Movies About Trains

From Billy Wilder, starring Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, Byron Barr
Rated Passed

Double Indemnity is a classic film noir directed by Billy Wilder in 1944. It follows the story of insurance salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray), who is tricked into committing a murder by the devious and seductive Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck). In exchange for helping her kill her husband and collect the insurance money, he receives half of the proceeds and an offer of her love. Unbeknownst to the two, they are being manipulated by Mr. Dietrichson's friend and insurance agent, Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson), who is suspicious of their actions and is determined to uncover the truth. As the tension and stakes become higher, Walter and Phyllis are forced to come to terms with the consequences of their actions and the limits of their love.

From Billy Wilder, starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, George Raft
Rated Passed

Some Like it Hot is a classic comedy directed by Billy Wilder. The story follows two male musicians, Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon), who are on the run from the mob. In order to avoid detection, they disguise themselves as women and join an all-girl band. During their travels, they both fall in love with the same woman, Sugar (Marilyn Monroe), who is unaware of their true identities. As they grapple with the complications of their double lives, they also must contend with a mob boss who is hot on their trail. Together, they must figure out a way to escape the mob and win the hearts of the women they love.

From Richard Linklater, starring Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Andrea Eckert, Hanno Pöschl
Rated R

"Before Sunrise" tells the story of two young strangers, Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy), who meet on a train in Europe and impulsively decide to spend the night together in Vienna. As they wander the city and discuss their beliefs, doubts, and experiences, they find themselves drawn to each other, and their connection deepens. Despite the looming fear that their relationship will be fleeting, the two share an unforgettable night together and vow to meet again in six months.

From David Lean, starring Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard, Stanley Holloway, Joyce Carey
Rated Not Rated

"Brief Encounter" follows the story of Laura (Celia Johnson), a happily married woman whose life is suddenly thrown into turmoil when she meets Alec (Trevor Howard), a dashing doctor, while waiting at the train station. The two feel an immediate mutual attraction, and share a series of stolen moments of passion, as they struggle to reconcile their feelings with their spouses and societal expectations. As their relationship deepens, Laura and Alec must ultimately decide whether or not to stay together and risk losing everything they hold dear.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Farley Granger, Robert Walker, Ruth Roman, Leo G. Carroll
Rated PG

Strangers on a Train tells the story of two men, Guy Haines and Charles Bruno, who meet by chance on a train journey. Bruno, an unhinged socialite, suggests that they “trade murders” — he will kill Guy’s unfaithful wife, Miriam, and Guy will murder Bruno’s domineering father. Bruno follows through on his end of the bargain, and Guy finds himself in an increasingly desperate situation as he attempts to prove his innocence and prevent Bruno from killing again. With the help of detective Arthur Gerard, a tenacious investigator, Guy is eventually able to put an end to Bruno’s murderous plans and clear his name.

From Norman Jewison, starring Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, Lee Grant
Rated Approved

In the Heat of the Night is a 1967 American mystery drama film directed by Norman Jewison and starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger. The film follows a black police detective from Philadelphia who is sent to investigate a murder in a small backwoods Mississippi town. He faces an uphill battle in gaining the trust of the town's white residents, who are prejudiced and resentful of his presence. The film is set over the course of one night as the detective slowly pieces together the clues to the murder, while also dealing with racial tensions in the town. In the end, the detective is able to solve the case, but at a cost to the town's social order. The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and it is widely considered to be a classic of American cinema.

From Stanley Donen, starring Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau, James Coburn
Rated Passed

Charade is a stylish romantic comedy and suspense thriller starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. Grant plays a mysterious stranger who helps Hepburn's character, an American widow recently arrived in Paris, to solve the mystery of her murdered husband's missing fortune. As they search for the truth, they must stay one step ahead of a group of international criminals who are also after the money. Along the way, they begin to fall in love. With its witty dialog, exciting chase scenes, and beautiful locations, Charade stands as one of the most beloved classic films of all time.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Margaret Lockwood, Michael Redgrave, Paul Lukas, May Whitty
Rated Not Rated

The Lady Vanishes is a classic 1938 suspense-thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It follows a young Englishwoman, Iris, who is traveling through Europe by train. When an elderly lady, Miss Froy, suddenly disappears from the train, Iris finds herself in the middle of an international mystery. With the help of a charming music professor, Iris uncovers a complex conspiracy involving spies, blackmail, and murder. Despite the train’s staff and passengers’ efforts to stop them, Iris and the professor must uncover the truth before it’s too late.

