The "Films on a Train" Blu-ray thread

[noirjunkie]

A train is one of my favorite film settings, so I thought I'd make a thread dedicated to this sub-genre.

This post is divided into three lists.

1. The first list only includes films that take place at least almost entirely on a train or feature a train that is absolutely central to the plot.

2. The second list includes films that contain at least one pivotal scene that involves a train, but do not feature a train as pivotally as the films in the first list. The second list will be trickier to put together, but in essence, every film on it should feature a train that somehow figures meaningfully into the overall story (in other words, just because a few characters spend a couple minutes on a train, that doesn't mean the train is significant).

3. The third list is a bonus list of films that, as of now, meet the criteria for inclusion in List #1 but have only been released on DVD. Some of them, such as Sudden Fear, are slated for future blu-ray releases, and once they have been released on blu, they'll be moved to list #1.

All lists are organized chronologically. Also, I've decided to include subway films like The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, since subways are basically underground trains.

Please post the films I haven't yet included. If you make a suggestion, please include your rationale for why it belongs on either List #1 or List #2. I might not have seen the film(s) you're suggesting, so you'll need to post your reasoning for why the film(s) in question should be added to the OP. Thanks.

List #1

List #2

List #3

[Scottie]

From Russia With Love?

[TheGeneral]

Unstoppable

[pksmith74]

Snowpiercer
Throw Momma From the Train
Runaway Train
3:10 to Yuma

[RebelPrince1986]

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by iScottie

From Russia With Love?

If the film doesn't take place on the train, it needs to be about the train. From what I can remember (it's been a long time since I've seen it), this film doesn't meet that criteria.

Originally Posted by pksmith74

Snowpiercer
Throw Momma From the Train
Runaway Train

Regarding Throw Momma From the Train, see my comment above. I'll add Snowpiercer once a pre-order is up. Adding Runaway Train now.

[TheGeneral]

http://www.americabyrail.com/Blog/ta...-All-Time.aspx

[TheGeneral]

Originally Posted by iScottie

From Russia With Love?

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

If the film doesn't take place on the train, it needs to be about the train. From what I can remember (it's been a long time since I've seen it), this film doesn't meet that criteria.

FWIW, the link just provided lists that as one of the "best train action movies"

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by TheGeneral

FWIW, the link just provided lists that as one of the "best train action movies"

I know, but that list includes a lot of films with only tangential connections to trains. Does anyone really consider Back to the Future: Part III a train movie?

To keep it simple, I'm not including films that only feature a single scene, or even a few scenes, or a trains. Otherwise, the list would become incredibly bloated. I'm trying to keep it pared down.

Also, to preemptively address this issue: just because the title has the word "train" in it, that doesn't mean the film is primarily set on or about a train (e.g. Strangers on a Train, Plains, Trains and Automobiles, etc.).

[pro-bassoonist]

[CastrosfriendChe]

Under Siege 2

[MifuneFan]

Train (2008)

[kaseaver]

Human Desire
Night Train to Munich

High Noon
Schindlers List
Stand By Me

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by noirjunkie

If the film doesn't take place on the train, it needs to be about the train. From what I can remember (it's been a long time since I've seen it), this film doesn't meet that criteria.



Regarding Throw Momma From the Train, see my comment above. I'll add Snowpiercer once a pre-order is up. Adding Runaway Train now.

While I see that many people are either ignoring or misunderstanding your criteria, I'd have to strongly disagree with excluding From Russia With Love. Several Bond films (Live and Let Die, The Spy Who Loved Me, Goldeneye) feature scenes set on trains and I would exclude them, however, a large chunk of screen time in From Russia With Love takes place on a train, pivotal scenes such as

[Show spoiler]Red Grant impersonating a British agent, murdering Kerim Bey, getting into a fight with Bond, revealing to Bond the involvement of SPECTRE

, all take place on the train. To exclude From Russia With Love IMHO would undermine the point of this thread.

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by baheidstu

While I see that many people are either ignoring or misunderstanding your criteria, I'd have to strongly disagree with excluding From Russia With Love. Several Bond films (Live and Let Die, The Spy Who Loved Me, Goldeneye) feature scenes set on trains and I would exclude them, however, a large chunk of screen time in From Russia With Love takes place on a train, pivotal scenes such as

[Show spoiler]Red Grant impersonating a British agent, murdering Kerim Bey, getting into a fight with Bond, revealing to Bond the involvement of SPECTRE

, all take place on the train. To exclude From Russia With Love IMHO would undermine the point of this thread.

You've made a good case for this film's inclusion, and since I haven't seen it in a long time, I'll use your arguments as justification for including it.

To everyone else making suggestions, thank you. However, please make sure you read the criteria for a film's inclusion in the OP before suggesting a title.

[Pirate King]

Would it be too much of a stretch to mention Dumbo? Union Pacific? and I am sure this film will not qualify, but how about How the West Was Won? One of the segments was about the railroads, and the last part of the film has one of the great train scenes in film. If you are thinking that I "just don't get it", that's ok, cause I am old and don't care.

[mdonovan]

Major train scene ...

[rkolinski]

From Train to Dust (aka Snakes on a Train)
La Bataille du rail
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by rkolinski

From Train to Dust (aka Snakes on a Train)
La Bataille du rail
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

I thought you were joking about Snakes on a Train. Leave it to Asylum to come up with that one.

La Bataille du Rail is already in the OP. I'll add Butch Cassidy.

[spanky87]

Night Train. A 1959 Polish film that is set entirely on a train.

Good film by the way. I think Poland has the only blu-ray release.