GAUGE THE ISSUE: Don't Judge A Film By The Title

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Any views or opinions expressed in this video are those of Chris Eden-Green. These are made without intention of offending anyone.
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The Train is copyright of MGM Studios.
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[@davidtoyne3224]

Certainly one of the best "train" movies ever made. A yearly watch for me.

[@nathanchan4653]

Also “The Train” has that “Train brake squeal noise” that a “certain show about a little blue embarrassment” used in later years

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

yeah I noticed that

[@the4tierbridge]

You know, that’s a stock sound effect.

[@harrisonofcolorado8886]

If Chris was irritated from the Emperor of the North being liked mostly because of a sound effect used there was used in "you know what show I'm talking about", I can only imagine what Chris may have reacted when he saw people liking The Train because the spitfire scene had a sound used in "you know what I'm talking about", and how he would have put that into this video.

[@sofa_king_ay]

Chris from a keyworker i thank you for saying all keyworkers as most of us get forgotten so thanks again, keep up the great work its keeping me going at the moment

[@thedanishtrain2004]

i really hope that none of the railways close down. god thing i that i have some money to donate. p.s chris stay save and take care.

[@barryosullivan5255]

The likes of the Bluebell, Severn Valley, NYMR and Great Central, the big boys if you will, should be fine. It is the small railways that may require more assistance

[@ItzDecster]

I volunteer for the Mary Valley Rattler in Gympie, Queensland, Australia. We have recently closed all station buildings and ceased all rail operations but we are saying that when this pandemic passes, us volunteers will pick up the shovels, oil cans and ticket punches and our railway will come back bigger and better than ever.

[@MatecaCorp]

I grew up on this movie, and I love it more every time I watch it. Thanks for giving it the attention it really does deserve!

[@samuelfarris1949]

Correction at 4:51-4:57: none of the EST-origin 230-B type survives in preservation; the engine referred to as being in the Mulhouse Railway Museum is actually a MIDI Railway - or French Southern Railway - example of a different design, which just so happened to share an SNCF district number with an ex-Eastern Railway 230-B. As for the film itself, while its physical execution is remarkable for the large part, and the music by Maurice Jarre really aids the austere feel, the story itself does somewhat play down focus on the characters in favour of how they each react to the art train plot, hence for instance why the romance scene doesn't really go anywhere; it's just one scene and it is kind of pushed aside thereafter to get back to the art train scenario. outside Colonel Waldheim and his senior officers, and the awkward romance moment. Similarly the Nazis are sort of glossed over with the exception of the main villain and his senior officers. Labiche and Papa Boule's dynamic could have been interesting if fleshed out a bit more as well. (Also, the Russian film mentioned in this video was actually released in 1948.) Regards, Samuel Farris.

[@steamandsmoke97]

One of my all time favorite films, while it does make me cringe a bit to see several 230.B's and a Bourbonaiss 0-6-0 get destroyed, the story and the filming itself is excellent. The air raid scene and the spitfire chase are real white-knuckle shots. I look at it from the standpoint of "what's done is done" and at least there's one or more surviving examples of the Engines depicted in the film. Papa Boule is by far my favorite character. I know several people like him 😁.

[@benjaminhack4145]

I love the Train Me and my dad watch it whenever it’s on the TV

[@1TruNub]

The train is an excellent film one of my favorite scenes revolves around papa boulle and I'm guessing his younger fireman Where he gets mad at him and says "don't just slap the oil on anywhere you idiot, Listen this Engine Has been running since before you were born she's like a woman if you don't treat her right shall make your life a living hell, And remember a grease job is not an oil bath"

[@eliotreader8220]

in France the footplate crews started out in the workshops so i guess that was meant to be a reference that the old engine driver started out as a steam locomotive engineer rather than a engine cleaner

[@jonrusek6503]

I just tried to find Road of Glory but eveywhere I search I find unrelated films with similar names.

[@Harrodsburg14]

Having difficulty with this one as well. Does anyone have a source for it?

[@jaswmclark]

I grew up as the son of a railway division point supervisor and our local cinema put on a special matinee for railway workers. I should also mention that during the war my father was an instructor at a training camp in Canada set up by the British to train American OSS agents in many of the sabotage tricks depicted in that film. I asked him what his impression of the film was. He said "That locomotive goes a long way without taking on coal or water!"

