IMDb > The Titfield Thunderbolt (1953)

The Titfield Thunderbolt (1953) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   799 votes
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Director:
Charles Crichton
Writer:
T.E.B. Clarke (original screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Titfield Thunderbolt on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
20 October 1953 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy more
Tagline:
Full steam ahead for this comedy classic! more
Plot:
Comedy of railfans who take over their village's passenger train service (against bus company resistance) when British Rail abandons it. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
User Comments:
Fun stuff more (33 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)
Stanley Holloway ... Walter Valentine
George Relph ... Vicar Sam Weech
Naunton Wayne ... George Blakeworth
John Gregson ... Squire Gordon Chesterford
Godfrey Tearle ... Ollie Matthews, Bishop of Welchester
Hugh Griffith ... Dan Taylor
Gabrielle Brune ... Joan Hampton
Sid James ... Harry Hawkins (as Sidney James)
Reginald Beckwith ... Coggett
Edie Martin ... Emily
Michael Trubshawe ... Ruddock
Jack MacGowran ... Vernon Crump (as Jack McGowran)
Ewan Roberts ... Alec Pearce
Herbert C. Walton ... Seth
John Rudling ... Clegg - Inspector from Ministry
Nancy O'Neil ... Mrs. Blakeworth
Campbell Singer ... Police Sergeant
Frank Atkinson ... Station Sergeant
Wensley Pithey ... A Policeman
Harold Alford ... Guard
Ted Burbidge ... Engine Driver
Frank Green ... Fireman
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Hilda Fenemore ... Lady Washing Baby (uncredited)
Bert Harris ... Driver (uncredited)
George King ... Fireman (uncredited)
Sam Kydd ... Policeman (uncredited)
Jack May ... Old Man At Bedroom Window (uncredited)
Sid Mitchell ... Driver (uncredited)
Mervyn Seal ... Guard (uncredited)
Frank Sieman ... Beer drinker in Valentine's "corner" (uncredited)
Bob Stride ... Fireman (uncredited)
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Directed by
Charles Crichton 
 
Writing credits
(in alphabetical order)
T.E.B. Clarke  original screenplay

Produced by
Michael Truman .... producer
Michael Balcon .... executive producer (uncredited)
 
Original Music by
Georges Auric 
 
Cinematography by
Douglas Slocombe 
 
Film Editing by
Seth Holt 
 
Art Direction by
C.P. Norman 
 
Makeup Department
Harry Frampton .... makeup artist
 
Production Management
Harry Kratz .... unit production manager
Hal Mason .... production supervisor
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Terry Bishop .... second unit director
David Peers .... assistant director
Peter Crowhurst .... third assistant director (uncredited)
Erica Masters .... assistant director (uncredited)
John Meadows .... second assistant director (uncredited)
 
Art Department
Norman Dorme .... draughtsman (uncredited)
Tony Rimmington .... junior draughtsman (uncredited)
Jack Shampan .... draughtsman (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Arthur Bradburn .... sound recordist
Stephen Dalby .... sound supervisor
Peter Gilpin .... sound camera operator (uncredited)
Mary Habberfield .... dubbing editor (uncredited)
Cyril Swern .... boom operator (uncredited)
 
Special Effects by
Sydney Pearson .... special effects
E.R. Taylor .... special effects
 
Visual Effects by
Geoffrey Dickinson .... special processes
E. Hague .... special processes
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Paul Beeson .... photography: second unit
Jeff Seaholme .... camera operator
Chic Anstiss .... clapper loader (uncredited)
Frank Bassill .... camera operator: second unit (uncredited)
Neil Binney .... clapper loader (uncredited)
Roy Gough .... still photographer (uncredited)
George Pink .... focus puller (uncredited)
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Anthony Mendleson .... wardrobe
 
Editorial Department
Harry Aldous .... assistant editor (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Ernest Irving .... conductor
 
Other crew
Joan Bridge .... technicolor colour consultant
Felicia Manheim .... continuity
 
Crew verified as complete


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Additional Details

Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents
Runtime:
84 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System) | Mono (Gaumont Kalee Recording)
Certification:
Australia:G (TV rating) | UK:U | Iceland:L | UK:U (video rating) | Australia:PG
Filming Locations:
Bristol Temple Meads station, Bristol, England, UK more
Company:
Michael Balcon Productions more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Writer T.E.B. Clarke was a neighbor of Richard Beeching, then Director of ICI, at the time of filming. Beeching's 1963 report "The Re-shaping of British Railways" resulted in the wholesale closure of many branch lines like the one portrayed in the movie. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Dan Taylor & Walter Valentine are driving the stolen locomotive through the town, the wheels of the lorry that the replica locomotive was built on can seen in a shot looking from behind. more
Quotes:
Valentine: [proposing a toast] Our magnificent generals, General Gordon and General Booth. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Best of British: Ealing Comedies (#5.12)" (1993) more
Soundtrack:
The Eton Boating Song more

FAQ

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
8 out of 11 people found the following comment useful.
Fun stuff, 12 February 2001
Author: Darth Sidious (darth_sidious@talk21.com) from England

A film which the whole family can enjoy, not Ealing's best but you can't but smile at the innocence of it all.

The film's direction is nicely done. The screenplay is good, but very predictable; This doesn't hurt the picture.

The acting is nice, you feel a sense of community.

Overall, another Ealing film for the whole family to enjoy.

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