I'm just old enough to remember the great winter of 1963 (which I took in my stride at the time, not knowing anything else). It lasted long enough to add atmosphere to a number of notable British films of the period, such as 'The Caretaker' and 'The Servant'; but this is the first time I've seen it actually the subject of a film, and filmed in colour (by veteran documentary photographer Wolf Suschitzky)!
Unfortunately the snow is still relegated to a supporting role, since the film was produced by British Transport Films, who were more interested in showing the short work made of the inclement weather than in lingering on the snow itself (to judge from this film, come the summer the Great Train Robbers had far more success in their attempt to obstruct the smooth running of British Rail). The flashy cutting and skiffle music on the soundtrack now date the film in the wrong way.
Unfortunately the snow is still relegated to a supporting role, since the film was produced by British Transport Films, who were more interested in showing the short work made of the inclement weather than in lingering on the snow itself (to judge from this film, come the summer the Great Train Robbers had far more success in their attempt to obstruct the smooth running of British Rail). The flashy cutting and skiffle music on the soundtrack now date the film in the wrong way.
