lin-black
Joined Jan 2008
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Reviews16
lin-black's rating
I've now seen this film twice on television over the years and there is nothing wrong with it. For a TV movie I think it is quite good and it whiles away a pleasant couple of hours. I would love to get it on DVD.
In an out of control train hurtling back down the mountain at 70mph, Ben Johnson doesn't bat an eyelid, and gets off the train at the station as if it is all in a days work!
In a comparison with "Unstoppable" which I have just seen and which is apparently being tipped to win an Oscar (why! how?) I know which of the two films I prefer!
The Runaway Train, as a TV movie, was made on a shoestring in comparison with films made for the big screen by the movie moguls in the large studios. Special effects were virtually non-existent in this film, where as today CGI effects are on tap and can produce anything the produced or director wish.
This might have been one of the likable Ben Johnson's more smaller films in his illustrious career, but it certainly wasn't his worst.
In an out of control train hurtling back down the mountain at 70mph, Ben Johnson doesn't bat an eyelid, and gets off the train at the station as if it is all in a days work!
In a comparison with "Unstoppable" which I have just seen and which is apparently being tipped to win an Oscar (why! how?) I know which of the two films I prefer!
The Runaway Train, as a TV movie, was made on a shoestring in comparison with films made for the big screen by the movie moguls in the large studios. Special effects were virtually non-existent in this film, where as today CGI effects are on tap and can produce anything the produced or director wish.
This might have been one of the likable Ben Johnson's more smaller films in his illustrious career, but it certainly wasn't his worst.
I remember seeing Plague of the Zombies when it first came out in the 60's and was instantly impressed.
Brit film makers Hammer had a reputation for churning out a succession of cheap and cheerful hammy horror films, often back to back using the same sets. One or two were good, most were mediocre, and some were awful. Hammer often used experienced actors like Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, but also used reasonably well known British character actors, and also gave many young actors and actresses a start in films. This is certainly one of their best efforts and it has a couple of genuinely scary moments.
It is well made, well directed, photography is excellent, actors are competent. No complaints.
Brit film makers Hammer had a reputation for churning out a succession of cheap and cheerful hammy horror films, often back to back using the same sets. One or two were good, most were mediocre, and some were awful. Hammer often used experienced actors like Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, but also used reasonably well known British character actors, and also gave many young actors and actresses a start in films. This is certainly one of their best efforts and it has a couple of genuinely scary moments.
It is well made, well directed, photography is excellent, actors are competent. No complaints.
I saw this film in London when it first came out in the 70's and I thought it was OK and it certainly wiled away a couple of hours and it is not half as bad as people make out.
Borgnine plays himself, Captain Kirk is in it, and so is John Travolta, and so it certainly hasn't got nobodies in it.
It is an interesting little film and it is scary on occasions, well, certainly scarier for example than some of the more poorer films made by hammy British horror film makers Hammer (the only half-decent film they managed to come up with was Plague of the Zombies).
Anyhow, The Devils Rain is a nice little film and the ending is absolutely great - you'll never guess it and you don't see it coming.
Borgnine plays himself, Captain Kirk is in it, and so is John Travolta, and so it certainly hasn't got nobodies in it.
It is an interesting little film and it is scary on occasions, well, certainly scarier for example than some of the more poorer films made by hammy British horror film makers Hammer (the only half-decent film they managed to come up with was Plague of the Zombies).
Anyhow, The Devils Rain is a nice little film and the ending is absolutely great - you'll never guess it and you don't see it coming.