-digital capture film by the Guinness World Records in 2006.
The Polar Express (2004) - Back on Track Scene (2/5) | Movieclips by Movieclips
The Polar Express (2004) (Cont.)
The story is about a little boy who starts to question Santa Claus's existence. His doubts are dispelled when a magical train, the Polar Express, shows up at his house. The conductor asks him to board, and he does so, traveling to the North Pole with other kids.
Runaway Train (1985)
Two escaped convicts end up on a runaway train in Alaska, and things get super intense with a lot of action and drama. This is an American action thriller film directed by Andrei Konchalovsky, so don’t expect any less.
RUNAWAY TRAIN - Trailer (1985) by Josh Doke
Runaway Train (1985) (Cont.)
Played by Jon Voight, this man is a seasoned bank robber. He eventually becomes a hero among Alaska's Stonehaven Maximum Security Prison inmates. After enduring three years in solitary confinement, he plans his escape. The thriller features Rebecca De Mornay and Eric Roberts as well.
Strangers On A Train (1951)
Alfred Hitchcock made a cameo appearance in the film, as he often did in his works. As the film name implies, the main focus of the movie is on two men who meet on a train. They are Guy Haines (Farley Granger), a tennis player, and Bruno Anthony (Robert Walker).
train Strangers on a Train 1951 by Scott Hettrick
Strangers On A Train (1951) (Cont.)
Anthony proposes a chilling idea for the perfect murder: each man should kill the other's troublesome person. The psychological tension in this one is actually crazy. Even though it’s an adaptation of Highsmith's novel, it differs by giving Guy Haines a more favorable ending.
Meeting on the Train - Strangers on a Train (1/10) Movie CLIP (1951) HD by Movieclips
The Great Locomotive Chase (1956)
Written by Lawrence Edward Watkin, this piece is based on the Great Locomotive Chase, which took place on April 12, 1862. Union soldiers, who were led by civilian scout James J. Andrews, had hijacked a Confederate train named The General.
train The Great Locomotive Chase 1956 by Scott Hettrick
The Great Locomotive Chase (1956) (Cont.)
It was essentially an attempt to sabotage the Confederate railroad network and delay reinforcements during the war. The film was recorded in North Carolina and Georgia along the now-abandoned Tallulah Falls Railway. Fess Parker plays James J. Andrews, the leader of the Raiders.
The Train (1964)
The Train is a World War II thriller about a French railway inspector who's trying to stop the Nazis from snatching up priceless art treasures. The Train was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and is seen as one of the most innovative war films.
The Train (1964) - Theatrical Trailer | Remastered by Allusion to Shadow
The Train (1964) (Cont.)
The story takes place in August 1944, when Allied troops were getting closer to Paris. It is about German Colonel Franz von Waldheim, whose role is played by Paul Scofield. This movie was first released worldwide on June 8, 1964, and was directed by John Frankenheimer.
The Train (1964) Original Trailer [HD] by HD Retro Trailers
The Commuter (2018)
In The Commuter, former NYPD officer Michael MacCauley becomes part of a dangerous conspiracy during his daily train ride. A mysterious woman approaches him, and now he has to figure out which passenger is part of a plot, all while trying to keep his family safe.
The Commuter (2018) (Cont.)
This film holds a 55% Tomatometer score, with certain reviews considering it to be "exciting," "underrated,” and "engaging". Liam Neeson takes on the daring protagonist’s role of Michael MacCauley and sets on his journey to locate Prynne, a passenger.
The Commuter (2018 Movie) Official Teaser Trailer - Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga by Lionsgate Movies
Terror Train (1980)
A college costume party on a train? Sounds fun. But when the students are stalked by a masked killer, it takes a bad turn. Terror Train was reportedly conceived as a response to the success of other slasher films like Halloween. It was shot in Montreal, Canada.
Official Trailer: Terror Train (1980) by nickbtube
Terror Train (1980) (Cont.)
This Canadian slasher film, directed by Roger Spottiswoode, was released in October 1980. It had a budget of $3.5 million and grossed around $8 million during its theatrical run. It has an excellent cast of Jamie Lee Curtis, Ben Johnson, Hart Bochner, and more.
