The Cassandra Crossing (1976)

Director:

George P. Cosmatos

Writers:

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

Release Date:

9 February 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller | Action

Tagline:

The Fear Is Spreading

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Train | Runaway Train | Crossword Puzzle | Gigolo | Colonel

Cast

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

Also Known As:

Cassandra Crossing (Italy) (West Germany)
Treffpunkt Todesbrücke (West Germany)

Runtime:

129 min

Country:

West Germany | Italy | UK

Language:

French | English | Swedish | German

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | West Germany:16 (f) | Finland:K-16 (1997) (video rating) | Finland:K-18 (1977) | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG | USA:R | Argentina:13 | Canada:18A (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Basel, Kanton Basel Stadt, Switzerland

Company:

Associated General Films

Trivia:

The bridge used in the film is actually Viaduct of Garabit in France. It was built in 1881-1884, manufactured by Gustave Alexandre Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame. It is 122 meters tall by 564.69 meters long. It is still used today as a railway bridge.

Goofs:

Continuity: When they are attempting to lower things onto the moving train with a helicopter, it conveniently changes from overhead-powered electric to diesel. Immediately afterwards, it changes back.

Quotes:

Susan: [Very ill] I don't look too good, hunh?
Herman Kaplan: Ah, liebschoen, even now you make me wish I was fifty again!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Neues aus der Anstalt: Die Weihnachtsfeier (#2.10)" (2008)

Soundtrack:

I'm Still On My Way

The Cassandra Crossing

An infected terrorist escapes from a Geneva chemical institute and carries a deadly plague to a European express train.

Coolly devised, fashionable, rather silly, but undeniably entertaining and spectacular disaster thriller with an abundance of topical pulp elements, handsome production, superficial writing, a curious lack of cinematic invention, and nothing much for its star cast to do. Watching it now, one can observe many components clearly influencing today's filmmakers.