IMDb > The Great Train Robbery (1903)

The Great Train Robbery (1903) More at IMDbPro »

Overview

User Rating:
7.5/10   3,351 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Great Train Robbery on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
1 December 1903 (USA) more
Genre:
Short | Crime | Western more
Plot:
A group of bandits stage a brazen train hold-up, only to find a determined posse hot on their heels. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
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Awards:
1 win more
NewsDesk:
[DVD Review] Come Hell or High Water
 (From JustPressPlay. 7 April 2009, 4:50 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Formation of Cinematic Narrative more (52 total)

Cast

  (Cast)
A.C. Abadie ... Sheriff (uncredited)
Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson ... Bandit / Shot Passenger / Tenderfoot Dancer (uncredited)
George Barnes ... (uncredited)
Justus D. Barnes ... Bandit Who Fires at Camera (uncredited)
Walter Cameron ... Sheriff (uncredited)
John Manus Dougherty Sr. ... Fourth Bandit (uncredited)

Donald Gallaher ... Little Boy (uncredited)
Frank Hanaway ... Bandit (uncredited)
Adam Charles Hayman ... Bandit (uncredited)
Morgan Jones ... (uncredited)
Tom London ... Extra (uncredited)
Marie Murray ... Dance-Hall Dancer (uncredited)
Mary Snow ... Little Girl (uncredited)
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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
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Runtime:
11 min (18 fps) (TCM print)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Black and White (hand-colored)
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Silent
Certification:
USA:TV-G (TV rating)
Filming Locations:
Dover, New Jersey, USA more
Company:
Edison Manufacturing Company more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The original camera negative still exists in excellent condition. The Library of Congress, who holds it, can still make new prints. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When the telegraph operator revives with his hands tied behind his back, he uses one of his hands to help him stand up and then quickly puts the hand behind his back again. more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in "Batman: The Riddler's False Notion (#1.32)" (1966) more

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
18 out of 18 people found the following comment useful.
Formation of Cinematic Narrative, 8 August 2003
9/10
Author: cjosephlyons from Ottawa Canada

I enjoy this film even though it is very old and compared to today's cinema, very limited in its attempt at realism. But today's cinema would not be what it is without the original innovation of cinematic devices by Edwin S. Porter, one of films first masters. His progress in narrative construction and his work in special effects techniques astonished audiences like never before. His work was limited specifically because he used the static camera affecting the impact of each of his shots. His unique and influential editing style allowed the audience to take part in the action of the film, not sitting idly watching it. The movie is 12 minutes long and is considered the first narrative film in history. The most exciting scene is when the gangsters raid the train station and rob the train. The train is a really well done mat-shot of a train pulling into the station, frightening the audience in their seats. I personally am most excited by the final closing scene of the gangster shooting his gun, aiming it directly at the audience. This audience point of view shot makes me feel like the narrative of the train robbery enticed me to cheer for the Sheriff, and the angry gangster shoots at me because I was cheering for his enemy. This film and this sequence of the gangster shooting the audience was solidified in cinematic history when Martin Scorsese pays homage in 'Goodfellas', with Joe Pesci gun barrage and sinister look.

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