Official Trailer: Terror Train (1980) by nickbtube
Unstoppable (2010)
The movie is about Frank Barnes, an experienced train engineer played by Denzel Washington, and Will Colson, a newbie conductor played by Chris Pine. They team up to try to stop a runaway freight train loaded with toxic chemicals. Hence, the title.
Unstoppable (2010) Trailer HD | Denzel Washington | Chris Pine by Film Trailer Channel
Unstoppable (2010) (Cont.)
While they’re in a mad dash to stop the clock, Frank and Will come up with a game plan to slow down the train before it brings havoc. With effective direction and post-production work by Tony Scott and the team, this one was nominated for an Oscar for Best Sound Editing.
Unstoppable (2010) Trailer HD | Denzel Washington | Chris Pine by Film Trailer Channel
The Lady Vanishes (1938)
Besides the plot, what’s noteworthy here is the comedic duo of Charters and Caldicott, played by Wayne and Radford. The three main characters in the film are Iris Henderson (Margaret Lockwood), Gilbert Redman (Michael Redgrave), and Miss Froy (Dame May Whitty).
The Lady Vanishes | Full Classic Movie In HD | Mystery Thriller | Alfred Hitchcock by Retro Central
The Lady Vanishes (1938) (Cont.)
So, Iris Henderson takes a train trip across Europe, where she meets an older governess named Miss Froy. But when Iris wakes up, Miss Froy is missing, and no one else on the train seems to remember her either. What follows is a mysterious search supported by Gilbert Redman.
The Lady Vanishes | Full Classic Movie In HD | Mystery Thriller | Alfred Hitchcock by Retro Central
Emperor Of The North (1973)
Emperor of the North is a rough-and-tumble story about hobos during the Great Depression. In this work, Lee Marvin takes on the legendary character "A-No.-1." This man is determined to ride the freight train No. 19, operated by the conductor Shack (Ernest Borgnine).
Emperor of the North 1973 Trailer by Screenbound Pictures
Emperor Of The North (1973) (Cont.)
The movie was reportedly filmed along the Oregon, Pacific, and Eastern Railway's (OP&E) active right-of-way within the city of Cottage Grove, Oregon. With a screenplay written by Frank H. Smith and Robert Aldrich, no wonder it owns an IMDb rating of 7.2/10.
Emperor of the North 1973 Trailer by Screenbound Pictures
Silver Streak (1976)
This film marked the first collaboration between Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor, who went on to become iconic partners in comedy. Silver Streak was nominated for the Best Comedy Award at the Writers Guild of America, written by Colin Higgins directly for the screen.
Silver Streak (1976) Trailer | Gene Wilder | Richard Pryor by Film Trailer Channel
Silver Streak (1976) (Cont.)
About the plot, the movie focuses on book editor George Caldwell (Gene Wilder), who is going on the Silver Streak train from Los Angeles to Chicago. During the journey, he witnesses what he believes to be a murder involving an art historian.
Silver Streak (1976) Trailer | Gene Wilder | Richard Pryor by Film Trailer Channel
The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
This one’s crazy—four armed men hijack a New York City subway train, designated as "Pelham 1-2-3," during the afternoon rush hour. Apparently, the film's title refers to the subway train's call sign, which is based on its departure time from Pelham Bay Park station at 1:23 PM.
THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE (1974) | Hijacking the Train | MGM by Amazon MGM Studios
The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three (1974) (Cont.)
The film received two BAFTA Award nominations, including Best Film Editing and Best Sound. It was later remade in the year 1998 as a television movie and again in 2009 as a theatrical film. This one starred Denzel Washington and John Travolta.
THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE (1974) | Hijacking the Train | MGM by Amazon MGM Studios
The Shanghai Express (1932)
As an American pre-code film directed by Josef von Sternberg, this piece was set during the Chinese Civil War. It follows a group of passengers on the famous Shanghai Express train. The main character, Shanghai Lily, is played by Marlene Dietrich.
Shanghai Express (1932) Trailer by AdinaZed's Movie Trailers
The Shanghai Express (1932) (Cont.)
Dietrich is a courtesan who reunites on the train with her former lover, Captain Donald "Doc" Harvey (Clive Brook). The film was rightly nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction. It was released in February 1932.