[@OlivierGabin]

Agreed. With the french film by René Clément "La Bataille du Rail", it is one of the most iconic film of the WW2 rail film genre. You tell it all : great actors, splendid settings, well-done scenario, you got all into a package. And, for my own, black and white photography is a plus.

[@hadrenrailway9971]

5:12 Fitting he talks about post-war/post-invasion engines appearing, while showing a clip featuring m24 Chaffees, a late/post war American Light tank.

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

My 8th grade english teacher recommended me to watch this. Glad I did.

[@thebluejintythomasthetanke587]

Your profile pic looks like Gordon has found a really old hopper of Henry's special coal

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

@@thebluejintythomasthetanke587 SHUSH

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

@@thebluejintythomasthetanke587 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oH-yaaquibCekLM

[@phil69881]

Along with "Zulu", "The Train" is one of my favourite films of the 1960s. Having said that, I was mad/sad enough to track the route the train seemed to take (using Google Maps - it is possible). From the yard, in Paris, to Metz and back.

[@athopi]

If you haven't seen it, Zulu Dawn is well worth a watch. It also has (a bit older) Burt Lancaster in it. Though it was filmed after Zulu, it is about the events leading up to those covered in Zulu.

[@phil69881]

@@athopi I have seen Zulu Dawn a few times too... Bob Hoskins playing the Colour Sergeant

[@sudrianrailwaystudios676]

That was Marvellous. Though with the closure of each railway, I doubt if they’ll open again maybe sooner or later.

[@SteamKing2160]

Since I got my hands on The Train special edition Blu-ray it has audio commentary scenes one from Director John Frankhenheimer itself Some noticeable things he said in that audio commentary were: - The museum interior shots was actually a set. - They used about 20 230B locomotives in the movie. - When they had to do a run-by shot, they had to back the train 5 miles to get it up to speed. Each take took about 1 hour and half to do. - The Vaires bombing scene was assisted by Charles de Gaulle''s son, Philippe de Gaulle. It took em bout a third of a year to get it all set up. - The explosions of the freight wagons, the switch tower, and the armored engine were actually real. The armored engine was a 230B shrouded just for it to be blown up on camera. - The crew during the Vaires bombing scene were in a bunker about 500 feet away from the explosions. - When the kid gets shot and falls off the Rive-Reine station roof, thats actually Burt Lancaster falling. - The film started production in summer 1963 and even though it was August, John Frankhenheimer remembered that it was quite cold. - The original director, Arthur Penn, wanted the film to be more about the paintings themselves. Burt Lancaster disagreed with this and John Frankenheimer was brought in. - Burt Lancaster (Labiche), Albert Remy (Didont), and Charles Millot (Pesquet) all learned how to drive the 230B locomotives with Lancaster learning how to set off a plastique bomb. Frankenheimer noted that Lancaster took his time to learn things. - The locomotive that derailed at Rive-Reine (where the big head-on pileup wreck happened) was actually going a heck of a lot faster than it was supposed to be going. The actor shots were done as an afterthought but the stuntman apparently got carried away causing one camera to be mere millimeters from the train wheels, not to mention a lot of cameras got destroyed in that scene. Each of those cameras back then cost $50,000 in 1964 money, around $465,000 today. - When the british planes flew over the train at Rive-Reine (cause the first 3 cars were painted white on their roofs), they were about 30 to 40 feet off the ground. - The spitfire chase scene was actually done as an afterthought and when the locomotive entered the tunnel it was doing about 70 mph. When it hit the locomotive at RIve-Reine it was doing about 60 mph and everybody thought it was gonna keep going into the town. - The German WW2 vehicles at the end of the movie when they were evacuating by truck were over 20 years old.

[@sebsiplays6028]

That video showed a lot of things i did not know. Burt lancaster really did a lot of awesome stuff!

[@SammyBFilms]

Really enjoyed this one Chris! Maybe during this heritage railway down time, you can do some more railway film reviews like this?? I remember seeing this many years ago, and thinking how well it stands today. :-) Next review, snakes on a train! I dare you!!! :-D

[@thomasm1964]

That opening statement made I larf!

[@otakurailfan]

You, good sir, deserve a medal. I watched this film since I was little. As an adult, I appreciate the movie's message. A wonderful movie. I highly recommend anyone who hasn't watched this film to go watch it!

