The World War II action movie is based on a true story will be free to watch on TV.
10:51, 26 Oct 2025Updated 11:19, 26 Oct 2025
The film is set in WWII(Image: Getty)
A war film based on an incredible true story is on TV later today, and it has a staggering 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
In 1964, John Frankenheimer’s American-French film, The Train, made its debut in cinemas and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Screenplay.
The World War 2 flick, set in August 1944, centred on French Resistance fighter Paul Labiche, portrayed by Burt Lancaster, who faced off against Paul Scofield’s German Colonel Franz von Waldheim.
The Nazi officer was tasked with transporting stolen works of art back to Germany via train.
The Train drew inspiration from the 1961 non-fiction book Le front de l’art by Rose Valland, an art historian at the Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume.
One of the best World War 2 action movies based on a true story is on TV this weekend(Image: GETTY)
Valland documented the masterpieces stored there that had been plundered by the Nazis from French museums and private art collections for transport back to Germany, reports the Express.
In reality, the shipment was indeed delayed by the French Resistance on August 1, 1944. However, unlike the events depicted in the Burt Lancaster film two decades later, the Nazi’s plan was thwarted not by action but by endless paperwork and bureaucracy, meaning the priceless works only travelled a few miles outside of Paris.
In fact, train No 40,044 was seized and inspected by Lt Alexandre Rosenberg of the Free French forces just outside the capital city. Upon opening the carriage doors, he discovered several works of art that had belonged to his father, art dealer Paul Rosenberg.
Paul Scofield(Image: GETTY)
The Train movie’s action included several real wrecks, and the Allied bombing of a rail yard was made possible thanks to actual dynamite.
Director Frankenheimer considers The Train to be the final major action film shot in black and white, a factor he believes greatly improved the end result. Lancaster himself was part of the Second World War, enlisting in the US Army in January 1943.
The soon-to-be Hollywood sensation served with the 21st Special Services Divisions, accompanying ground troops and offering USO entertainment to lift spirits.
After serving under General Mark Clark’s Fifth Army in Italy from 1943-1945, he was discharged in October following the conclusion of the war.
Burt Lancaster stars in the war film(Image: Getty)
On Rotten Tomatoes, fans branded the film a “masterpiece”, with one writing: “A classic of its era. Some great camerawork and one of Lancaster’s best roles. I truly love this wonderful film.”
Another commented: “A classic that lives up to the hype, if you like war movies, suspense or trains this is not one to miss.”
“The greatest action film ever! Period,” a third insisted, as one more agreed: “Maybe the best war movie ever.”
Burt Lancaster(Image: GETTY)
Meanwhile, critics had nothing but glowing praise for the war movie, with The Times writing: “A pair of high-class performances power this Second World War yarn.”
Film Frenzy said: “This gripping film places a philosophical query in the context of a rousing action flick.”
While the Wall Street Journal reflected: “The movie’s central moral question – Can we justify the loss of human life to save inanimate objects? – remains as potent as ever. And one of this film’s greatest attributes is that it leaves the answer to the viewer.”
The Train will be broadcast on BBC Two on Sunday afternoon at 2:20pm and will be available on BBC iPlayer for a short period afterwards.