Shanghai Express (1932) Trailer by AdinaZed's Movie Trailers
Source Code (2011)
This movie is about Captain Colter Stevens, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, who suddenly finds himself in the body of a random guy on a train heading to Chicago. It turns out he’s part of this secret government project called "Source Code”.
Source Code (2011) (Cont.)
The whole deal lets him experience the last eight minutes of someone else's life so he can stop a terrorist attack from happening. The movie did really well at the box office, as it pulled in over $147 million worldwide while costing around $32 million to make.
Train To Busan (2016)
Train To Busan first hit the scene at the Cannes Festival in May 2016 and truly grabbed people’s attention worldwide. It even led to a sequel titled Peninsula (2020) and an animated prequel that is named Seoul Station (2016).
Train To Busan (2016) (Cont.)
Seok-woo (Gong Yoo) is basically a dedicated fund manager who ends up taking a train to Busan with his daughter, Su-an to see her mom. Just when they think it’ll be a normal trip, a zombie virus outbreak occurs, and then it’s all about trying to survive it.
Train to Busan Official Trailer 1 (2016) - Yoo Gong Movie by Rotten Tomatoes Indie
Bullet Train (2022)
Directed by David Leitch, Bullet Train is an action-comedy film. It is based on Kōtarō Isaka's book, Maria Beetle. David Leitch, who is known for his work on action films like John Wick and Deadpool 2, brought his expertise to choreograph the fight sequences.
BULLET TRAIN - Official Trailer (HD) by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Bullet Train (2022) (Cont.)
The movie is about a bunch of assassins on a fast-paced bullet train heading from Tokyo to Kyoto. Each of them has their own job, but things get complicated when their paths cross unexpectedly. The film features Brad Pitt as Ladybug and Joey King as The Prince.
BULLET TRAIN - Official Trailer (HD) by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Danger Lights (1930)
Ever considered the lives of railroad workers and the challenges they face in their profession? Well, this work shows just that. The story has a dedicated engineer, played by Louis Wolheim. He is committed to his job and the safety of the trains he operates.
Danger Lights (1930) by Two Railfans
Danger Lights (1930) (Cont.)
It is believed that Danger Lights was largely filmed along the lines of the Pacific Railroad, also known as Milwaukee Road, Chicago, and St. Paul. Hence, one can see the authentic railroad settings. George B. Seitz is the director of this movie.
Danger Lights (1930) by Two Railfans
Denver & Rio Grande (1952)
Edmund O'Brien, a railroad engineer, is the lead character, while Dan Duryea is a rival railroad executive. We learn the story of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad as it deals with competition from other railroads and the tough job of laying tracks through rough lands.
Denver & Rio Grande by the NEW MRR&M
Denver & Rio Grande (1952) (Cont.)
The New York Times has stated that “The Denver and Rio Grande" isn't much of a motion picture, but it assuredly adds up to a picture in motion”. Another review says, “What is nice is the good Rocky Mountain location photography…”.
Denver & Rio Grande by the NEW MRR&M
Union Pacific (1939)
Union Pacific is based on a story by Frank Gruber, titled "The Great Railroad”. Set in 1862, the movie depicts the tough times the Union Pacific Railroad dealt with while trying to build a train line through the wilds on its way to California.
Union Pacific (1939) (Cont.)
There are characters like Jeff Butler (Joel McCrea) tasked with overcoming these challenges to ensure the railroad's completion. Similarly, there is Asa Barrows (Brian Donlevy), a financial opportunist who is seeking to profit from obstructing progress.
The Girl On The Train (2016)
After her marriage ends, Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt), a divorced lady, battles depression and alcohol-related issues. On her daily train ride, she builds an obsession with a couple she sees outside her window and who she believes lives the ideal life.
The Girl on the Train - Official Trailer - In Theaters October 7 (HD) by Universal Pictures
The Girl On The Train (2016) (Cont.)
Emily Blunt's performance in this film won her a nomination for the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress in a Drama. She rightly portrayed the essence of addiction, trauma, and mental health that make up this Tate Taylor-directed masterpiece.
The Girl on the Train - Official Trailer - In Theaters October 7 (HD) by Universal Pictures
