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 (as George Pan Cosmatos)

Writers:

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

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 / Nicole Dressler
Burt Lancaster	...	Mackenzie / Colonel Stephen Mackenzie
Lou Castel	...	Swedish Terrorist
John Phillip Law	...	Major Stack
Ray Lovelock	...	Tom
Alida Valli	...	Nanny
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 | ex husband ex wife relationship | european adventure | train wreck | 

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Taglines:

A Plague Infested Train Speeds Across Europe To Certain Death At Cassandra Crossing

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK Italy West Germany USA

Language:

English French Swedish German

Release Date:

9 February 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cassandra Crossing

Filming Locations:

International Labour Office Building. 4, route des Morillons, 1211 Genève 22, Switzerland

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated General Films, International Cine Productions, Compagnia Cinematografica Champion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor) (as Technicolor®)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title refers to a bridge in the movie called the Kaslindrliv Bridge. The architectural structure used to play this, was the Viaduct of Garabit, which is located in the South of France. It was built between 1881 and 1884, and was manufactured by Gustave Alexandre Eiffel of The Eiffel Tower fame. It stands one hundred twenty-two meters tall, by five hundred sixty-five meters long. The Garabit Viaduct is still used today as a railway bridge.

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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

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

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: INTERNATIONAL HEALTH ORGANIZATION Geneva

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Alternate Versions

SPOILER: The 1980s American video version deletes all the carnage during the final sequence, when half of the train goes onto the bridge, which collapses under it. This version shows the train itself, crashing to the ground, but removes the interior shots of passengers being killed, as well as shots of bodies floating in the river in the aftermath, giving the impression that the front half of the train was empty when it fell. This version also deletes the scene with the song "I'm Still On My Way", sung by the hippies, various instances of cursing and other assorted shots which got the film its R rating in 1976.

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Connections

Spoofed in Balandra Crossing (1987)

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Soundtracks

It's All a Game
(uncredited)
Music by Jerry Goldsmith
Lyrics by Hal Shaper

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.