Seven stars. Because I love me a good caper film. And because Sean
Connery can shine in pretty much anything. I'm also a big fan of Donald
Sutherland, although I have to say his "English" accent was a mess. I'm
surprized I somehow missed seeing this when it was first released, but I keep
turning up nuggets like that. The late 60s through the late 70s was the
pinnacle era for caper films. Nothing before or since really hit that peak. And it's because they play with such a great combination of action, comedy and
the twisty plan to hit the big score. All the later-day versions tend toward
too much self-aware winking at the camera. But here the comedy is earned and
internal. And it serves as a part of the whole. After all, it's hard to see
the comic aspect of a snitch being garrotted. The story revolves around an
attempt at the "first robbery from a moving train" in England in the 1850s. Connery plays the mastermind who doesn't object to getting his hands dirty. As
always, he soars. He was the last of the old-school movie stars, and at the
top of his game in the late 70s. Sutherland plays the locks guy, and (other
than the accent) delivers one of his signature odd-ball performances. The film
is shot with a glorious color pallet, and great attention to period. It's a
fun romp that never takes itself too seriously. If you're a fan of Connery
or Sutherland, or of great caper films, you should take a look. 21 November
2022.
Review of The Great Train Robbery
