Okay, let's dust off a real gem from the shelf, one that might have sat comfortably next to your Indiana Jones tapes, even though it arrived a tad earlier. Picture this: it's 1978, Sean Connery is at the peak of his post-Bond suave, and he's not just playing a master thief – he's actually clambering across the top of a speeding steam train. That incredible, heart-in-mouth sequence isn't movie magic trickery; it's Connery himself, performing one of cinema's most audacious stunts. This wasn't just another caper film; this was The First Great Train Robbery (released as The Great Train Robbery outside the US), a meticulously crafted Victorian adventure directed, perhaps surprisingly, by Michael Crichton, the very same mind who would later unleash dinosaurs in Jurassic Park.
### A Grand Tour of Victorian London
Before he became synonymous with high-tech theme parks gone wrong, Crichton, adapting his own novel, demonstrated a remarkable flair for period detail. The First Great Train Robbery immerses you in the smoky, bustling, and often grimy world of 1855 London with palpable authenticity. From the posh gentlemen's clubs where our charming rogue Edward Pierce (Sean Connery) lays his plans, to the shadowy underworld alleys navigated by his accomplice Agar (Donald Sutherland), the film feels lived-in. Cinematographer Geoffrey Unsworth (who also shot 2001: A Space Odyssey and Superman) paints a gorgeous picture, capturing both the foggy gloom and the gaslit elegance of the era. Crichton poured over historical records, ensuring the slang, the costumes, and the societal nuances felt right. You can almost smell the coal smoke and damp cobblestones. This wasn't just a backdrop; it was a character in itself, making the audacious heist feel all the more grounded and thrilling.
### The Irresistible Trio
At the heart of this elaborate scheme is a trio of performers who absolutely sparkle together. Sean Connery as Edward Pierce is pure charisma. He’s intelligent, effortlessly cool, and carries that twinkle in his eye suggesting he enjoys the game as much as the potential spoils. It's the kind of role Connery excelled at – the charming anti-hero you can't help but root for. His commitment to the film, particularly that legendary train stunt sequence – performed at speeds reportedly nearing 55 mph – is staggering. Watching him, balance precarious, weaving between plumes of steam, is genuinely breathtaking filmmaking, a testament to an era before CGI safety nets. Apparently, Crichton was terrified watching his star perform the stunt, but Connery insisted.
Playing Agar, the master cracksman (safecracker), is Donald Sutherland in a wonderfully quirky turn. With his eccentric disguises and slightly shifty demeanor, Sutherland provides much of the film's humour and grounded skill. He’s the technician to Connery’s mastermind, and their banter is a delight. Rounding out the core team is Lesley-Anne Down as Miriam, Pierce's resourceful and alluring mistress. Far from just being window dressing, Miriam is integral to the plan, using her wits and charm to navigate high society and manipulate key figures. Down plays her with intelligence and a seductive edge, proving more than capable of holding her own alongside the two veteran actors. Their combined chemistry makes the intricate planning stages as entertaining as the heist itself.
### More Than Just a Heist
While the titular robbery – relieving a speeding train of a shipment of Crimean War gold – is the spectacular centerpiece, Crichton ensures the journey there is just as captivating. The film unfolds as a series of mini-heists, each required to obtain one of the four keys needed to access the gold safes. This structure keeps the pace brisk and allows for a variety of thrilling set-pieces: infiltrating a high-security office, navigating treacherous rooftops, charming information out of unsuspecting bank managers, and even dealing with escaped rats in a cellar (a sequence reportedly using dozens of trained rats!).
It’s a caper built on meticulous planning and nerve, showcasing ingenuity over brute force. Crichton adapted his own novel, which itself was based loosely on the Great Gold Robbery of 1855, and while he took liberties for dramatic effect (the real robbery was far less action-packed), he retained the core elements of cunning and audacity. Filming involved painstakingly restored Victorian locomotives and carriages, primarily shot on location in Ireland, adding another layer of authenticity that truly sells the period setting. The score by the legendary Jerry Goldsmith (known for everything from Planet of the Apes to Alien) perfectly complements the action, shifting from playful intrigue during the planning stages to rousing adventure during the heist itself.
### Why It Still Shines on the Small Screen
Watching The First Great Train Robbery today feels like settling in for a cracking good adventure yarn. It’s a film made with evident care and craftsmanship, boasting stellar performances and genuinely impressive practical stunts. Made for around $6 million, it performed respectably at the box office, though perhaps didn't achieve the blockbuster status of some contemporaries. Yet, its blend of historical detail, clever plotting, thrilling action, and sheer star power gives it an enduring appeal. It sits comfortably alongside other classic heist films but possesses a unique Victorian charm. It reminds us of a time when spectacle often relied on real-world daring and meticulous production design rather than digital wizardry.
There's a warmth and wit to the proceedings, even amidst the tension. It doesn't take itself too seriously, inviting the audience to simply enjoy the ride. For fans who remember discovering this on a flickering CRT via a well-loved VHS tape, it likely evokes memories of pure cinematic fun – a grand, old-fashioned adventure brought to life by screen legends. It’s a perfect example of solid, entertaining filmmaking from a director often celebrated for different genres.
VHS Heaven Rating: 8/10
Justification: The film delivers brilliantly on its premise with superb performances (Connery is iconic here), outstanding practical stunt work, meticulous period detail under Crichton's surprisingly adept direction, and a genuinely engaging, multi-layered heist plot. It’s pure, well-crafted entertainment. It loses a couple of points perhaps for a slightly leisurely pace in the middle compared to modern thrillers, and while charming, it might lack the deeper thematic resonance of some top-tier classics. However, its craftsmanship and sheer watchability are undeniable.
Final Thought: A wonderfully classy caper that proves stealing gold in top hats and corsets, especially with Connery leaping across train carriages, never goes out of style. Pure nostalgic adventure fuel.