Rating summary
| Movie |  | 3.0 |
| Video |  | 4.5 |
| Audio | | 4.5 |
| Extras |  | 3.5 |
| Overall | | 3.5 |
The Titfield Thunderbolt Blu-ray Movie Review
A classic from Ealing Studios that has enormous British charm
Reviewed by Neil Lumbard January 22, 2020
The Titfield Thunderbolt is a classic from famed Ealing Studios that explores the world of the great British Railways. As the beloved Titfield Thunderbolt locomotive is announced to no longer run, a group of enthusiastic individuals in the local community become determined to help make sure that the locomotive again moves and makes a spectacle. The film has some charming set-pieces and a fun style that will charm fans of classic British cinema.
The Titfield Thunderbolt: A beloved locomotive that rides again.
For more information and a complete analysis on the film, please refer to the review by my colleague Dr. Svet Atanasov.
The Titfield Thunderbolt Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
Arriving on Blu-ray from Film Movement, The Titfield Thunderbolt has received a highly impressive 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition presentation in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.37:1 (full frame). The release has received a brand new digital restoration.
This was the first Technicolor film to be made for an Ealing Studios production. Colorful photography can be seen throughout the entire presentation. The picture-quality looks rather remarkable on the release. The scan bears a striking similarity to the UK release reviewed by my colleague Dr. Svet Atanasov.
The Titfield Thunderbolt Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The release includes a lossless, uncompressed PCM mono audio presentation. The 24 bit track sounds excellent throughout the presentation of the film. Dialogue is crisp and clear. The lossless audio track gets the job done. It sounds similar to the audio track on the UK Studio Canal release reviewed by my colleague Dr. Svet Atanasov.
The Titfield Thunderbolt Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
The release comes packaged in an attractive clear-case with an inside-print on the cover-art. Inside of the package is a wonderful 14 page booklet featuring cast/crew production credits, notes on the film, reproductions of press materials, and stills from the feature-film. The extras seem to be similar to the UK Studio Canal release (reviewed by my colleague Dr. Svet Atanasov).
Making "The Titfield Thunderbolt" (SD, 9:15)
Douglas Slocombe Home Movie Footage (SD, 10:48) features the 16mm footage from during the production and commentary provided by Douglas Slocombe about the production history. This is certainly an interesting piece.
The Lion Locomotive Featurette (SD, 5:38) features an interview with museum guide Sharon Brown about the significance of the Lion Locomotive and it's history in a museum setting. She discusses its display as well as the life the locomotive had: being taken out for rides over-time before eventually becoming a permanent display piece to preserve the locomotive.
Locations Featurette (SD, 2:34)
Stills Gallery (SD, 1:25)
Douglas Slocombe on Charles Crichton (SD, 4:21) features the cinematographer of The Titfield Thunderbolt discussing his collaborations with director Crichton. The audio interview is overlaid against black-and-white, still photography relevant to the production. Crichton gives some interesting anecdotes and stories about the filmmaker and his time spent with him.
Original Trailer (HD, 2:39)
The Titfield Thunderbolt Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
Arriving on Blu-ray in North America from Film Movement Classics, the US release of The Titfield Thunderbolt bears some striking similarities to the excellent release by Studio Canal released in the United Kingdom (and which was reviewed by my colleague Dr. Svet Atanasov). The Blu-ray release features an excellent transfer of the film and some enticing extras. For those who do not already own the international edition (which was a Region B locked edition), the Film Movement Classics edition will get the job done. Worth a look for fans.