From Morton DaCosta, starring Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Buddy Hackett, Hermione Gingold
Rated G

The Music Man is a classic musical film from 1962, directed by Morton DaCosta and starring Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, and Buddy Hackett. It follows the story of con-man Harold Hill, who arrives in the small town of River City, Iowa on the premise of selling band instruments and uniforms to the townspeople. However, his true goal is to fleece the townspeople out of their money and leave town before they realize he is a fraud. But when he meets Marian, the town librarian and music teacher, he finds himself falling in love and rethinking his plans. To win her over, Harold decides to stay and help the townspeople form a marching band, and soon his confidence, charm, and musical prowess begin to win them over. Ultimately, Harold must face his past, reconcile with Marian and the townspeople, and prove his worth. As the town comes together in harmony, The Music Man is a delightful story of redemption and true love.

From Bob Fosse, starring Liza Minnelli, Michael York, Helmut Griem, Joel Grey
Rated PG

Cabaret is a 1972 musical drama set in 1931 Berlin, during the rise of the Nazi Party. It follows the story of an American writer, Brian Roberts (Michael York), and his relationship with a young English cabaret singer, Sally Bowles (Liza Minnelli), as they explore love, ambition and politics. The film also follows the relationships of other characters, such as Maximilian (Helmut Griem), a rich German playboy, and the mysterious and sinister Master of Ceremonies (Joel Grey). The film follows the intertwining storylines of its characters at the Kit Kat Klub, a seedy nightclub where Sally works, and the city of Berlin, which is gradually becoming a dark and dangerous place. The film also examines the burning questions of the time: love and politics, and how they can be reconciled in the face of a rapidly changing society. While Cabaret features some of the most celebrated musical numbers of any film, its dark themes and subject matter make it a powerful, unforgettable film.

From John Hughes, starring Steve Martin, John Candy, Laila Robins, Michael McKean
Rated R

Planes, Trains & Automobiles is a 1987 American road comedy film written, produced, and directed by John Hughes. The film stars Steve Martin as Neal Page, a high-strung marketing executive, and John Candy as Del Griffith, a good-hearted but annoying shower curtain ring salesman. The two of them are forced to travel together from New York City to Chicago for Thanksgiving in order to get Neal home to his family. Along the way, their journey is filled with a series of misadventures and comedic mishaps. Along the way, Neal and Del form an unlikely bond, and ultimately come to appreciate each other's friendship.

From Chris Columbus, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith
Rated PG

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is a 2001 fantasy adventure film directed by Chris Columbus and based on J.K. Rowling’s 1997 novel of the same name. The film follows Harry Potter's first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as he discovers that he is a famous wizard and embarks on a quest to retrieve the Sorcerer’s Stone, an object that can give its user untold power. Along the way, he meets new friends and faces dangerous adversaries. With the help of his friends, Harry eventually defeats the evil forces that are trying to obtain the stone and in the process learns valuable lessons about friendship, loyalty, and bravery.

From Jim Jarmusch, starring Masatoshi Nagase, Yûki Kudô, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Cinqué Lee
Rated R

Mystery Train is a 1989 independent film written and directed by Jim Jarmusch. It follows the intertwining stories of three separate characters all sharing a room at a rundown hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. The first story follows a Japanese couple on a pilgrimage to Memphis to pay tribute to their idol, Elvis. The second story follows a married Italian couple in search of an adventure in the United States. And the third story follows an African American man whose wife has just passed away. As their stories unfold, the characters find themselves connected in ways they never could have imagined. Ultimately, the film shows that despite the differences between us, we all share a common humanity.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Sean Connery
Rated PG

From Hal Ashby, starring David Carradine, Ronny Cox, Melinda Dillon, Gail Strickland
Rated PG

From Andrey Konchalovskiy, starring Jon Voight, Eric Roberts, Rebecca De Mornay, Kyle T. Heffner
Rated R

From Billy Wilder, starring Gary Cooper, Audrey Hepburn, Maurice Chevalier, John McGiver
Rated Not Rated

From Sidney Lanfield, starring Bob Hope, Madeleine Carroll, Gale Sondergaard, George Zucco
Rated Passed

From Tony Scott, starring Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson, Ethan Suplee
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Michael Anderson, John Farrow, starring David Niven, Cantinflas, Finlay Currie, Robert Morley
Rated G

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Chris Coppola, Michael Jeter, Leslie Zemeckis
Rated G

From Brad Anderson, starring Woody Harrelson, Emily Mortimer, Ben Kingsley, Kate Mara
Rated R

From Eugenio Martín, starring Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Alberto de Mendoza, Silvia Tortosa
Rated R

From Martin Scorsese, starring Barbara Hershey, David Carradine, Barry Primus, Bernie Casey
Rated R

From Joseph McGrath, starring Peter Sellers, Ringo Starr, Isabel Jeans, Caroline Blakiston
Rated M/PG