I first saw this movie in the theatre when I was ten years old (in 1965), and I immediately decided it was my favorite movie of all time. Think about it. A ten year old kid deciding what was the best movie of all time. Now I'm older, and VON RYAN'S EXPRESS is no longer my choice for the best movie of all time. It's not even in my top ten. Can you believe it? I've got to tell you, though, I've seen it more recently, and it's still a damn good movie.
* SPOILER ALERT *
This may be the last movie Frank Sinatra did where he served the script rather than go the movie star route. His character is not likeable (Hence the "Von" Ryan moniker), makes mistakes, and is clearly driven by guilt in his decisions. When he shoots the woman in the back while dressed as a Nazi in front of the Italian boy - I consider it the last great scene of his career. And the way he gets shot in the back at the end and goes down on the tracks is a cinematic image I'll never forget. By the way, I don't think many people know how remarkable the ending of this movie is. Not only was it unusual for a major star to die at the end of a movie back in 1965, but the fact is, the original novel this movie is based on ends with Ryan SURVIVING, making it to Switzerland with the train! They actually changed the plot to go for a bigger downer of an ending!
* END OF SPOILER ALERT *
Anyway, damn good cast (especially Trevor Howard), the plot is very solid, and my only quibble, about the German planes looking nothing like WWII German aircraft, is not limited to VON RYAN'S EXPRESS. After all, those same aircraft were used as WWII German aircraft in THE GREAT ESCAPE.
This movie takes me back. In the best way.
* SPOILER ALERT *
This may be the last movie Frank Sinatra did where he served the script rather than go the movie star route. His character is not likeable (Hence the "Von" Ryan moniker), makes mistakes, and is clearly driven by guilt in his decisions. When he shoots the woman in the back while dressed as a Nazi in front of the Italian boy - I consider it the last great scene of his career. And the way he gets shot in the back at the end and goes down on the tracks is a cinematic image I'll never forget. By the way, I don't think many people know how remarkable the ending of this movie is. Not only was it unusual for a major star to die at the end of a movie back in 1965, but the fact is, the original novel this movie is based on ends with Ryan SURVIVING, making it to Switzerland with the train! They actually changed the plot to go for a bigger downer of an ending!
* END OF SPOILER ALERT *
Anyway, damn good cast (especially Trevor Howard), the plot is very solid, and my only quibble, about the German planes looking nothing like WWII German aircraft, is not limited to VON RYAN'S EXPRESS. After all, those same aircraft were used as WWII German aircraft in THE GREAT ESCAPE.
This movie takes me back. In the best way.