Must watch it for impeccable script & direction of Michael Crichton .Sean Connery again at top notch performance...

Performances extraordinary all across the board with this one; the acting was quintessentially classical, Sean Connery is a class act whatever he performs in and Donald Sutherland showed some serious weight dipping somewhat out of his comfort zone to star in a very British movie (the guys American).Whether the film is true to life I couldn't say as I wasn't around in the Victorian era, most likely it was beefed up for the big screen, but this matters not as the film was one of the last examples of old-school British film-making.Pierce and Agar are depicted as being cool before cool was even a thing, I couldn't see the real life duo being as cool and crowd pleasing as they are shown in the film, perfect example of how things are altered for the screen; but yes, they are villains no doubt, but not the detestable kind of villain you wish to see get their comeuppance, they're uniquely both the antagonist and the protagonist, you get behind them and root for them even though what they are doing is very illegal..., they are quite clearly anti-hero's. The period setting was astonishing, so many integrate details and due to its era of release, not a shot of CGI in sight, truly masterful. It achieves so much, and appeals to a wide range of genres, from drama to action, from biographical to romance, some may even consider the genre comedy to be prevalent, I certainly found some of the scenes to be rather amusing, such as the whole fiasco with the coffin being taken onto the train. An oldie but a goody, any budding film fan should add this well put together film to their collection.

Director Michael Crichtons' adaptation of his own novel (inspired by a real life incident) is a smashing success, making the most of superlative performances, a neat premise, real filmmaking skill, great Irish scenery, and very fine period recreation. It takes place in 1855 England, when a dapper gentleman, Pierce (a typically charismatic Sean Connery) plots to rob a large shipment of gold from a moving train! His co-conspirators are Miriam (lovely Lesley- Anne Down) and Agar (Donald Sutherland), and among other things, they will have to locate four different keys and make wax impressions of them."The First Great Train Robbery" (shortened to "The Great Train Robbery" for North American release) is great fun, placing a delicious and ingenious caper in a period piece. It's fascinating to watch our principals concoct various schemes, and go to such great lengths to learn what they need to do. What is always part of the entertainment in any caper or heist film is watching it play out like a procedural of sorts. Crichton is also adept at crafting tension, particularly in one sequence that relies on that familiar, and oft visited (for good reason) story trope of characters having to "beat a clock". The action scenes (directed by Dick Ziker) are likewise first rate, especially towards the end when Pierce must manoeuvre aboard the top of this speeding train. He has a myriad of overhanging bridges to duck under!Crichton and company (including the talented cinematographer Geoffrey Unsworth, to whom the film is dedicated) create a vivid world in which there may not be a lot of primary colors, but there are lots of striking visuals. Crichton doesn't miss opportunities for humor: there are some absolutely hilarious sexual double entendres, and poor Sutherland has to submit to a highly disgusting method of being smuggled aboard the train. It's all enhanced by the music of the extremely talented Jerry Goldsmith.Connery, Sutherland, and Down make a wonderful team, and there are no slouches in the supporting cast, either. Alan Webb, Malcolm Terris, Robert Lang, Michael Elphick, Wayne Sleep, Pamela Salem (who later played Moneypenny in Connery's James Bond comeback vehicle "Never Say Never Again"), and Gabrielle Lloyd co-star, with James Cossins, Janine Duvitski, Andre Morell, Brian Glover, and Patrick Barr in smaller roles.I recommend this one very highly.Nine out of 10.

The First Great Train Robbery is directed by Michael Crichton who also writes the screenplay. It stars Sean Connery, Donald Sutherland, Lesley-Anne Down, Wayne Sleep, Robert Lang, Alan Webb and Andre Morell. Music is scored by Jerry Goldsmith and cinematography by Geoffrey Unsworth. The story is loosely based on the real Great Gold Robbery of 1855, where a rogue criminal named William Pierce and his cohorts executed the theft of £12,000 in gold from a speeding train on route to aid the British Army during the Crimean War.A delightful period caper picture that's high on production value and fun characterisations. Split into two halves, Crichton's movie makes light of the actual crime to portray Connery and co as lovable rogues, thus hooking the viewer in to actually root for them to pull off the intricate crime. First half (well it's more two thirds of the film to be exact) details how the robbers obtained the four keys needed to get into the safe. Harder than it sounds since they are in different locations to one and other and guarded over by different officials. Naturally there are scrapes, skirmishes and obstacles to overcome during this complex operation, and no short amount of humour and tension either. Then it's on to the actual crime, which buzzes ferociously with derring do and ingenious cheek! It may have been loaded with chitter chatter and much bluffing of the way leading up to it, but the pay off is excellent and not without genuine excitement as Connery's (doing his own stunt work) Pierce and Sutherland's safe cracking Agar pull off the seemingly impossible. Benefiting the film greatly is Crichton's attention to detail, where he thrives on the Victorian England setting. From the streets, the costumes, the dialogue and mannerisms of the characters, they all fit nicely within the narrative. Helps, too, that the cast are playing it with tongue in cheek, Connery and Sutherland are revelling in playing roguish dandies, splendidly attired facially with quality face fuzz and Down raises the temperature of Connery and male audience members alike. Probably her best ever performance, Crichton writes a good role for Down that sees her not only as a sexy head turner (it's unlikely that Victorian underwear has ever looked this sexy before in film), but also as an observant member of the gang; one who isn't too shabby on the disguise front either. Dancer Wayne Sleep is nicely cast as a fleet footed housebreaker, while Lang, Webb, Morell and Michael Elphick pitch their respective performances just right. Goldsmith's score is energetic and Unsworth's (his last film as he sadly passed away shortly after shooting it) photography is a lesson in quality without trickery.Fanciful and tame if compared to the big budgeted actioners of today, The First Great Train Robbery none the less is testament that simplicity of plot and a keenness to entertain is sometimes all you need. 8/10