LieutenantJohn

Night Train to Munich (1940)


A fabulous spy film boasting top drawer scripting, and supreme direction.


Carol Reed is a truly wonderful director, his CV boasts the likes of The Third Man, Oliver and Odd Man Out, all great films for sure, which only makes it more infuriating that a gem like Night Train To Munich is incredibly hard to get hold of. I have only managed to catch it myself because of the unearthing of VHS tapes long thought to have been lost years ago, and it's just like finding hidden treasure i tell you!. Based on a story by Gordon Wellesley, and scripted by the adroitly talented teaming of Sydney Gilliat/Frank Launder, Night Train To Munich is a lesson in how to not over blow your subject, all the sequences flow without boring the viewer, Reed astutely approaching the material with subtlety instead of blunderbuss bluster.

Another highlight of the movie to me is that it could have so easily been a propaganda bore, the Germans being the devil incarnate, but here it feels that an equality of characterisations was the order of the day, something that many other genre pieces lost sight of further down the line. Rex Harrison, Margaret Lockwood and Paul Henreid are all excellent here, whilst wonderful comedic relief comes courtesy of Naunton Wayne and Basil Radford's English cricketers {fans of The Lady Vanishes will identify right away}. Although this picture is script driven above all else, the action sequences are a joy to behold, with the final third of the picture an unadulterated pleasure, spies and stooges, plants and treachery, oh it's all here folks, enjoy............if you can see it that is! 9/10

CaptainWaggett

It's a great film with a fine cast - watch out for Irene Handl as the station-mistress who tells C and C that the war has started. But, while it's annoying that there's no R2 dvd, it's not really that obscure, is it - it's one of Film4's small collection of 1940s films and gets shown several times a year.

Chevyman

Another one that's on my list if ever a R2 release happens. Till then i'll keep scanning the Freeview channels

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all

"Don't tread on Greta Garbo, as you walk down the boulevard?"

LieutenantJohn

I don`t get Film 4

batman

You can get a dvd here .....

Link: Night Train to Munich

Jingle bells Batman smells ... I heard that at school Daddy.

BAT QUIZ 16 HAS JUST BEEN POSTED IN THE COMPETITION THREAD - 06/01/09

Chevyman

Ta bats

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all

"Don't tread on Greta Garbo, as you walk down the boulevard?"

LieutenantJohn

Brilliant, thanks Bruce

Steve Crook

Yes, script driven. But when that script contains such gems as:
Charters: I bought a copy of Mein Kampf. Occurred to me it might shed a spot of light on all this... how d'ye do. Ever read it?
Caldicott: Never had the time.
Charters: I understand they give a copy to all the bridal couples over here.
Caldicott: Oh, I don't think it's that sort of book, old man.

You won't hear many complaints about it

Chevyman

Just placed my order

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all

"Don't tread on Greta Garbo, as you walk down the boulevard?"

Chevyman

I am impressed.

Despatched today

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all

"Don't tread on Greta Garbo, as you walk down the boulevard?"

LieutenantJohn

Looks like Film 4 has some great films in their locker, thanks for the prompt Captain.

Brief Encounter

I was very impressed after seeing this film at the BFI's Lockwood season in January. Really underrated gem as the first poster said.

CaptainWaggett

They're showing it again in November as part of a Sydney Gilliat season - the cable car finale looks great on the big screen.

LieutenantJohn

Can i ask how you know about the ahead schedules?, i have only just gotten Film4 and would love to know what films are coming in advance.

Thanks.

CaptainWaggett

Sorry - I meant it's at the NFT in November. But for advance Film4 schedules (a fortnight ahead), go to Film on Freeview. Night Train to Munich was last on at the end of July so it's bound to turn up fairly soon.