The Titfield Thunderbolt (1953)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Charles Crichton

Writer:

T.E.B. Clarke (original screenplay)

Release Date:

20 October 1953 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

The Comedy Hit of the Year!

Plot:

Comedy of railfans who take over their village's passenger train service (against bus company resistance) when British Rail abandons it.

Plot Keywords:

Train | Railroad | Railway | Pub | Water Tower

Cast

Stanley Holloway	...	Walter Valentine
George Relph	...	Vicar Sam Weech
Naunton Wayne	...	George Blakeworth
John Gregson	...	Squire Gordon Chesterford
Godfrey Tearle	...	Ollie Matthews, Bishop of Welchester
Hugh Griffith	...	Dan Taylor
Gabrielle Brune	...	Joan Hampton
Sid James	...	Harry Hawkins (as Sidney James)
Reginald Beckwith	...	Coggett
Edie Martin	...	Emily
Michael Trubshawe	...	Ruddock
Jack MacGowran	...	Vernon Crump (as Jack McGowran)
Ewan Roberts	...	Alec Pearce
Herbert C. Walton	...	Seth
John Rudling	...	Clegg - Inspector from Ministry

Runtime:

84 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System) | Mono (Gaumont Kalee Recording)

Certification:

Australia:G (TV rating) | UK:U | Iceland:L | UK:U (video rating) | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Bristol Temple Meads station, Bristol, England, UK

Company:

Michael Balcon Productions

Trivia:

Writer T.E.B. Clarke was a neighbor of Richard Beeching, then Director of ICI, at the time of filming. Beeching's 1963 report "The Re-shaping of British Railways" resulted in the wholesale closure of many branch lines like the one portrayed in the movie.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the trial the chimney on the saloon coach changes sides from right to left and back again in comparison to the Titfield Thunderbolt. The coach obviously was turned around during filming and pulled the other way.

Quotes:

Valentine: [proposing a toast] Our magnificent generals, General Gordon and General Booth.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Forever Ealing (2002) (TV)

Soundtrack:

The Eton Boating Song

A Great Flick!

This was Ealing's first Colour film, and was a great achievement for the small independent film company which was struggling to keep up with the big guys. I agree that Alec Guiness should have probably played the reverend, but the film is a magical and wonderful addition to the Ealing Collection. I think that it is one of their best features in its field. There is no other comedy that captures the nostalgia and charm of a small English village. It is filled with an excellent script, a solid cast and physical commedy. Plus, "The Lion" the original 1800 locomotive which the film revolves around shows the ingenuity and the long lasting construction of British Locomotives. A must see on anyone's list!