Customer Reviews

Von Ryans Express

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Von Ryan's Express is an excellent war adventure set in Italy during WWII. The movie is about a group of prisoners attempting to escape to freedom by taking over the train they are being transported on. They are led by a man they hate, US Air Force Colonel Joseph Ryan, because of the way things happened in the past prison camp. This is a very exciting movie with plenty of action and also a unique story out of World War II. As well, the conclusion is one of the best endings to a war movie ever. Trevor Howard's line is the perfect capper.

This movie boasts an excellent cast to go along with fine storytelling and action. Frank Sinatra is very good as Colonel Ryan with Trevor Howard also great as his second in command British Major Fincham. Also joining them are Brad Dexter, Sergio Fantoni, John Leyton, Edward Mulhare as Father Costanza in a very funny role, and Wolfgang Preiss in another role as an arrogant German officer. This is a very good movie with an impressive cast alongside a good story. Excellent musical score by Jerry Goldsmith also. The DVD gives a widescreen presentation, remastered stereo, and also theatrical trailers from several movies including this one. A worthwhile movie for Sinatra fans and action fans!

This is a great WWII movie with a wonderful storyline.

They really don't make 'em like this anymore! Next to "The Great Escape," "Von Ryan's Express" is undoubtedly the best WWII prison escape drama ever made. The suspense is sometimes unbearable and will have the viewer at seat's edge for most of the whole latter half of the film. Sinatra is perfect as Ryan, but Trevor Howard almost steals the show as the British officer you will love to hate. Outstanding supporting performances all the way around! And the direction and editing are nothing short of superb. I can't think of a single minute of film wasted in this outstanding movie. Definately within the top ten of all WWII action dramas.

One of the best World War II action-adventure movies, Von Ryan's Express, is an exciting and suspense filled ride. The movie follows the exploits of a group of Allied prisoners, liberated from an Italian POW camp, in their bid for freedom on a hijacked troop train.

Frank Sinatra is Colonel Joseph Ryan, a pilot shot down over Italy in 1943, shortly before the fall of the country to the Allies. Captured, he is placed in an Italian POW camp, where the Allied commanding officer has just died as a result of punishment inflicted by the camp's Commander (Aldolfo Celi). As the highest ranking Allied officer, Ryan assumes command, much to the consternation of the ranking British officer (Trevor Howard). Because Italy's collapse appears imminent, Ryan seeks to immediately improve the conditions for the men in camp, at the expense of preparations for escape. For this perceived collaboration, he is christened "Von Ryan" by his own side.

When Italy falls, the prisoners find themselves unguarded as their Italian captors have disappeared. The group ventures out into the countryside, but is soon recaptured, this time by Nazi forces, who ruthlessly execute the wounded prisoners. The remaining men are put aboard a troop train for transport to a German run POW camp. Led by Ryan, the Allied forces commandeer the train in a violent take over. As the train proceeds north towards the Fatherland, the only Nazi left alive is Major Von Klemment (Wolfgang Preiss). His lovely mistress, Gabriella (Rafella Cara) is also aboard. The German language skills of the camp's chaplain (Edward Mulhare), are put to good use as he impersonates a Nazi officer allowing the train to continue on its escape route.

During a train stop, Von Klemment and Gabriella escape from the train, and Ryan winds up killing them both. Was it really necessary that the "innocent" Gabriella die, shot in the back? The need to prevent her from telling the authorities about the escape was paramount, but running in a tight skirt, she could have been easily caught by Ryan had he just given chase, instead of exercising his itchy trigger finger. Her death stains him further, and seems to serve as justification for his own fate.

After this pivotal incident, the remainder of the movie is a race through the mountains to the Swiss border. With the Allies beating back the pursuing Germans all along the way. In the end you find yourself pulling hard for "Von Ryan", but it is just not to be.

