Considered to be the first western motion picture and the first film to have a cohesive plot, Porter's silent short film has influenced many other similar films. Introducing a horseback chase scene, an environmental shootout and the inevitable stealing of a locomotive. It's not the content that has stood the test of time, but rather Porter's pioneering directing techniques. A group of bandits steal some valuables and make haste by taking control of a locomotive, where the locals are in hot pursuit. The beauty of this narrative is its composite structure, where two stories run concurrently together. In this instance, the fleeing bandits and the local community chasing after them. One of the earliest forms of cross cutting was used for this motion picture, which back in 1903 was rather unconventional. Porter's work may lack the imagination and showmanship of a Méliès production, however he makes up for it with competent techniques that add finesse. Substituting a staged production for on-location shooting, the town and its community enhances the authenticity and natural environment of this film. A refreshing change from most silent films of that era, that in hindsight certainly kept production costs down. The plot is clean with clear structure and hosts an infamous final shot of an outlaw firing blanks at the camera. The acting, whilst not entirely expressive, was functional although difficult to differentiate the characters due to them wearing similar attire. The pace, considering the runtime is 12 minutes long, somehow dips during certain scenes. The dance scene acting as comic relief felt unnecessary given the film's darker tone. These frames could've been used to heighten the action and thrills somewhere else. As a silent film venturing into a new genre, it works well. It has not aged as well as other recovered films of that era, but still a pleasant watch that showcases technical astuteness from Porter.

...at each new view. because it is more modern than you imagine. and new details are sources of seduction. a story almost perfect. because it has the gioft to present the basic traits of an ideal western, you feel the action and the only close up is legendary. short, a masterpiece.

This amazing picture is only 10 minutes long. So I could watch this while waiting to be taken to school, which I did once. But it's very innovative in that it tells a story to the audience. A group of bandits during the wild west period stick up a train and rob the passengers. Then they steal a train and run off. A posse of armed men pursues them and there is soon a big shootout in the woods somewhere. And that's really about it. But it's influential mainly because it's one of the first films ever to tell a story however brief it may be. It features a very famous shot at the end when one of the bandits looks straight at the camera then he fires at the camera. And then the film ends. Some versions I've found even have colored in aspects, like red smoke or something like that. There are a lot of versions on you tube to watch it so by all means please do so.

This is a fun, silent film. I feel it is a very complete and compelling story of its time which brings to life the concept of train robbers & legions of the time. As far as the technical side of things, I really enjoyed the use of camera-work. The use of the different camera angles and locations of the film really makes it interesting. I also enjoyed the use of additive coloring. I did feel that it was a tad slow for my taste but I shouldn't be too critical because it came in out 1903. For silent films that I've seen, I felt The General & Nosferatu are a little smoother but considering that those both came out 20 plus years later that would be an unfair judgment. All in all, though it is a good film and I give it a 6 out of 10.