[@lordmelbury116]

I think I may have mentioned this before but I remember a few years ago while browsing through pictures of trains on Deviantart I stumbled across screenshots and fan art of an Anime series called Galaxy Railways. The show was apparently a spin of series of another show called Galaxy Express but still I found Galaxy Railway to be a really quite strange as it's basically a science fiction where a Big Boy steam locomotive can fly through space.

[@RockyRailroadProductions_B0SS]

Great review, absolutely love this film - Good character motivations at the heart of great train sequences. I hadn't heard of Train Quest until the very end of this review, thanks for making me look it up

[@cogidubnus1953]

That was unexpected...and very good too...I've never seen this film, but will make a point of doing so now! Thank you...

[@The_New_IKB]

This is one of my favourite films ever!

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

1:42 that is a _fantastic_ stock photo.

[@thebluejintythomasthetanke587]

Just gives up on life

[@Telecoaster94music]

Ever thought about making a gauge the issue video about "Silver Streak" from 1976. I'd think you'd do a good discussion video about it

[@TankEngine97]

Definitely one of my all time favourite films.

[@highdownmartin]

Still never seen it. A treat in store. Thanks chris

[@naven2802]

I love The Train. Brilliant film

[@nvrthomas5056]

This looks amazing, same as Titfield Thunderbolt (I still haven't been able to see it, DAWN YOU CORONAVIRUS!!!)

[@lukebarber9511]

Have you heard of O. Winston Link? I always thought that the night sequences in this film reminded me of his photographs. Another trains in WWII film worth checking out: Closely Watched Trains (or as they call it on your side of the pond: Closely Observed Trains).

[@nvrthomas5056]

I can't wait for this plague to be over, but on the bright side I just got 2 more engines for my model railway, as well as some scenery, rolling stock and track from a friend. I'm going to say a friend because I don't think it wise I say their name, for the sake of privacy. I am very thankful for it, and can't thank them enough!

[@nvrthomas5056]

(The engines I got were a class 37 and a Caledonian Pug (Smokey Joe))

[@lukeslocomotives]

@@nvrthomas5056 I just got the hornby class 66 named after Tom moore

[@rolandharmer6402]

It’s one of the great films, let alone railway films. Having the film in black and white seems to help focus on the narrative and action. Good review too!

[@m222rjr]

Actually, it was made in b/w on purpose to be more realistic. I think it worked!

[@vectorbrony3473]

From the Royal Navy Medical branch, thank you

[@TheRoarinSpitty]

Please do more TTNS. The Train Now Starring

[@SteamKing2160]

Still my favorite train movie of all time Murder on the Orient Express 1974 being a close 2nd

[@leeproctor7622]

Great video thanks for the distraction we need it keep it up thanks

[@ieuanbriers]

This video made me want to go and watch it. I suspect you get a lot of requests Mister Eden-Green, but could you review 'North West Frontier' the 1959 film starring Kenneth More, Lauren Bacall and Herbert Lom?

[@laurenssmith9534]

When filming the train crash scene they didn’t think it would quite so violent so some of their cameras came a little closer to death then they would have liked. But it worked as the shots looked even better.

[@royreynolds108]

There was one camera left and the director said "Just bury it here"; some of the equipment went over it. After the wreck and starting to pick up the pieces they remembered the camera and it was still running. That is how some of the footage was achieved. The locos were set for scrapping and given cosmetic touches for the film.

[@the4tierbridge]

There were supposed to be 5 shots of the pile up. 3 of the cameras were destroyed in the crash.

[@davefrompa5334]

"The Train" is a great title. Right to the point!

[@Triplez43]

See being in the u.s I dont get a lot of praise for working in retail despite the current issue so thank you for the kind words and your welcome

[@JohnDavies-cn3ro]

An all time great film favourite of mine - just superb, tragic and sombre, as any war film needs to be. It was deliberately filmed in black and white for 'period feel', partly as a tribute to its inspiration, 'Battaile du Rail'. The SNCF cheminots really did get up to the kind of tricks shown in the film; many paid for their patriotism with their lives, and both films are salutes to them and their devotion. The trains are the real stars - 'Punch' magazine's reviewer said that when it was released. Probably the most authentic railroad movie ever made - relining the big end brasses, for example, or undoing the couplings on a moving train - that's the only way you can do it in reality; no Hollywood stage set nonsense. And the atmosphere - the neglect and filth, the grime of the real job, the oil, smoke and cinders....... terrific. To me its a study in obsession - the two protagonists increasingly determined to outdo the other at all costs, up until the final scene. Paul Schofield (who I see as more brutal than I think you do) talks himself to death - literally - and, the ultimate comment on the pointlessness of it all, Labiche simply limps away, leaving the bodies, and a fair few million Reichesmarks lying beside the track. "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?"

