The Great Train Robbery

Watch The Great Train Robbery

  • TV-G
  • 1903
  • 11 min
  • 7.3  (20,590)

The Great Train Robbery is a classic Western silent film from 1903. The movie is one of the earliest examples of film storytelling with its use of close-up shots, editing and cross-cutting techniques. It was produced by Sigmund Lubin and directed by Edwin S. Porter. The film starred Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson, A.C. Abadie and George Barnes.

The movie tells the story of a group of bandits who rob a train and steal a large sum of money. The story is set in the American Old West and features a chase across rugged terrain. The movie uses a number of innovative film techniques to tell its story. It was one of the first films to use cross-cutting to show parallel action in multiple locations, and it also used close-ups to show details that were not clear from a distance.

The film begins with a shot of a steam locomotive pulling into a station, signaling the start of the robbery. As the train stops, the bandits rush towards it with guns drawn. They force the train guard to open the mail car, where they find a large bag of cash. They then proceed to the passenger cars, holding up the passengers and taking their valuables.

After the robbery, the bandits escape on horseback and head for the hills. A posse is quickly formed to track them down, and a thrilling chase ensues. The bandits fight it out with the posse, and the lead bandit finally meets his end in a dramatic showdown.

The Great Train Robbery was a groundbreaking film in many ways. It is widely considered to be one of the first narrative films ever made, and it broke new ground in terms of using film techniques to tell a story. The movie was innovative in its use of camera angles and editing, and it helped to establish film as a new medium for storytelling.

Despite its short length (just over 10 minutes), The Great Train Robbery is a thrilling, action-packed film that holds up well even over a century after its initial release. It remains an important part of film history and is still studied and admired by film students and fans alike.

Overall, The Great Train Robbery is a classic Western film that remains a landmark in cinematic history. Its use of innovative film techniques helped to establish film as a sophisticated medium for storytelling, and its thrilling story and action-packed scenes continue to captivate audiences today.

The Great Train Robbery is a 1903 crime movie with a runtime of 11 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.

The Great Train Robbery
Description
Where to Watch The Great Train Robbery
The Great Train Robbery is available to watch free on Kanopy. It's also available to stream, download on demand at FlixFling. Some platforms allow you to rent The Great Train Robbery for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1903
  • MPAA Rating
    TV-G
  • Runtime
    11 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.3  (20,590)