Or, The First Great Train Robbery (1978) if you are British. I decided to take a look at this old flick (which came out the same year I was born, so I guess I, too, count as “old”) which was written and directed by Michael Crichton of Jurassic Park fame, and stars Sean Connery, Donald Sutherland, and Lesley-Anne Down. Based on a true event that happened in 1855, the film is a pretty typical heist flick, but in fancy period costume, so it hit two of my personal weaknesses right off the bat. Of course, in true 1970s fashion the plot got a little beleaguered with its own high-minded premise and I started to lose interest about halfway through (the gin and tonics didn’t super help, either), so I can’t really comment on whether or not it’s worth watching for the plot. That said, the costumes weren’t terrible and Sean Connery is Sean Connery, if you know what I mean. So if you dig a hairy chest and a Scottish accent, I suppose you may find the film worthwhile!
The costumes were designed by Anthony Mendleson, who had a career going back to the 1940s by the time he got around to putting Lesley-Anne Down in a corset without a chemise in this film, but for folks of my generation/specific taste in bad movies, he’s probably best known for his work on Dragonslayer (1981) and Krull (1983). Honestly, while there are a couple of standout uses of upholstery in period costume in The Great Train Robbery, much of the costumery is … well … It’s not great, but it’s not bad.Â
All in all, this film is not going to blow anyone’s socks off with an amazing plot or amazing acting or, obviously, amazing costuming. But it was a harmless 1 hour and 50 minutes and I’m not mad about having watched it.
Did you like The Great Train Robbery (1978)? Tell us about it in the comments!
Connery’s hat is more than nice: it’s certainly made of real silk hatter’s plush, which hasn’t been made since the 1970s – by the time that film was made it hadn’t been woven in the UK for a couple of decades. The last firm in the world that made it, in Lyons (for centuries the centre of French silk production), was ruined when it was inherited by one of two brothers whose sibling was so jealous he smashed the special looms. A silk plush hat is as delectable to stroke as a cat, with the plus that it won’t unexpectedly scratch you.
I actually love this film and the film poster is one of my favourite. But Lesley-Anne Down is one of my very favourite actresses so that might explain it.
A really good book and an enjoyable movie.
Ha
A hairy chest I can take or leave, but a Scottish accent like Sean Connery’s, always.
If I remember correctly, ‘Princess Anne’ was being courted by Sean Connery’s character because her father had hidden a key the gang needed and the aforesaid criminal genius was looking for intelligence on the thing’s whereabouts (Possibly access to the location as well).
One also got a vague impression that the stepmother of ‘Princess Anne’ was actually sounding Connery’s character out – checking to see if he was a rogue & a scoundrel taking advantage of her stepdaughter – rather than genuinely interested in some ‘extracurricular activity’ (Connery or no Connery).
Also, you are more unkind to poor Mr Sutherland, who looks far better in period rig than Mr Connery and his little toupee. (-;