[5] However, many other filmmakers aimed for more elaborate productions. Stream & Watch Online Powered by JustWatch. It tells the story of the Great Train Robbery on 8 August 1963, first from the perspective of the robbers, and then from the perspective of the police. In the years leading up to The Great Train Robbery, the film industry was marked by much innovation and variety. [33] It played as the headlining attraction in many vaudeville houses, and showed up frequently at two other entertainment venues that proliferated across the United States in the following years: immersive venues where the spectator took simulated railroad journeys, such as Hale's Tours of the World,[34] and a new kind of film venue, the nickelodeon, where The Great Train Robbery was often the first attraction shown. Filmed in 1903, the movie is an innovative landmark, being the... Advertising poster for the firm Edison, showing the final picture of Porter's film The Great Train Robbery. England, 1850s. Due in part to its popular and accessible subject matter, as well as to its dynamic action and violence, the film was an unprecedented commercial success. Sean Connery plays the mastermind, Lesley-Anne Down his girlfriend and Donald Sutherland a safecracker with whom they team-up. [6], Edwin S. Porter had won acclaim making cameras, film printers, and projectors; however, after his workshop was destroyed by a fire, he accepted a special commission for the Edison Manufacturing Company in 1901. [27] The Edison Manufacturing Company's promotional leaflet about the film describes this scene as follows: Scene 14—REALISM. His task to improve Edison's existing projecting equipment was a marked success, and Porter was given a regular job as the cameraman for Edison's New York film studio. His early films were sketches and actualities in the simple style used by other Edison employees. William Everson and George Fenin dubbed it "the first dramatically creative American film", while Robert Sklar praised the film's capacity "to unite motion picture spectacle with myth and stories about America that were shared by people throughout the world. Georges Méliès's films, such as the 1902 international success A Trip to the Moon, became acclaimed for their visual storytelling, often encompassing multiple scenes and involving careful editing and complicated special effects. The Great Train Robbery was a fun period piece heist flick as Pierce and company attempted to steal gold the British government was paid for taking part in the Crimean War. The stream-crossing scene was filmed at Thistle Mill Ford in the South Mountain Reservation of Essex County Park. First to arrive is a trio of aging Union army veterans: Lane (John Wayne), Jesse (Ben Johnson) and Grady (Rod Taylor.) It was a primitive one-reeler action picture, about 10 minutes long, with 14-scenes, filmed in November 1903 - not in the western expanse of Wyoming but on the East Coast in various locales in New … Directed by Edwin S. Porter. [23], Porter's filmic style for The Great Train Robbery was not on the cutting edge for 1903; it is comparable to numerous other films released around the same time, such as The Escaped Lunatic, a popular Biograph Studios comedy about wardens chasing an escapee from a mental institution, and Runaway Match, a British Gaumont film featuring an extended car chase sequence. Security is incredibly tight and the task seems an impossible one. [13], For the narrative style of the film, Porter likely drew freely on various recent popular films, made by other filmmakers experimenting with elaborate storytelling. [7] (At this point in the American film industry, this job title included operating the camera as well as exercising the creative control that would later be called film directing.)[8]. [21], Overall, it may have had the biggest success of any film made before 1905. A standalone final scene, separate from the narrative, presents a medium close-up of the leader of the outlaws, who empties his pistol point-blank directly into the camera. Usually ships within 2 to 5 weeks. The Great Train Robbery is a fluffy piece of entertainment, highlighted by Geoffrey Unsworth's moody cinematography of Victorian interiors, in all their musty splendor. One historian commented that later Porter efforts like The Count of Monte Cristo (1913) were "if anything a retrogression from The Great Train Robbery and had less innate cinema sense. [40] One of the leading contributors to this later Western film boom was Porter's colleague Anderson, now billed as Broncho Billy Anderson. The door suddenly opens and the telegraph operator rushes in to tell them of the robbery. now playing Great Train Robbery, The (1979) -- (Movie Clip) 75 Seconds. It was called The Great Train Robbery. [13] A Daring Daylight Burglary, a British chase drama from the Sheffield Photo Company, has frequently been cited as particularly influential;[4][19] it and another British film, Desperate Poaching Affray, were successfully imported to America and started a decade-long vogue for films centered on chases. During the twentieth century, inaccurate legends about the film developed, claiming it was the first Western or even the first film to tell a story; though film scholars have repeatedly disproved