The Titfield Thunderbolt (1953) YTS

Reviewed by John Chard 10 / 10

Yes, yes, she'll run. She's as good as

Yes, yes, she'll run. She's as good as she ever was. I'll stake my living on it! It's almost impossible for me to write a review of substance for The Titfield Thunderbolt, such is the love and unadulterated joy I have had with it for nigh on 40 years now. It was one of those magical moments in childhood when me, an obvious train set owner, caught this colourful {it was Ealing Studios first colour film} picture and took it all in like it was magic in a box. Of course back then I had no idea about the thematics of the picture, I just loved the train and the quirky characters that were making me laugh. But now here in a more modern age the film holds up better than most of its Ealing contemporaries, those themes back in the day are a reality. Villages are desperately clinging onto their identities, money mad conglomerates think nothing of heritage and the voice of the common man. And worst of all, the community spirit, the "tho shall not pass us" mentality has gone and in its place is fear and sadness. Aye, I wonder if T.E.B. Clarke had any idea when he sat down to write The Titfield Thunderbolt, that he was not just writing a quaint story about villagers rising up to save their own Branch Line Railway. But that it would also be a freeze frame of a golden age in Britain, a snap-shot of a transport industry that was still 10 years away from being torn apart. I love The Titfield Thunderbolt like a family member, I really do. I can watch it now and it takes me away from this big old world that has gotten itself in one big hurry and strife. I laugh, I even weep tears of joy and I even get angry at the villains in the piece. It's the power of cinema in its truest form when a little village, a small train and some plucky courage in the rolling countryside can instill such emotions in a human being. 10/10

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Reviewed by Leofwine_draca 6 / 10

Likable nostalgia piece

As THE TITFIELD THUNDERBOLT started, I was surprised to see that it was in colour - a first for the Ealing studio. It soon becomes apparent that story-wise this is very similar to the likes of PASSPORT TO PIMLICO, in showing the efforts of a small community in coming together and fighting back against government bureaucracy. The different is that the city confines of PIMLICO are swapped for something altogether more bucolic.

The story - about the privatisation of a railway line - is slight stuff and really an excuse for lots of larking about with trains, steam engines, buses, and the like. It's a little like THE RAILWAY CHILDREN in that respect. As is usual for an Ealing film, the cast is packed with celebrated character actors including the likes of Sid James, Naunton Wayne, Stanley Holloway, and a youthful Hugh Griffith. The humour is full of warmth and flows naturally, and the wit is evident in the sheer level of care taken with both script and production.

The Titfield Thunderbolt

1953

Comedy

The Titfield Thunderbolt

1953

Comedy

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Movie Reviews

Yes, yes, she'll run. She's as good as

Likable nostalgia piece

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