
The Great Train Robbery (1978)
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- PG
- 1h 50min
- Adventure, Crime
- 02 Feb 1979 (USA)
- Movie
England, 1850s. A master criminal aims to rob a train of a large sum of gold. Security is incredibly tight and the task seems an impossible one. However, he has a plan and just the right people to carry it out.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- 1 win & 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
Sean Connery | ... |
Pierce
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Donald Sutherland | ... |
Agar
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Lesley-Anne Down | ... |
Miriam
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Alan Webb | ... |
Trent
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Malcolm Terris | ... |
Fowler
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Robert Lang | ... |
Sharp
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Michael Elphick | ... |
Burgess
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Wayne Sleep | ... |
Clean Willy
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Pamela Salem | ... |
Emily Trent
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Gabrielle Lloyd | ... |
Elizabeth Trent
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George Downing | ... |
Barlow
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James Cossins | ... |
Harranby
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John Bett | ... |
McPherson
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Peter Benson | ... |
Station Despatcher
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Janine Duvitski | ... |
Maggie
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Brian de Salvo | ... |
John - Trent's Butler
(as Brian De Salvo)
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André Morell | ... |
Judge
(as Andre Morell)
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Donald Churchill | ... |
Prosecutor
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Brian Glover | ... |
Captain Jimmy
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Noel Johnson | ... |
Connaught
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Peter Butterworth | ... |
Putnam
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Patrick Barr | ... |
Burke
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Hubert Rees | ... |
Lewis
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Agnes Bernelle | ... |
Woman on Platform
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Frank McDonald | ... |
P.C. London Bridge Station
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Joe Cahill | ... |
Rail Guard
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Cecil Nash | ... |
Chaplain
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Susan Hallinan | ... |
Emma Barnes
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Oliver Smith | ... |
Ratting Assistant
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John Altman | ... |
First Pickpocket
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Paul Kember | ... |
Second Pickpocket
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Geoff Ferris | ... |
Third Pickpocket
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Jenny Till | ... |
Woman on Strand
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Craig Stokes | ... |
Urchin on Strand
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Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
Brooke Adams | ... |
(uncredited)
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Lewis Alexander | ... |
Man at Ratting (uncredited)
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Joe Cassidy | ... |
Gent on Train (uncredited)
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Tony Clarkin | ... |
Business Owner (uncredited)
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Alan Gibbs | ... |
Club Waiter (uncredited)
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Donald Hewlett | ... |
Club Member (uncredited)
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Nuala Holloway | ... |
Call Girl (uncredited)
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Jakki Moore | ... |
Prostitute (uncredited)
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Cathy Munroe | ... |
Lady in Shop (uncredited)
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Chris Parsons | ... |
Posh Gent (uncredited)
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Geoffrey Unsworth | ... |
(uncredited)
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Mickey Varey | ... |
Onlooker (uncredited)
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Directed by
Michael Crichton |
Written by
Michael Crichton | ... | (screenplay by) |
Michael Crichton | ... | (based on his novel) |
Produced by
Dino De Laurentiis | ... | executive producer |
John Foreman | ... | producer |
Music by
Jerry Goldsmith |
Cinematography by
Geoffrey Unsworth | ... | (photographed by) |
Editing by
David Bretherton | ... | (edited by) |
Peter Elliott |
Editorial Department
Norma Hazelden | ... | post-production secretary |
Casting By
Mary Selway |
Production Design by
Maurice Carter |
Art Direction by
Bert Davey |
Costume Design by
Anthony Mendleson |
Makeup Department
Elaine Bowerbank | ... | hairdresser |
Basil Newall | ... | makeup |
Sylvia Croft | ... | makeup (uncredited) |
Production Management
Al Burgess | ... | production manager |
Jack Phelan | ... | unit manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Chris Carreras | ... | second assistant director |
Gerry Gavigan | ... | second assistant director |
Anthony Waye | ... | assistant director |
Dick Ziker | ... | action director |
Art Department
Jim Morahan | ... | chief draughtsman |
Joe Nevin | ... | property buyer |
Ron Quelch | ... | property buyer |
George Richardson | ... | assistant art director |
Hugh Scaife | ... | set dresser |
Vic Simpson | ... | construction manager |
Patricia Johnson | ... | art department assistant (uncredited) |
Jimmy Kavanagh | ... | drapes (uncredited) |
Sound Department
Derek Ball | ... | sound mixer |
Chris Barnes | ... | dubbing editor |
Gerry Humphreys | ... | dubbing mixer (as Gerry Humphries) |
Vernon Messenger | ... | dubbing editor |
Terry Poulton | ... | dubbing editor |
Liam Saurin | ... | sound mixer: Ireland (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
David Harris | ... | special effects (uncredited) |
Gerry Johnston | ... | special effects supervisor (uncredited) / special effects (uncredited) |
Ian Wingrove | ... | special effects (uncredited) |
Stunts
Vince Cadiente | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Loren Janes | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Valentino Musetti | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
John Campbell | ... | focus puller |
Danny Eccleston | ... | electrician |
Gordon Hayman | ... | camera operator |
Brandon Apps | ... | clapper loader (uncredited) |
