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Titfield Thunderbolt
1953
Comedy of railfans who take over their village's passenger train service (against bus company resistance) when British Rail abandons it. Read more
| Starring | Stanley Holloway, George Relph, Naunton Wayne, John Gregson |
|---|---|
| Director | Charles Crichton |
| Genres | Comedy |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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Although it gives off an undeniably warm glow, this tale of the rescue of a much-loved branch line clearly shows that the Ealing comedy express was beginning to run out of steam. Only in this rather too cosy world could social protest be undertaken on behalf of the forelock-tugging lower classes by squires, bishops, vicars, bumbling town clerks and amiable drunks. Despite a patronising tone and writer TEB Clarke's failure to realise the full potential of the satire, this is still an entertaining piece, thanks to director Charles Crichton's formidable talent and the highly polished playing of the cast.
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Undervalued on its release in the wake of other Ealing comedies, this now seems among the best of them as well as an immaculate colour production showing the England that is no more; the script has pace, the whole thing is brightly polished and the action
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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7 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Classic British Comedy
This is a glorious film, one of the best of a barrage of great comedies from this period. It's a wonderfully simple tale, where people want to retain their traditions against the inexorable tide of progress. In the same way that we now look back with nostalgia to the 50's, 60's, 70's etc, it brings a slow smile to the face to see that, even in the early 50's progress was a visitor that was not always welcomed with open arms. The story of the film is that a small group of locals want to retain their steam train service rather than see the line close and a modern bus service be used in it's place. Their are lovely sub plots - the eccentric but rich drunk, who agrees to finance the train because it means he can drink in the train bar whenever the train runs. The romance between the steam roller driver and the barmaid. The vicar who worships his trains far more than he worships god, and more besides. Wonderfully acted, and set in beautiful English countryside, it is a film that you can watch over and over again - and it appeals to all ages. My two young children love this film.
Rent it and enjoy! -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Transport of Delight !!
For lovers of old transport,1950's manners, & the good guys winning in the end. Does exactly what it says on the tin.
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
British comedy and a wonderful steam engine.
Ealing comedy plus a great cast of old favourites makes this a very enjoyable 80 minutes - unless you hate characters such as steam engine mad Vicars, small village fighting back against the sytem, etc.
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Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Transport of Delight !!
For lovers of old transport,1950's manners, & the good guys winning in the end. Does exactly what it says on the tin.
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Such A Pity about this DVD
This delightful movie was completely spoilt for me because of the very poor quality DVD and poor soundtrack the makers couldnt be bothered to even print subtitles
I saw this film many years ago and enjoyed it so much so was looking really forward to seeing it again
It was filmed in the beautful Limpley Stoke valley just ten minutes from the beautiful city of Bath and as a young man in my 20s I watched it being made the summer that year was so beautiful
Sadly all the stars in the movie have passed on including the director
Good clean fun and no smut (only from the steam trains)
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7 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Classic British Comedy
This is a glorious film, one of the best of a barrage of great comedies from this period. It's a wonderfully simple tale, where people want to retain their traditions against the inexorable tide of progress. In the same way that we now look back with nostalgia to the 50's, 60's, 70's etc, it brings a slow smile to the face to see that, even in the early 50's progress was a visitor that was not always welcomed with open arms. The story of the film is that a small group of locals want to retain their steam train service rather than see the line close and a modern bus service be used in it's place. Their are lovely sub plots - the eccentric but rich drunk, who agrees to finance the train because it means he can drink in the train bar whenever the train runs. The romance between the steam roller driver and the barmaid. The vicar who worships his trains far more than he worships god, and more besides. Wonderfully acted, and set in beautiful English countryside, it is a film that you can watch over and over again - and it appeals to all ages. My two young children love this film.
Rent it and enjoy! -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Transport of Delight !!
For lovers of old transport,1950's manners, & the good guys winning in the end. Does exactly what it says on the tin.
-
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
British comedy and a wonderful steam engine.
Ealing comedy plus a great cast of old favourites makes this a very enjoyable 80 minutes - unless you hate characters such as steam engine mad Vicars, small village fighting back against the sytem, etc.
-
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Such A Pity about this DVD
This delightful movie was completely spoilt for me because of the very poor quality DVD and poor soundtrack the makers couldnt be bothered to even print subtitles
I saw this film many years ago and enjoyed it so much so was looking really forward to seeing it again
It was filmed in the beautful Limpley Stoke valley just ten minutes from the beautiful city of Bath and as a young man in my 20s I watched it being made the summer that year was so beautiful
Sadly all the stars in the movie have passed on including the director
Good clean fun and no smut (only from the steam trains) -
Classic british comedy
Ealing studios at their finest
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Fans of Thomas the Tank Engine will love this
Although it doesn't say so this film is clearly inspired by the works of the Rev. W Audrey. The engine's don't actually speak but they form the main focus of attention. There is a dastardly bus aiming to put the railway out of business, a battle between a grouchy road roller and a steam engine, a runaway train that de-rails and finally a retired engine from the museum that saves the branch line. All in all it's good clean fun that will be greatly enjoyed by boys in the 5-10 age range. However, it's not really suitable for adults other than steam railway fanatics.
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Classic
This is just a classic comedy in my opinion. Havn't seen it since I was a kid, but I still laughed to myself in places! Pretty good story aswel.
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Ealing Comedy at its best
What a pleasure to go back to a more simplistic age and enjoy good clean humour without the need for obscenities. This is pure boys own adventure stuff but now 50 years on has its own satirical message. Pure escapism for a cold winters evening
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Best of british
This film is as fresh and funny as the day it was made.
A truley timelass master pice from the hight of the british film industry!! -
Funny Film
Had a good laugh watching this old film. It is a pity we don't have a decent railway system in this country anymore.
Critics' reviews (2)
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Although it gives off an undeniably warm glow, this tale of the rescue of a much-loved branch line clearly shows that the Ealing comedy express was beginning to run out of steam. Only in this rather too cosy world could social protest be undertaken on behalf of the forelock-tugging lower classes by squires, bishops, vicars, bumbling town clerks and amiable drunks. Despite a patronising tone and writer TEB Clarke's failure to realise the full potential of the satire, this is still an entertaining piece, thanks to director Charles Crichton's formidable talent and the highly polished playing of the cast.
-
Undervalued on its release in the wake of other Ealing comedies, this now seems among the best of them as well as an immaculate colour production showing the England that is no more; the script has pace, the whole thing is brightly polished and the action
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
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Titfield Thunderbolt
Comedy of railfans who take over their village's passenger train service (against bus company resistance) when British Rail abandons it....
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