While the movie is very entertaining, it has been criticized for being totally unrealistic. Real POW's have stated that they were much too weak and malnourished to engage in any activity even approaching what is shown in the movie. Even viewed as pure fiction, this film is still very enjoyable.

VON RYAN'S EXPRESS is a great WWII action film about allied soldiers who hijack a train to get POW's to saftey. Frank Sinatra, in the title role, and an all-star cast are great as they try to outsmart the Germans as they drive the train through enemy territory. There are great action scenes and pulse pounding moments. However, the ending, depending on one's point of view is either classic or depressing. Frank Sinatra was at the top of his game and popularity that he lets his character get killed in the final moments of the film practically imitated by James Brown in the DIRTY DOZEN. Overall, a great movie!! Note: Look for James Brolin (aka Barbara Streisand's hubby) in a supporting role.

Von Ryan's Express is a somewhat unheralded -- yet must see -- film for WWII fans and Sinatra fans alike.

Granted, the movie is a smidgen below The Great Escape, but not by much. If you liked that movie, and who didn't, then you are sure to like this one. Instead of Steve McQueen this has Frank Sinatra who carries this role off to perfection. What makes Von Ryan's character so appealing is the believable character growth. Ryan begins appeasing his captors in exchange for fairer treatment; but over the course of the movie this changes radically and he leads a prison escape on a hijacked train through the spectacular Alps of Northern Italy.

The movie also offers fine acting by Trevor Howard, and an unknown Italian beauty. The costumes and sets are perfect recreations and of interest to people who reminisce or read about that era. Dialogue is excellent. And scenery is of sweeping beauty. I also loved the old trains.

This movie is an unheralded gem. Recommended.

If you liked the Civil War story of the stolen train in which Anderson stole the train the General Laregest mass awards of the Congressional Medal of Honor in the histroy of the USA) and ran it through Confederate territory being pursued by the dedicated Mr Fuller, then you will think this is wonderful...A British regiment is in an Italian concentration camp when an American Piolot (Frank Sinatra) arrives...he is the senior officer but the tradition of a fusilier regiment vs an American flying jock who thinks the war is just about over provides a good basis for character development amongst the allies...when the italians surrender the prisioners are to be moved north to Germany...however if all had gone according to plan there would have been no need for a movie...a must see...must own

This is a great movie full of action, good performances and emotion. Unlike THE GREAT ESCAPE the focus here is more on the events after escaping the prison camp and the dangers the men face the under cover of a train hell bent on freedom for all. It's a movie that you really have to see to feel its power and great emotions that you feel while watching it. There are so many good performances in this film, but it is Sinatra's devotion for the quest of freedom that really struck me. The finale with Trevor Howard's words will stay with you forever.

This is the best all time Sinatra film. He's great. A lone American officer stuck in an Italian prisoner of war camp that is primarily British prisoners from the beginning of the war. He finds himself the ranking allied officer. He quickly takes control and changes the situation.....

It's a good film. Fun to watch and never a dull moment. Some of the effects are a little lame, but the story is truly great.

A lot of effort went into this 1965 military war film classic. Now you don't have to wait for the movie on American Movie Classics to see it in wide-screen. The DVD version was released in Summer 2001. Frank Sinatra, playing the part of a downed American pilot, leads hundreds of POWs on a dash for the Swiss frontier in this action packed movie. Most of the action takes place on a hijacked Italian train, formerly commanded by the German military, as it winds its way ever deeper into enemy territory. Trevor Howard and Edward Mulhare (Known best for his roles in American television shows such as The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and Knight Rider)co-star. Also, look for Wolfgang Preis reprising the role of a German officer for the un-teenth time in his long career (The Longest Day, Anzio, Raid on Rommel, A Bridge Too Far, Battle of the Commandos, The Train, Is Paris Burning?, Ike the War Years, etc.). This film has nonstop action, train chases, aerial attacks and scenic Italian locations. If you haven't seen this film in wide-screen, now's your chance.