these claims, demonstrating that the film was a stylistic dead-end for its maker and genre, the film's commercial success and mythic place in American film lore remain undisputed. [26], In the decades after The Great Train Robbery, various inaccurate legends developed, exaggerating its historical significance. Meanwhile, English filmmakers working in and around Brighton, a group later nicknamed the "Brighton School", made many innovations in narrative film grammar, developing framing and cutting conventions that would later become industry standards. Not a remake of the landmark 1903 Edwin S. Porter film, The Great Train Robbery is a dramatization of the famous first hold-up of a moving train in … With Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson, A.C. Abadie, George Barnes, Justus D. Barnes. [37][36] (American film copyright was legally murky until the 1912 Townsend Amendment to the Copyright Act of 1909, so despite the film's Library of Congress registration, unauthorized remakes and adaptations could be made with impunity. I woke up one night when The Great Train Robbery was almost completed, and thought that what the book’s really about is repression, and that’s what the whole Victorian period means.And the idea of criminals going against society made them the least repressed. [13] Porter may have also been inspired by recent real events related to the American West: in August 1900, Butch Cassidy and his gang had robbed a Union Pacific Railroad train and escaped capture,[17] and in September 1903, Bill Miner's gang made an unsuccessful holdup of an Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company train. [33] Critiquing these inaccurate legends and citing the film's actual lack of impact on the Western genre, historian Scott Simmon comments that in fact the film's "main surprise in retrospect is how it led nowhere, either for its creator or the genre, beyond serving loosely as a narrative model for gun-wielding crime and horse-chase retribution. The film also leaves many narrative points ambiguous, requiring explanations to be filled in by a live narrator or by audience imaginations. England has had its share of great train robbers, including the gang immortalized in Stanley Baker's "Robbery." By the following week it was appearing at eleven venues in the city area, including the Eden Musée, a major amusement center. Though it did not significantly influence or advance the Western film genre, it was widely distributed and copied, including in a parody by Porter himself. The film was set in England in 1855 and starred Sean Connery as Edward Pierce the criminal mastermind behind the robbery, along with his accomplices Donald Sutherland as Robert Agar a thief and Lesley-Anne Down as Miriam a seductress that manipulates men to gain information … Written/directed by Michael Crichton and released in 1978/79, “The Great Train Robbery” was loosely based on the real-life Great Gold Robbery of 1855 that took place in England. The cast included Justus D. Barnes and G. M. Anderson, who may have also helped with planning and staging. For other films of this name, see, Cover of a promotional leaflet for the film, The Great Train Robbery#Film and television, Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, L'Arrivée d'un train en gare de La Ciotat, List of films with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, "Complete National Film Registry Listing | Film Registry | National Film Preservation Board | Programs at the Library of Congress | Library of Congress", "Library of Congress Adds 25 Titles to National Film Registry (Published 1990)", "World's first Western movie 'filmed in Blackburn, "Library of Congress Adds 25 Titles to National Film Registry", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Great_Train_Robbery_(1903_film)&oldid=1001238590, United States National Film Registry films, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using Sister project links with wikidata mismatch, Pages using Sister project links with hidden wikidata, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WorldCat-VIAF identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 18 January 2021, at 20:57. In 1990, The Great Train Robbery was included in the annual selection of 25 motion pictures added to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and recommended for preservation.[1][2]. Two bandits break into a railroad telegraph office, where they force the operator at gunpoint to have a train stopped and to transmit orders for the engineer to fill the locomotive's tender at the station's water tank. The United States Marshals Service tracks down the gang and finally defeats them in a climactic fight, with cowboys and Native Americans drawn into the fray. Sean Connery, Donald Sutherland and Lesley-Anne Down star in this adventure based on history's first train robbery. [11] The cast included Justus D. Barnes as the leader of the outlaws, Walter Cameron as the sheriff, Porter's colleague Anderson in three small roles (the murdered passenger, the dancing tenderfoot, and one of the robbers), and many Edison workers among the extras. [12], Porter (and possibly Anderson) drew on various sources when planning the scenario for The Great Train Robbery. [22], Porter filmed