[@olly5764]

hope this pandemic doesn't last too long and you are able to get out and make films again soon mate.

[@ionmenadue9386]

Seen this film a couple of times, first was in the 1960s. Memorable scene is when Bert Lancaster's character is re-metalling rod bearings. Modern films seem to assume away this kind of thing rather than making it part of the drama.

[@jaswmclark]

I had to learn how to do this as an apprentice machinist.

[@Crimsonedge1]

You could do a "Steam locos in virtual profile" type thing where you collect pictures and random free-use video clips of engines and then do an episode... Would also allow you to feature trains that no longer exist of which there might only be a few pictures remaining. Would make it easy to talk about trains from other countries too as you're not required to leave the house to go and actually film the trains themselves. At least until all this is over and you can get back to the regular deal.

[@ChristheXelent]

If you'd like an idea of what that would look like and why I wouldn't pursue it, then a previous edition of this show called 'The Maybe-Not-Quite-So-Really Useful Engines' would give you an indication why I feel that wouldn't work. Thanks for thinking of it, though

[@witzendoz]

Watched it at least a dozen times, great film

[@warragulbogan]

i love playing trains

[@robertlucido3686]

About how you said Lancaster hurt his foot while playing golf, he actually injured his knee

[@Philc854]

Brilliant review, Chris. I wholeheartedly agree. I watched The Train only a month or two ago (on BBC iPlayer, I think) and was struck by all the points you've just made. As for your GTI preface, yes these are going to be difficult times for our Heritage Railways and for yourself as a film maker. But please keep churning out GTIs as they are highly entertaining (which we desperately need in these house-bound times) and informative. And also perhaps look to some other ways of keeping our railway interests alive. I'm sure you can come up with the goods. Over to you, and keep up your excellent work! -Phil Copleston

[@invisibleman4827]

Yeah, look after yourself Chris, stay safe. ❤

[@AlongPreservedLines]

The train seems like a great film, I’m yet to watch it but I’ve seen the clips and it looks great

[@robertwilloughby8050]

Probably my Dad's favourite film. And not far off my favourite, too.

[@mamodsteamreturns5492]

as a key working my self ..thank you

[@athopi]

Yep, love that film. Can't imagine any other actor right for that part as only Lancaster had the skills to do it. I like this one just a tad more than Von Ryan's Express.

[@fordson51]

First war film I ever saw. Loved the action and the pacing. I did not understand cinematography at the time but still loved it. Always believed you should not over romanticize war films and this is one of those that does it well.

[@1TruNub]

You can't drive-through an air raid Watch me fire up that engine!

[@james.black981]

Hey Chris. Love THE TRAIN. definitely an amazing bit of Cinema. Would love to see you review more classic railway cinema in the future, but please avoid the crappy stuff. It's just not worth it.

[@mels4796]

wonderful video

[@OddBallThe4th8382]

train fan+history film buff...sign me up!

[@ninalli]

Great video!

[@jacobramsey7624]

I have watched that movie a bunch of times and it is great! I would highly recommend to anyone to watch. Even movie theaters should consider showing this film. Would it be ruined if it were put into color?

[@reesochacon1448]

Hey, Chris. Do you think that new-build projects such as Patriot-Project, new-build Claud Hamilton, new-build LNWR George V, both Footballer projects, the P2 Mikados, etc. will also shut down because of COVID-19? What about locomotives under overhaul such as Oliver Cromwell, 1420, 42765, Sir Nigel Gresley, Kinlet Hall, etc.? Those under restoration such as Sidmouth, 46428, 42859, all three preserved 7200s, etc.? I apologize if I overloaded you on questions.

[@LordAKiraAndou]

I am positive i watched this movie in color as a kid but l do have the dvd in black and white

[@H-24-66]

I am having trouble finding anything on Road of Glory, can anyone help?

[@robertcouch9021]

To me The Train is a fantastic movie not only because I'm a steam locomotive fan but also I'm really interested in WWII stuff but yeah I saw the inaccurate stuff but like you said they worked with what they got and it looked the part, not like some other movies I seen *cough* LONE RANGER *cough*

[@nathanchan4653]

Will there be another "Gauge The Issue" about Dr Beechings, something tells me that Beechings had a phobia of trains and Dr Beechings had a MAJOR disgust of steam locomotives?