Laurie Ridley | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Rebecca Breed | ... | wardrobe mistress |
Richard Pointing | ... | wardrobe master |
Location Management
Don Geraghty | ... | location manager |
Music Department
Michael Clifford | ... | music editor |
Jerry Goldsmith | ... | composer: source music (uncredited) / conductor (uncredited) / music supervisor (uncredited) |
Skaila Kanga | ... | musician: harp (uncredited) |
Gordon Langford | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
Arthur Morton | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
National Philharmonic Orchestra | ... | music performed by (uncredited) |
Eric Tomlinson | ... | music mixer (uncredited) / music recording engineer (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
Jean Skinner | ... | continuity |
Transportation Department
Arthur Dunne | ... | transportation manager |
John King | ... | unit driver |
Additional Crew
Ron Allday | ... | production accountant |
Patti Calhoun | ... | secretary to director |
Dino De Laurentiis | ... | presents |
Reg Dent | ... | horse master |
Sue Edwards | ... | secretary to producer |
Derrick Norwood | ... | assistant accountant |
Loretta Ordewer | ... | production secretary |
Stanley Sopel | ... | production executive (uncredited) |
Thanks
Geoffrey Unsworth | ... | this film is dedicated to the memory of: his friends miss him |
Production Companies
- Dino De Laurentiis Company (A Michael Crichton Film)
- Starling Films (made by)
Distributors
- United Artists (1979) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1979) (United States) (theatrical) (released thru)
- United Artists (1979) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1979) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- United Artists de Mexico (1979) (Mexico) (theatrical)
- Kommunenes Filmcentral (KF) (1979) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Magnetic Video (1981) (United States) (VHS) (Betamax)
- Warner Home Video (1982) (Australia) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1982) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- CBS/Fox (1983) (United States) (video) (CED VideoDisc)
- MGM Home Entertainment (1988) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- MGM Home Entertainment (1998) (United States) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (Germany) (DVD)
- Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Nova Film (1979) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Rank Filmes de Portugal (1979) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- United Artists (A-Asia) (1979) (Australia) (theatrical)
- United Artists Corporation (1980) (India) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1979) (Japan) (theatrical)
- 9Gem (2023) (Australia) (tv)
- ARTE (2015) (France) (tv)
- ARTE (2020) (France) (tv)
- Direct 8 (2011) (France) (tv)
- Divisa Home Video (2016) (Spain) (DVD)
- ESC Distribution (2018) (France) (Blu-ray)
- ESC Distribution (2018) (France) (DVD)
- France 2 (FR2) (2001) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- France 3 (2007) (France) (tv)
- Gaumont/Columbia TriStar Home Video (2006) (France) (DVD)
- Koch Media (2018) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Koch Media (2018) (Germany) (DVD)
- M6 (1993) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (France) (DVD)
- Paris Première (2007) (France) (tv)
- Paris Première (2020) (France) (tv)
- RTL9 (2002) (France) (tv)
- RTL9 (2010) (France) (tv)
- Rai Movie (2016) (Italy) (tv)
- Tubi TV (United States) (video) (streaming)
- Warner Home Video (1982) (West Germany) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1997) (United States) (VHS)
- Warner Home Vidéo (1982) (France) (VHS) (dubbed version)
- Warner Home Vidéo (1987) (France) (VHS) (dubbed version)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Anvil Studios (music recorded at)
- Coras Iompair Éireann (CIE) (the producers acknowledge with thanks the assistance given by)
- Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (the producers acknowledge with thanks the assistance given by)
- Chubb and Sons Lock and Safe Company (the producers acknowledge with thanks the assistance given by)
- National Film Studios of Ireland (the producers acknowledge with thanks the assistance given by)
- Ardmore Studios (facilities)
- Dolby System (recorded in)
- Panavision (cameras and lenses by)
- Technicolor (processed by)
Storyline
Plot Summary |
Sutherland and Connery wish to rob a moving train's safe in Victorian England. They need wax impressions of keys, coffins, dead cats, and a great deal of planning in order to pull it off.
Written by John Vogel |
Plot Keywords | |
Taglines | Never have so few taken so much from so many. See more » |
Genres | |
Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
Certification |
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Additional Details
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Filming Locations |
Box Office
Budget | $6,000,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
Trivia | Writer and director Michael Crichton based his book and movie, only loosely on the actual crime committed in 1855. In real-life, there were four criminals: Pierce, Agar, the railway guard Burgess, and a railway clerk named Tester. All four keys were kept on railway premises, two in London, and two in Folkestone. They were stolen temporarily by Tester and Pierce, respectively, so that Agar could duplicate them, but it turned out that the Folkestone keys were not being used anyway. The guard's van was not locked from the outside; Pierce and Agar were let in by Burgess, and a share of the loot was handed out to Tester, at stations. None of the criminals were spotted at once; it was several months before the railway conceded that the crime must have occurred on the train. The details came to light after Agar had been convicted in an unrelated crime, and his accomplices decided to steal his share instead of using it, as he had asked, to provide his mistress an income. She got word to him, and he turned Queen's Evidence against the others, and told all. At no point in the case, did anyone escape from custody. See more » |
Goofs | If the gold shipment was solely to pay British soldiers in Crimea, as asserted, it would have been in the form of barrels of gold coins, not gold bars as shown. See more » |
Movie Connections | Featured in The Brink's Job/Hardcore/The Warriors/Quintet/The Great Train Robbery (1979). See more » |
Soundtracks | I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls See more » |
Crazy Credits | Córas Iompair Éireann is misspelled in the end titles with an accent over the 'C' instead of the 'o'. See more » |
Quotes |
Judge:
[Judgementally]
Now, on the matter of motive, we ask you: Why did you conceive, plan and execute this dastardly and scandalous crime? Edward Pierce: I wanted the money. [the court spectators roar with laughter] See more » |