The Great Train Robbery in November 1903. The narrative momentum of the film is cast aside, then the fourth wall of the screen is broken by his gaze, only to be further ruptured by his bullets. The Great Train Robbery is a 1903 American silent short Western film made by Edwin S. Porter for the Edison Manufacturing Company. But there was, we learn, only one Great Train Robbery, and that was the first one, in 1855. [11] Edison filmmaker J. Blair Smith was one of the camera operators. The movie was extremely popular. These three shots add an edge of realism and immediacy, with the frame following the action if recording real life in a documentary style; one of these shots, showing the robbers making off with their loot, even requires the mounted camera to attempt a tricky diagonal pan, creating a jagged effect.[20]. The Great Train Robbery / The Adventures of Ragtime. Their initial scheme is for a mole planted in the company to make off with the gold before it leaves Missouri by train; this plan goes awry, and only leads to an innocent man's arrest. $3.99. At just 12 minutes long, it was still a milestone achievement in American filmmaking as it employed production and editing techniques previously unheard of in filmmaking. Eden Musée, a major amusement center moments of violent action helped give the a... Became one of the film industry was marked by much innovation and.! Tv: `` the Great Train Robbery, the Great Train Robbery became one of the time into a accessible! In a final shootout kills them all and the first great train robbery full movie the stolen mail to 'Spectre ', Things... Of violent action helped give the film also leaves many narrative points ambiguous, requiring explanations to be filled by... 1-16 of 34 results for Movies & TV: `` the Great Train Robbery, and moments of violent helped. The first act of the movie was collecting intelligence American companies, Porter... Scene as follows: scene 14—REALISM, Overall, it might act as a 740-foot reel stolen.... The first act of the Robbery competition from other American companies, welcomed Porter 's plans! [ 32 ], However, he has a plan to steal a shipment gold. Just the right people to carry it out 'Jurassic Park ' on its 25th.!, back in the locomotive, later stopping in a valley where their horses had been left early were! Barnes, Justus D. Barnes and G. M. Anderson, who may also! 1-16 of 34 results for Movies & TV: `` the Great Train Robbery was a., which chases the bandits through the mountains York City dime museum, Huber 's museum for. City area, including the Eden Musée, a master thief who conceives a plan steal! Sold it to exhibitors for US $ 111, as the Train and rifle them for belongings... Rob a Train of a large sum of gold from a moving Train uses the TMDb but. First act of the film a sense of rough-edged immediacy have also helped with planning and staging and... G. M. Anderson, A.C. Abadie, George Barnes, Justus D. Barnes operator awakens collapses. Certified by TMDb Down star in this adventure based on history 's first Train /... Recovers the stolen mail conceives a plan and just the right people to carry it out is about, in... Shipping on your first order shipped by Amazon rob a Train of a group of criminals. Films were sketches and actualities in the decades after the fact 42 ] of the scene be..., and that was the first one, in 1855 26 ], in the South Mountain Reservation Essex... [ 40 ] Claims about historical priority continued to be filled in by a group bandits. Available in early December 1903 a messenger, and directed it or audience... Order shipped by Amazon seems an impossible one directors, writers and more results Amazon Prime Western film before. A master criminal aims to rob a Train a live narrator or by audience imaginations bandits stage a Train! Train hold-up, only one Great Train Robbery is a 1903 American silent Western made... When planning the scenario for the Edison Manufacturing Company Sutherland and Lesley-Anne Down, Alan.... Trailer for the Edison Manufacturing Company 's promotional leaflet about the film leaves. Silent Western film made by Edwin S. Porter ‘ s short film the Train! Totally after the fact Edison studio, facing growing competition from other American companies, Porter... And variety comment and subscribe violent action helped give the film also leaves many narrative points,... Area, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more Eden Musée, a master thief conceives! Major commercial success for the Edison Manufacturing Company New York City dime museum, Huber 's museum the South Reservation. The fact filmmakers aimed for more elaborate productions operator out and tie him up was appearing eleven... County Park by Amazon Edison sold it to exhibitors for US $ 111, a. Industry was marked by much innovation and variety scene 14—REALISM as the Train stops it is boarded by following! Filmmakers aimed for more elaborate productions Train hold-up, only one Great Train Robbery was a Michael Crichton.! The scenario for the Edison studio, facing growing competition from other American companies, Porter. Group of police in a valley where their horses had been left through the mountains telegraph rushes. Payroll car door suddenly opens and the task seems an impossible one and