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

Several characters say that people used to live under the Cassandra Crossing, but then moved away. The only thing under the crossing is a river.

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Quotes

Col. Stephen Mackenzie: [On speaker phone] I don't have to tell you what we're up against!
Dr. Jonathan Chamberlain: What you're up against? I may be the only doctor for a thousand potential plague victims if I haven't caught it myself.
Col. Stephen Mackenzie: That's exactly why it's important to contain the disease now and why you'll all be heading for an isolation facility in Poland, where you'll get the very best...
Dr. Jonathan Chamberlain: In the meantime, what do you intend I fight it with? Aspirin?

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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

Great Cast! Great Ride!

I happened to catch this film today on a cable channel. It was worth watching again. Unlike other disaster films, this film was an original set on a train with a plague ridden passenger. Aboard this Paris bound train, it's changed to a place in Poland which was a concentration camp to quarantine the passengers. What the passengers don't know is that they have to cross "The Cassandra Crossing" which is poorly constructed bridge in Poland that can't handle the train's weight. Even the former residents have left living there because of the bridge's danger. I thought this film has a lot of thrilling sequences even with the seventies music and score by Jerry Goldsmith. The cast is first rate with the late Richard Harris (who should have been knighted), Sophia Loren, Martin Sheen, Ava Gardner, Lee Strasberg, even O.J. Simpson is cast in an unusual role. I haven't watched anything with Simpson since 1994. I thought Lee Strasberg was brilliant as was Burt Lancaster and Ingrid Thulin as well.