Jun 252023
 

The Great Train Robbery is another fun heist movie from the 1970s and while it’s not as good as a film like The Sting, it’s still well worth checking out.

 

 

The Great Train Robbery
(1978)


Genre(s): Suspense/Thriller, Crime
Kino Lorber| PG – 111 min. – $29.95 | June 13, 2023

Date Published: 06/25/2023 | Author: The Movieman


MOVIE INFO:
Director: Michael Crichton
Writer(s): Michael Crichton (novel) (screenplay)
Cast: Sean Connery, Donald Sutherland, Lesley-Anne Down


DISC INFO:
Features: Commentary, Theatrical Trailer, TV Spot
Slip Cover: Yes
Digital Copy: No
Formats Included: Blu-ray
Number of Discs: 1


Audio: English (DTS-HD MA 5.1), English (DTS-HD MA 2.0)
Video: 1080p/Widescreen 1.85
Subtitles: English SDH
Codecs: MPEG-4 AVC
Region(s): A


Kino Lorber provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this Blog Post.
The opinions I share are my own.


THE MOVIE — 3¾/5


Plot Synopsis: Edward Pierce (SEAN CONNERY) is a master thief of the Victorian Era who’s never found a heist he couldn’t pull off. For his next criminal operation, he plans something that has never been done before: to rob a moving train. Working with a master safecracker (DONALD SUTHERLAND) and a seductive woman (LESLEY-ANNE DOWN), Pierce devises an incredibly complex plan to break into the train’s safe and steal the thousands of dollars’ worth of gold that are contained within.

Quick Hit Review: The Great Train Robbery is a fun 1970s-era heist-thriller featuring fun performances from Sean Connery, Donald Sutherland and the lovely Lesley-Anne Down. The only issue is we do have a main character in Connery’s Edward Pierce who is morally corrupt with not only stealing gold meant for innocent soldiers (at least that’s how I saw it) but even chases down and murders a con who sold him out. But taking that aside, it’s still has plenty of suspense and enjoyable twists that makes it an all around entertaining flick.

 

SPECIAL FEATURES – 2/5


This release comes with a matted slip cover. Features were ported over from MGM’s DVD and include an Audio Commentary with Screenwriter/Director Michael Crichton, Theatrical Trailer and a TV Spot.

 


VIDEO – 4/5


Kino Lorber releases The Great Train Robbery for a second time, the previous in 2014 and in all likelihood the same transfer. This 1080p high-definition picture is presented in the original 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio. It’s not a perfect transfer for sure with some of the more distant shots appearing a tad soft while close-ups do show some more detail. Colors at least are well balanced as are the black levels.

AUDIO – 4½/5


Where the 2014 Blu-ray had only a Dolby Digital 5.1, this one at least upgrades to a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track as well as a 2.0 option, the firmer is default. This outputs crisp and clean dialogue via the front channel and good depth for some ambient noises like at the train station where we hear a variety of general chatter. There was no signs of pops, hisses or other audio flaws.

 


OVERALL – 3/5


Overall, The Great Train Robbery is another fun heist movie from the 1970s and while it’s not as good as a film like The Sting, it’s still well worth checking out.

 

 

 

 

Check out some more 1080p screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.

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