The Great Train Robbery (1978)

	Directed by: Michael Crichton	AKA The First Great Train Robbery COUNTRY United Kingdom GENRE Heist/Comedy NORWEGIAN TITLE Det første store togrøveriet RUNNING TIME 110 minutes
	Produced by: John Foreman
	Written by (based on his own 1975 novel): Michael Crichton

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Edward Pierce / John Simms	Sean Connery
Agar	Donald Sutherland	½
Miriam	Lesley-Anne Down
Edgar Trent	Alan Webb
Henry Fowler	Malcolm Terris	½
Sharp	Robert Lang	-
Burgess	Michael Elphick	-
William "Clean Willy" Williams	Wayne Sleep	-
Emily Trent	Pamela Salem	-
Elizabeth Trent	Gabrielle Lloyd

Review

Michael Crichton's direction is too workmanlike and tonally cacophonous for this quasi-historical account of the world’s first train robbery to make much of an impression. The film boasts a strong cast led by Sean Connery and Donald Sutherland, and some big names behind the camera as well, including veteran cinematographer Geoffrey Unsworth – but his oversaturated images don’t match the faithful set decorations that otherwise almost transport you back to 1850s England. Despite solid production values, the film is marred by several detractions, such as some odd casting choices, including a seemingly same-aged mother and daughter (Pamela Salem, Gabrielle Lloyd) and a slightly miscast Donald Sutherland, whose British (or Irish) accent comes and goes. It has its moments, but if you came for the train robbery, you have to be very patient with this long-winded picture.