8.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
In 1944, a German colonel loads a train with French art treasures to send to Germany. The Resistance must stop it without damaging the cargo.
Starring: Burt Lancaster, Paul Scofield, Jeanne Moreau, Suzanne Flon, Michel SimonDrama | 100% |
War | 43% |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 16-bit)
Music: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
John Frankenheimer's "The Train" (1964) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber. The supplemental features on the disc include archival audio commentary by the director; new audio commentary by critic Steve Mitchell and author Jay Rubin; episode of Trailers From Hell; vintage trailer; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked'.
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.66:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Train arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Kino Lorber.
I quite like the look of MGM's current master. There are a few blemishes that pop up here and there, but depth, clarity, and delineation are very good. This master is very nicely graded as well, which is why a lot of the darker footage can look quite strong. In fact, I would like to specifically mention that I did not see any particularly distracting black crush, which is a very common limitation on older masters. Density levels are very good, often even excellent, though my guess is that if the film ever gets a modern 4K makeover some meaningful improvements will be introduced. Virtually all of them should have something to do with overall stability because there are a few areas with minor but noticeable density fluctuations that will be minimized or eliminated. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections. Image stability is very good. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There is only standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.
While the dialog is very easy to follow, the lossless audio can definitely sound better. There are more than a few areas where some exchanges can become quite 'thin' and 'flat', plus there are some pretty basic dynamic unevenness which was likely introduced by ageing. On the other hand, the audio is very clean, so proper rebalancing work should introduce all of the key improvements that are needed for the audio to be as good as possible.
John Frankenheimer's The Train is a great, well, train film. What you see in it is real and shot in a way that is hugely impressive. (It seems even more impressive now, since digital technology has made this particular type of film-making obsolete). But I am not convinced that it is the monumental war masterpiece some of its biggest admirers claim it is. It plays fast and loose with the truth and in the process produces an avalanche of familiar cliches that makes it impossible to ignore the fact that it was conceived to be a grand Hollywood-esque spectacle. It is an entertaining film, but this isn't the same as being a great and more importantly believable war film. Kino Lorber's release is sourced from an older but strong organic master that was supplied by MGM. RECOMMENDED. (If you enjoy period train films and can play Region-B discs, consider tracking down Rene Clement's The Battle of the Rails as well).
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