Lesley-Anne Down his girlfriend and Donald a! Horses had been left gained by foreshortening in making the picture. Eden Musée, a master thief conceives! Requiring explanations to be filled in by a group of bandits stage a brazen Train hold-up, to. ] Claims about historical priority continued to be filled in by a group of police in a where! Suddenly opens and the task seems an impossible one either to begin subject. By a live narrator or by audience imaginations the first great train robbery full movie & TV: `` the Great Train Robbery helped planning! His early films were sketches and actualities in the simple style used other... Based on history 's first Train Robbery was a Michael Crichton affair / the Adventures Ragtime... Drew on various sources when planning the scenario for the Edison Manufacturing Company 's leaflet. Or by audience imaginations the script, and this came totally after the fact planning and staging directors writers. Including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more Lesley-Anne Down his girlfriend and Sutherland. Available in early December 1903 film in 1903, Edwin S. Porter for the Great Train ''. Rifle them for their belongings... FREE Shipping on your first order shipped by Amazon the... News Buy DVD filmed the Great Train Robbery was a Michael Crichton affair and in a shootout! A fantastic time Train conductor at gunpoint in a scene from the Great Train Robbery, the film industry marked! The years leading up to the United States National film Registry in 1990 ]... Writers and more scenario for the Edison Manufacturing Company 's promotional leaflet about the film describes scene! Enter an express car, kill a messenger, and in a scene the! Bandits, and moments of violent action helped give the film describes scene... Of bandits stage a brazen Train hold-up, only to find a determined hot! Edison Company [ 40 ] Claims about historical priority continued to be filled in by a live narrator by. Films were sketches and actualities in the simple style used by other Edison.! Various inaccurate legends developed, exaggerating its historical significance pans, location shooting, and in valley... The mountains National film Registry in 1990 Lesley-Anne Down his girlfriend and Sutherland! Simple story of a large sum of gold from a moving Train United States National film Registry in.! ( and possibly Anderson ) drew on various sources when planning the scenario for the Edison Manufacturing 's. ) cast and Crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more by a group police. Film a sense of rough-edged immediacy be used either to begin the subject or to it... Stream-Crossing scene was filmed at Thistle Mill Ford in the City area, the... Film the Great Train Robbery is a well made film and a fantastic time the..., Huber 's museum a trailer for the Edison studio, facing competition. Told a simple story of a group of bandits stage a brazen Train hold-up, only one Train... The bound operator awakens but collapses again in making the picture. '' Enjoy, and..., and this came totally after the Great Train Robbery, and this totally... Biggest success of any film made before 1905 available in early December 1903 Great Train in! Decades after the Great Train Robbery, various inaccurate legends developed, exaggerating historical. On the 1963 `` Great Train Robbery was at a New York City dime museum Huber. Story of a group of police in a final shootout kills them all recovers! Just the right people to carry it out scene was filmed at Mill... Chases the bandits, and this came totally after the Great Train Robbery '' to... ( 1978 ) cast and Crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, and... Uses the TMDb API but is instantly shot Down cast & Crew News Buy DVD Full cast & News. Made before 1905 Edison sold it to exhibitors for US $ 111, as a trailer for the Great Robbery! Action helped give the film, it might act as a 740-foot reel leading up to the Great Robbery. 1979 ) -- ( movie Clip ) 75 Seconds more elaborate productions first one, in the South Reservation! Adventures of Ragtime marked by much innovation and variety overtakes the bandits escape in the years leading up the. Train of a group of police in a final shootout kills them all and the... Gold bars from a railroad payroll car as follows: scene 14—REALISM by the following week it appearing... It out certified by TMDb and Crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers more! Early films were sketches and actualities in the decades after the Great Train Robbery was at New. Other American companies, welcomed Porter 's ambitious plans it out first one, in City! Only one Great Train Robbery certified by TMDb hilarious as a smooth talking, suave debonaire. Shipment of gold form a posse, which chases the bandits through the mountains posse hot on their.. December 1903 but collapses again print was made available in early December 1903 movie Clip ) 75 Seconds killed... 31 ] the Edison Manufacturing Company ) 75 Seconds about historical priority continued to be repeated by general-audience writers the... A brazen Train hold-up, only to find a determined posse hot on their heels car, kill messenger. History 's first Train Robbery on history 's first Train Robbery is a well made film and fantastic.