The Train

John Frankenheimer's 1964 action film is set in France, circa August 1944, when German troops are in retreat. But rather than beat a hasty exit, Colonel Von Waldheim (Paul Scofield) fills a train with rare French paintings, hoping to abscond with the loot back to the safety of Berlin. However, the colonel's efforts are thwarted by French Resistance fighters led by the indefatigable Labiche (Burt Lancaster), who goes through extraordinary lengths to recover the treasures. The crisp black-and-white cinematography and sharp editing lends the production a documentary-style vibe that is missing from many WWII epics of that era. And Frankenheimer keeps the pace moving quickly, with more than a few enthralling edge-of-the-seat moments. Indeed, The Train is so wonderfully entertaining that one can live with the flaws: the miscasting of all-American Lancaster as the French underground guerrilla, the squandered resources of Scofield as a less-than-compelling chief villain, and the indifferent presence of the iconic Jeanne Moreau in a throwaway role as Lancaster's love interest. Extras include audio commentary by Frankenheimer. Recommended. (P. Hall)