[@warrenlehmkuhleii8472]

I love this film, but as a history buff in general, the jerries were using American tanks. And they were almost always ushering the MP40 when most of them would use the 98k. But this film is so great I can look past its historical flaws.

[@LunaIsOnYoutube]

Is there somewhere I can watch it online?

[@paulhorn2665]

Yes it is one of the great film of all times.

[@kineticrail]

I think its the correct film. for the life of me I couldn't remember the name of it, does this have the scene were they put a penny in the oiling point so it runs hot or am I going to have to keep raking my brains for the that one

[@ChristheXelent]

Yep, this is the one

[@kineticrail]

@@ChristheXelent finally no idea how long i have searched to find this one after watching on the tv when k was a kid.

[@ssarnold19]

Hi Chris hope you're safe inside like the rest of us. Hopefully the heritage sites stay safe and well funned by everyone donating. I have a request for your next or one of your next gauge the issue on movies please can you do the railway children ? It's one of my all time favourite movies from when I was a child and books to. Not big fan of the re make but regardless there both in my opinion really good railway movies.

[@PowerTrain611]

This was a great movie. Burt Lancaster really gave it his all!

[@robertbalazslorincz8218]

Wait, ive already watched this film

[@Mr.RailYard-LJLRailYard]

Pretty good video

[@matthewpeter]

One of my absolute favourite films ever. I thought I knew a lot about it but you threw in a couple of new tit bits there I wasn't aware of (re martin Martin Luther King). Cheers Chris I'm going to go watch it now

[@oregonrailfan7046]

Maybe you could look at 587 the great train robbery and Trainmaster aswell as train quest those are pretty bad train movies aswell 587 the great train robbery was filmed at the Indiana transportation museum which was sadly evicted from its home somewhat recently some of the equipment got scrapped the engines featured are nickel plate road 2-8-2 #587 and Monon F7A #96 and F7A #83. Trainmaster was filmed in my home state of Oregon on a class 3 Shortline called the Portland and western the engines featured are P&W SW1200R #1201 which now works on another Shortline in Albany Oregon call the Albany and eastern P&W GP39-2 #2307 P&W GP39-2 #2303 and P&W GP40 #3006

[@someaustralianguy4807]

Short while i wish

[@tridentmusic5570]

Not badly done at all ! Thanks for the most sensible comments on preservation financial starvation endemic through the Pandemic. I have FOUR ( ! ) in a 7 mile radius (Derbyshire) and can only give a bit ! Help where you can folks, x

[@thedanishtrain2004]

hallo chris. do you as a train enthusiast think that the railways will close down because of covid 19.

[@robertbalazslorincz8218]

Yea boi he does

[@Frserthegreenengine]

Some kid in the future: "So tell me how all the Railway movement suffered severe financial damage and took ages to recover." Me: *strokes beard* "It all started in a wet market in Wuhan, China..." *explains story* Kid: "So you're telling me that the entire world stopped and all of this happened because some rich man in China ate an infected animal?"

[@iainyoung6878]

Not sure the wet markets are really the hunting ground of China's rich

[@terryaltherr2481]

@@iainyoung6878 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioHToH19jtGKa5Y

[@edscoble]

Can you please make your content accessible by adding closed captioning? the auto captioning is very difficult to follow making it hard to enjoy your content.

[@russellgxy2905]

So SNCF allowed a movie production team to air raid one of their yards so they could have a better excuse to modernize it? That's so crazy and clever at the same time and I don't know what to think of it Also yeah, they chose one of the least exciting titles for the movie, which I kinda feel is a sin. It looks way too good for a simple title like "The Train." I might have to give it a look at some point

[@robertwilloughby8050]

It's SNCF. The byword for finding the maddest way to do the right thing.....

[@stamrly418]

Oh yes ...... the remains are shown as hero’s too.

[@stamrly418]

Self checking TRAINS are

[@patrickstevenson4635]

Loved the film except for Burt Lancaster. Wearing American clothes and having an American accent we are supposed to believe he is a Frenchman. All the other actors have a near accent. Character actors are the best; they become the character, accent, clothes the lot. Actors like Burt Lancaster just read lines.

[@engineerskalinera]

First! Hello! :)

[@TrainMan88]

First

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

…to delete their account?