The Great Train Robbery (1903)

A group of bandits stage a brazen train hold-up, only to find a determined posse hot on their heels.

Stars:

A.C. Abadie, Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson, George Barnes

1 win.

Cast

Uncredited cast:
A.C. Abadie	...	Sheriff (uncredited)
Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson	...	Bandit / Shot Passenger / Tenderfoot Dancer (uncredited)
George Barnes	...	(uncredited)
Justus D. Barnes	...	Bandit Who Fires at Camera (uncredited)
Walter Cameron	...	Sheriff (uncredited)
John Manus Dougherty Sr.	...	Fourth Bandit (uncredited)
Donald Gallaher	...	Little Boy (uncredited)
Frank Hanaway	...	Bandit (uncredited)
Adam Charles Hayman	...	Bandit (uncredited)
Morgan Jones	...	(uncredited)
Marie Murray	...	Dance-Hall Dancer (uncredited)
Mary Snow	...	Little Girl (uncredited)

Storyline

Among the earliest existing films in American cinema - notable as the first film that presented a narrative story to tell - it depicts a group of cowboy outlaws who hold up a train and rob the passengers. They are then pursued by a Sheriff's posse. Several scenes have color included - all hand tinted.

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Plot Keywords:

train | sheriff | hold up | bandit | posse | 

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Genres:

Short | Western

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 December 1903 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le vol du grand rapide

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Budget:

$150 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Edison Manufacturing Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

11 min 11 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White (hand-colored)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The earliest American film listed in '1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die', edited by Steven Jay Schneider.

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Goofs

After the bandits have robbed the passengers they run towards the rear of the train instead of towards the front, where their getaway locomotive is waiting. In the next shot, they are seen running towards the locomotive.

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Connections

Referenced in Buster Keaton Rides Again (1965)

User Reviews

It's Easy To See How It Got Its Reputation

It's easy to see why this was such a sensation in 1903, and why today it is still considered to be an icon in movie history. You can enjoy this either as a historical landmark for its use of such a variety of then-new skills, or you can simply watch it for the story. To be sure, the plot is of a now-familiar type, but this is what so many other movies have imitated over the years.

The story-telling is very good, and it is almost not even necessary to add 'for its time', because much of it still holds up quite well. It tells an action-packed story with plenty of detail, and it uses a good variety of effective techniques to increase the excitement, suspense, and realism. From the motion effects in the scenes inside the train, to the occasional use of color tinting, to the use of outdoor scenes, almost everything works nicely. There are only a few occasions when can you tell that it is almost a century old. There are even things like some basic cross-cutting and a pretty good panning shot. There is plenty to see, and it's worth watching more than once to see what else you can notice.