The Great Train Robbery was the robbery of £2.6 million from a Royal Mail train heading from Glasgow to London on the West Coast Main Line in the early hours of 8 August 1963, at Bridego Railway Bridge, Ledburn, near Mentmore in Buckinghamshire.
After having tampered with the lineside signals in order to bring the train to a halt, a 15-strong gang of robbers led by Bruce Reynolds attacked the train. Other gang members included Gordon Goody, Buster Edwards, Charlie Wilson, Roy James, John Daly, Jimmy White, Ronnie Biggs, Tommy Wisbey, Jim Hussey, Bob Welch and Roger Cordrey.. With careful planning based on inside information from an individual known as "The Ulsterman" (named as Patrick McKenna in 2014), the robbers escaped with over £2.6 million (equivalent to £50 million today). The bulk of the stolen money was never recovered.
The film was designed to be releaed at the 50th anniversary of the robbery. It sticks closely to the historical chain of events but this leads to a plodding progression without much drama. At 3 hours, this is far too long and a number of competent performances by the (male) actors cannot redeem this.
The period details - the cars and clothing - were interesting, and it is always tempting to list the anachronisms as other reviews have done. But ultimately I didn't enjoy this and wouldn't recommend it.
After having tampered with the lineside signals in order to bring the train to a halt, a 15-strong gang of robbers led by Bruce Reynolds attacked the train. Other gang members included Gordon Goody, Buster Edwards, Charlie Wilson, Roy James, John Daly, Jimmy White, Ronnie Biggs, Tommy Wisbey, Jim Hussey, Bob Welch and Roger Cordrey.. With careful planning based on inside information from an individual known as "The Ulsterman" (named as Patrick McKenna in 2014), the robbers escaped with over £2.6 million (equivalent to £50 million today). The bulk of the stolen money was never recovered.
The film was designed to be releaed at the 50th anniversary of the robbery. It sticks closely to the historical chain of events but this leads to a plodding progression without much drama. At 3 hours, this is far too long and a number of competent performances by the (male) actors cannot redeem this.
The period details - the cars and clothing - were interesting, and it is always tempting to list the anachronisms as other reviews have done. But ultimately I didn't enjoy this and wouldn't recommend it.