Von Ryan's Express (1965)

An American POW leads a group of mainly British prisoners to escape from the Germans in WWII.

Director:

Mark Robson

Writers:

David Westheimer (novel), Wendell Mayes (screenplay)

Stars:

Frank Sinatra, Trevor Howard, Raffaella Carrà

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Frank Sinatra	...	Col. Joseph L. Ryan
Trevor Howard	...	Major Eric Fincham
Raffaella Carrà	...	Gabriella (as Raffaella Carra)
Brad Dexter	...	Sgt. Bostick
Sergio Fantoni	...	Capt. Oriani
John Leyton	...	Orde
Edward Mulhare	...	Costanzo
Wolfgang Preiss	...	Major Von Klemment
James Brolin	...	Private Ames
John Van Dreelen	...	Col. Gortz (as John van Dreelen)
Adolfo Celi	...	Battaglia
Vito Scotti	...	Italian Train Engineer
Richard Bakalyan	...	Corporal Giannini
Michael Goodliffe	...	Captain Stein
Michael St. Clair	...	Sgt. Dunbar

Storyline

Ryan, an American POW, leads his fellow prisoners on a dangerous escape from the Germans in Italy. Having seemingly made errors of judgment, Ryan has to win the support of the mainly British soldiers he is commanding.

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel | escape | italy | nazi occupied italy | gestapo | 

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Taglines:

The most daring escape ever conceived. It begins at Pescara. It spreads into high adventure as they highjack their own prison train. It shoots past Rome... Florence... Bologna... It hightails into the Majola Pass with Messerschitts in hot pursuit... and makes a final frenzied lunge for Switzerland- and freedom!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German Italian

Release Date:

23 June 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

El expreso de Von Ryan

Filming Locations:

Villa Adriana, Tivoli, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$5,760,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$17,111,111

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, P-R Productions Picture

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System) Stereo (DVD release)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie's opening prologue states: ITALY, AUGUST 1943.

With the Allies poised to strike, the Germans seized control of Italy. So the war-weary Italian nation fought on, a prisoner of the German armies.

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Goofs

The markings on the wings of the crashed P-38 in the opening scene of the movie are incorrect markings that weren't used in World War II, as they were not adopted until 1947 by the United States Air Force. US Airplanes in 1943 would have used the markings without the red stripes in the bars of the roundel insignia. The red stripes were not adopted until 1947.

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Quotes

Costanzo: [to Gabriella, obviously the mistress of the Nazi Von Klemment] Um... uh... What on Earth are you doing here, my child?
Maj. Eric Fincham: [amazed at his naiivety] Oh, Padre, you are priceless!

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Crazy Credits

The film credits and all promotion publicity still say "A Cinemascope Picture", and Alfred Newman's "extended" 20th Century-Fox fanfare is still heard on the soundtrack as the picture begins, but most of the film was actually shot in Panavision, at Frank Sinatra's insistence.

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Alternate Versions

When originally released theatrically in the UK, the BBFC made cuts to secure a 'U' rating. All cuts were waived in 1988 when the film was granted a 'PG' certificate for home video.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Invasion of the Neptune Men (1997)

User Reviews

Hey it works for me...

*** Warning ***: I make a few references to this film's plot in the comments below.

I think if I was living during 1943 and was involved in World War II then being with Frank, Trevor and the rest of the boys as portrayed in this film is where I'd want to be. Racing up Italy in a captured POW train, honorable American and British soldiers fighting pesky Nazis, and just trying to make it to beautiful Switzerland. Who could ask for more? You have adventure, killing in self-defense (well mostly), outsmarting the enemy, and a gorgeous young Italian woman on the train with you! Sure beats being a German soldier stuck in Stalingrad in 1942!

And let's face it, if you're looking for a WW II film with historical accuracy about specific WWII events or a "war is heck, here's why" kind of film then this is not the kind of film you're going to like.

But to me this film offers something many others don't by how it relates to everyday life and its struggles. So what am I saying, escaping from a German POW camp and fighting Nazis is a daily life struggle for anyone nowadays ?? No, of course not. But I like the way misfortune then opportunity seem to go hand in hand in this movie. A misfortune is turned into another opportunity simply by trying or moving forward. The following two lines best sum up this film: Captured German Major: "But still you have NO choice!" British Major: "And nothing to lose by trying to make one!"

Nothing is mapped out they way they want it and each misfortune has its cost in lives lost, but they push on. Each loss looks like it is rewarded with something positive... British physician (who up 'till now has been supportive of Colonel Ryan): "Roll, roll where?...Maybe this is the end of the line". Italian Captain (just running in): "Colonel Ryan, the conductor has a plan, he thinks he can get us all to Switzerland!" British Major: "Switzerland?...You're mad!" (The Italian major explains the conductor's plan) British Major: "You know it may just work" Colonel Ryan: "Let's move!"

Sometimes we are all fighting those "Nazis/demons" in our life and we are all just trying to escape to "Switzerland" and like the end of the film says: "I once told you Ryan, if only one gets out it's a victory".

I read in another review of this film where it was said Frank Sinatra looked like he was sleep walking through it -- well then way to go Frank! No award grabbing performance from "ol' blue eyes" here, just a man who acts and feels like he's just been in a POW camp (the Rat Pack must've just broken up or a gig in Vegas got canceled or something). I think this is one of Frank S.'s best movies, yes much better than that depressing "Manchurian Candidate" (1962).

And give this film credit for one thing: Here at least the Germans speak German and the Italians speak Italian. There's none of that English with a heavy German or Italian accent stuff here. And filming outside when possible with picturesque Italian and Switzerland scenery are an added bonus.

I know there are several other WWII films made during the 1960s that get mentioned a lot, but off-hand I think there are only two or three made during the '60s that offer or have any value: "The Train" (1965) and "Closely Observed Trains" (1966) are the only two I can think of (hmmm...that's odd, but all three involve trains).

If you liked "Von Ryan's Express" then please recommend other war films from any decade. I'm always on the look out for a good war film. And if you didn't care for this film, well then when you're through picking this one apart tell me of one you did like. Thanks.