The Gold Express (1955) User Reviews

How many characters can you get in a train

[malcolmgsw · 6/10 · 2 February 2018]

This is now available for showing on the BFI player.It is a very competently made B film.There is a gold shipment on a train which thieves want to get their hands on.Lots of suspicious characters to be seen.By the way there is prefatory note that such a robbery could never happen on a British train.A few years later there was the Great Train Robbery,which rather proved them wrong.

Watchable cheapie

[gordonl56 · 6/10 · 14 July 2008]

A not bad low, low budget caper film set on a train. A shipment of gold being shipped to London is targeted by a group of thieves. A reporter and his new wife on their honeymoon, a pair of old maid mystery book writers and a wronged woman all throw a wrench in the thieves plans. The crooks intend to drug the guards and toss the gold off the train at an arranged spot to be picked up by other gang members. As with all "perfect plans this one goes for a loop. With a bigger budget this could of been a first rate thrill ride of a caper film. Having said that, this 58 minute film keeps the action moving and the cast and crew make the most of that 58 mins. OK timewaster.

Strangeness on a Train

[richardchatten · 6/10 · 7 September 2021]

Even an inconsequential little potboiler like this, clocking in at under an hour and with obviously post-synced dialogue, is enhanced by the record it provides of the noble age of steam with occasional familiar faces in the cast (inevitably including Sam Kydd), handsome photography and an even more handsome femme fatale in the seductive form of Delphi Lawrence (looking like a character from something far weightier in an expensive-looking black outfit with a gun in her handbag). Veteran stage actress Ivy St. Helier is top-billed, but actually only plays the comic relief.

Middling

[Leofwine_draca · 4/10 · 18 February 2021]

A B-movie mix of comedy and thrills set on board an express train. There are numerous characters here but many of them are stodgy and not very interesting, aside from the two old biddies with a ghoulish interest in horror stories; they steal every scene. Percy Herbert and Sam Kydd have very small roles. The comedy feels dated and the robbery plotline never generates the suspense it requires to work. Middling.

Not such a bad thing...

[spottedowl · 7/10 · 21 December 2006]

The Gold Express is another 'Orient Express' style movie where the action takes place in the claustrophobic confines of moving railway carriages.

A newspaper reporter (Vernon Gray) is sent to cover the movement of gold bullion on board an express train – on his wedding night! Of course his new bride (Ann Walford) accompanies him to make the female interest of the film.

There are the usual numerous sub-plots within the story, comedic and otherwise. The acting is quite good for non-mainstream actors in this short (~ 1 hour) romp.

Overall; only the British film industry could produce such a pleasant way to spend an hour of your life without having to think. --- 3.5/ 5

orient express with no murder

[peterwburrows-70774 · 7/10 · 22 March 2021]

A nice little B flic that moves along with pace. A collection of characters make for an interesting film, worth the time.

A Train Ride Is Always Exciting

[boblipton · 6/10 · 27 January 2023]

Ann Walford and Vernon Gray are on their honeymoon when Gray's editor calls and tells him that the authorities loading a lot of gold onto a train to head north, so get there for the scoop. So off they go on an eventful train ride that includes a poker game, Ivy St. Helier & May Hallat as two sisters who write blood-tingling thrillers under a pseudonym, and an attempt to steal the gold.

Sometimes it seems as if no one rode a train without six stories involved, but director Guy Ferguson keeps things chugging along in this eventful B movie. With Jill Melford, Bill Shine, Ben Williams, and Sam Kydd.