Watch The 15:17 to Paris

The 15:17 to Paris is a 2018 American biographical drama film directed by Clint Eastwood and written by Dorothy Blyskal. The film is based on the autobiography The 15:17 to Paris: The True Story of a Terrorist, a Train, and Three American Heroes by Jeffrey E. Stern, Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler, and Alek Skarlatos. The movie stars the actual heroes of the event portrayed in the film: Alek Skarlatos, Anthony Sadler, and Spencer Stone.

The movie recounts the true story of three American men traveling through Europe. Alek Skarlatos, Anthony Sadler, and Spencer Stone were childhood friends who decided to take a backpacking trip across Europe. They had planned to visit several cities, but their trip took a dramatic turn when they boarded a train from Amsterdam to Paris on August 21, 2015.

The train journey takes a horrific turn when one of the passengers, Ayoub El-Khazzani, boards the train with a backpack full of weapons intending to commit a massacre. After the terrorist opens fire, the three friends, who happened to be sitting in the same carriage, take down the terrorist and prevent a major tragedy. They rush towards the danger instead of away from it, which later earned them the Legion of Honour, the highest French order of merit.

The movie depicts their lives before they boarded the train, the attack, and their heroism. We see the relationships between the three friends, how they grew up together, and the struggles they went through that brought them together.

The story jumps back and forth in time, showing the events that led up to the terrorist attack, including the boys' childhood and their military service. It also shows what happened after the attack, including the awards the trio received and the media attention they received as a result.

The film is unique in that it employs the real-life heroes to play themselves in the movie. For instance, Alek Skarlatos plays himself in the film. Although this was a risky move by the director, it gives the film an authentic feel, leaving the audience with a genuine emotional connection to the men’s bravery.

The 15:17 to Paris is a gripping and intense film that leaves viewers spellbound. The movie is well-paced, and there are no dull moments. The director does an excellent job of building suspense, both before and during the attack.

The film's message is all about heroism, bravery, and standing up for what is right. The three friends demonstrate a remarkable selflessness and courage that should inspire anyone to do the same. The film is, therefore, not just about what happened on that train but also about the power of the human spirit.

Overall, The 15:17 to Paris is a powerful movie that is worth watching. It tells a fascinating and inspiring story of three ordinary men who became heroes in the face of unimaginable adversity. By using the real-life heroes to play themselves in the movie, the director Clint Eastwood has created a film that feels authentic, raw, and real. It is a tribute to the courage and bravery of three friends who showed us what true heroism is all about.

The 15:17 to Paris is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3 and a MetaScore of 45.