The Cassandra Crossing (1976)

Passengers on a European train have been exposed to a deadly disease. Nobody will let them off the train so what happens next?

Director:

George P. Cosmatos

Writers:

Robert Katz (story), George P. Cosmatos (story),

Stars:

Sophia Loren, Richard Harris, Martin Sheen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sophia Loren	...	Jennifer Rispoli Chamberlain
Richard Harris	...	Dr. Jonathan Chamberlain
Martin Sheen	...	Robby Navarro
O.J. Simpson	...	Haley (as O. J. Simpson)
Lionel Stander	...	Max, the Train Conductor
Ann Turkel	...	Susan
Ingrid Thulin	...	Dr. Elena Stradner
Lee Strasberg	...	Herman Kaplan
Ava Gardner	...	Nicole
Burt Lancaster	...	Mackenzie
Lou Castel	...	Swedish Terrorist
John Phillip Law	...	Major Stark
Ray Lovelock	...	Tom
Alida Valli	...	Mrs. Chadwick
Stefano Patrizi	...	Terrorist

Storyline

"Outbreak" meets "The Runaway Train" as a motley group of passengers are quarantined on a train destined to prevent the spread of the disease at the cost of their lives. Government intrigue, international smuggling, and the legend of the Cassandra Crossing add to the suspense.

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Plot Keywords:

train | runaway train | fake priest | hippie | crossword puzzle | 

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Taglines:

The Fear Is Spreading

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller | Action

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

West Germany Italy UK

Language:

English French Swedish German

Release Date:

9 February 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cassandra Crossing

Filming Locations:

Basel, Kanton Basel Stadt, Switzerland

Box Office

Gross:

SEK 152,111 (Sweden)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated General Films, International Cine Productions, Compagnia Cinematografica Champion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie's British and American distribution and network television rights were pre-sold prior to principal photography even having started.

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Goofs

If the bridge hadn't been used for such a long time, the tracks would have been rusty. However, in at least one shot we see that their upper surfaces is shiny, indicating that trains quite often run on them.

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Quotes

Nicole Dressler: Oh, what is it all about?
Dr. Jonathan Chamberlain: I'd say a slight case of, uh...food poisoning.
Nicole Dressler: I think either you're a lousy doctor or a lousy liar.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Rebel Set (1992)

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Soundtracks

"I'm Still On My Way"
Composed and written by Dave Jordan
Published by ATV Music Ltd - London

User Reviews

first class compartment

A trainload of European and American travelers becomes doomed when a medical terrorist infected with bubonic plague stows away and brings the deadly disease on board. As a way of taking care of the mess, the military solution, which wins out over the medical one, in your typical heated and ongoing debate between a colonel and a doctor, is to seal the train shut, occupy it with well-armed soldiers dressed in white jumpsuits and gas masks, and then send them all to the "Cassandra Crossing", a high metal bridge spanning a river far below, that's just waiting for a reason to collapse. However, a passenger rebellion is organized that's quite exciting, as OJ Simpson (a cop) teams with Richard Harris (a doctor) and Martin Sheen (a heroin addict and the companion of Ava Gardner), to free the train, and somehow disconnect the cars. Given a little more drama and attention, the rebellion could have really made this film great, but the film fits into a suitable conclusion that doesn't do much justice to the issues it deals with.