Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3052 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-11-13
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 80 minutes

Synopsis
The railroad between Mallingford and Titfield is losing money, and British Rail decides to close it. Clergyman Sam Weech (George Relph) and Squire Gordon (John Gregson) try to save the railroad by buying it and running it themselves. They enlist wealthy publican Valentine (Stanley Holloway), promising him that since the railway will be private, he'll be able to prop up the bar all day. They run into opposition however from the owners of the rival bus line, who would like to remove the competition. Battle lines are drawn--sometimes even across couples: Joan the barmaid (Gabrielle Brune) helps them while her fiance, steamroller driver Hawkins (Sidney James), joins the opposition. Railway enthusiasts Sam and Gordon have a month to show the authorities that they can run the railroad efficiently while coping with their opponent's campaign of sabotage.
Written by Ealing comedy regular T.E.B. Clarke and directed with impeccable timing by Charles Crichton, THE TITFIELD THUNDERBOLT is a Technicolor celebration of English rural teamwork and determination. It features exuberant performances from Holloway as the publican, James as the disgruntled steamroller driver, Hugh Griffith as a disreputable poacher who happens to be an ex-engine driver, and Godfrey Tearle as the surprisingly hands-on bishop.

Customer Reviews

The Ealing Power of Steam Trains!

This is one of my personal favourites from Ealing. The local railway line is threatened with closure (and replacement by a bus service). The village community decides to run the railway themselves, which causes the competing bus owners to engage in some underhand initiatives. This is the Britain of a bygone age, with gentle humour, steam trains, wonderful sunny British countryside and all in glorious colour! The casting is inspired, with lots of nice cameos (one of the best being Stanley Holloway as a boozy philanthropist who is encouraged to invest in the locally-run railway using the argument that he can have a licensed buffet car all day!). Good performances also from Hugh Griffith, John Gregson and Sid James. The enthusiasm of the local vicar for anything to do with steam trains is just wonderful to behold. Highly recommended!

Super classic film from a golden age!
A classic film from Ealing Studios focusing on the glorious bygone days of British Railways.
The Titfield railway is up for closure. Mortified, the local community propose to run the railway themselves, competing with the local bus company. Superbly shot in the beautiful West Country in glorious technicolour and with steam trains and the atmosphere of the tranquil branch line galore. A bit strange in places, especially when we are expected to believe a steam engine can run off the rails, however, this is Ealing and nothing should be taken too seriously.
As this film centres around a railway closure, could this have been one of Dr. Beeching's favourites?
First class!!

Super

The Titfield Thunderbolt is one of my favourites from Ealing fims. Everytime I see it I am taken back to my childhood. The local railway is threatened with closure to be replacemed by a bus service!. Local people try run the railway themselves. Which leads onto to many super - funny scences.

Great cast - great story!