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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Disney's Great Locomotive Chase relates a true Civil War story about the Andrews Raiders, a team of 22 Union spies. In 1862 they snatched a train out from under the normally watchful eyes of Confederate troops based near Atlanta in a daredevil attempt to wreck the track and bridges of the Western & Atlantic Railroad. It was a high-stakes operation with a huge payoff. If they succeeded, they would effectively win the war; if they were caught, they were sure to be hanged. This 1956 feature shores up the suspense of the scheme masterfully. We watch, transfixed, as the relentless Confederate train conductor, William Fuller (played by the all-business Jeffrey Hunter) roars through a bevy of Southern stations hot on the heels of his hijacked locomotive. Will James Andrews (Fess Parker), leader of the Raiders, outrun him? History buffs won't need to keep watching for long, but they'll want to anyway--the portrayal of the Raiders' gumption and against-all-odds heroics pushes the basest, most human of audience buttons. It's not that The Great Locomotive Chase is a simple but well-done film about good vs. evil. Instead, it explores both sides' motives and draws gentle conclusions about honor, and it does so at an invigoratingly high clip. In that way, it's a movie worth sharing with kids 8 and older--there's no blood and only a sprinkling of violence here, but as with all war stories, tragedy plays a prominent role. --Tammy La Gorce
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
54 of 56 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
It's been many years since I had seen "The Great Locomotive Chase", and it was a real pleasure to watch it again. With so many other reviews, I don't think I need to summarize the plot.
Anchor Bay, as usual, has given us a DVD that is beautiful to look at, with only a few areas where the age of the film is apparent. This is widescreen and I can't imagine watching this film any other way. The sound is pretty much what you would expect for a 1956 release.
Fess Parker and Jeffrey Hunter are fine as the lead protagonists, with Jeff York also registering as one of Andrews' Raiders who would rather fight, than follow the "cloak and dagger" routine. Of course, York played Mike Fink--"King of the River"--opposite Fess Parker's Davy Crockett.
This movie is a dream for railroad buffs--old steam trains still provide a thrill for many people. It is also noteworthy for people interested in the civil war, being based on actual events, although I suspect history scholars might find it too superficial. However, the purpose of this movie is to entertain fans of all ages--not to get bogged down in too much detail.
Parents should find this movie a delight to watch with their children, especially young boys. The plot is not complicated--there is plenty of action--and while shots are fired, and some fists fly, there is none of the more graphic violence that today's films seem to wallow in.
Like other reviewers, I would have liked some "extras". Comments from Fess Parker--now a successful California wine-maker--added a lot to Disney's Davy Crockett collection. Mr. Parker's memories of this film would have been a nice plus. Sadly, Jeffrey Hunter passed away at a young age, during the 1960s.
Perhaps some day there will be a "deluxe" edition from Disney--but, in the mean time, we must thank Anchor Bay for giving us this highly watchable version.
Again, recommended viewing for the whole family.
A very sad footnote, dated 20 March 2010. Mr. Fess Parker has passed away. I recall as a small boy in England seeing Davy Crockett, and being mesmerized by this tall, "straight-talkin' straight-shootin'" American, who was indisputably the "King of the Wild Frontier" ! Like millions of kids all over the world, I was soon running around with a coonskin cap, singing the Davy Crockett song. Thank you for the magical memories, Mr. Parker--God rest your soul.
Anchor Bay, as usual, has given us a DVD that is beautiful to look at, with only a few areas where the age of the film is apparent. This is widescreen and I can't imagine watching this film any other way. The sound is pretty much what you would expect for a 1956 release.
Fess Parker and Jeffrey Hunter are fine as the lead protagonists, with Jeff York also registering as one of Andrews' Raiders who would rather fight, than follow the "cloak and dagger" routine. Of course, York played Mike Fink--"King of the River"--opposite Fess Parker's Davy Crockett.
This movie is a dream for railroad buffs--old steam trains still provide a thrill for many people. It is also noteworthy for people interested in the civil war, being based on actual events, although I suspect history scholars might find it too superficial. However, the purpose of this movie is to entertain fans of all ages--not to get bogged down in too much detail.
Parents should find this movie a delight to watch with their children, especially young boys. The plot is not complicated--there is plenty of action--and while shots are fired, and some fists fly, there is none of the more graphic violence that today's films seem to wallow in.
Like other reviewers, I would have liked some "extras". Comments from Fess Parker--now a successful California wine-maker--added a lot to Disney's Davy Crockett collection. Mr. Parker's memories of this film would have been a nice plus. Sadly, Jeffrey Hunter passed away at a young age, during the 1960s.
Perhaps some day there will be a "deluxe" edition from Disney--but, in the mean time, we must thank Anchor Bay for giving us this highly watchable version.
Again, recommended viewing for the whole family.
A very sad footnote, dated 20 March 2010. Mr. Fess Parker has passed away. I recall as a small boy in England seeing Davy Crockett, and being mesmerized by this tall, "straight-talkin' straight-shootin'" American, who was indisputably the "King of the Wild Frontier" ! Like millions of kids all over the world, I was soon running around with a coonskin cap, singing the Davy Crockett song. Thank you for the magical memories, Mr. Parker--God rest your soul.
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The movie is outstanding. Fess Parker and the rest turn in excellent performances. This exciting story is based on the true to life incident that took place during the Civil War. From what I have heard there were only a couple minor changes in the recreation of the story. Walt Disney made wonderful movies during the Fifties and Sixties that were great for the whole family to enjoy together. I am ecstatic they are now releasing these movies to DVD. My only complaint is that there seems to be an issue with quantity instead of quality. They seem more interested in releasing a great number of movies than worrying about the condition of them. Now I'm am as anxious as the next person to get all their live action movies out but I hope they start taking the time to realize they need to monitor the quality control. I don't need the extras on this first release. Once they have released all the movies they use to run on "The Wonderful World of Disney" then they can go back and do Platinum Editions. I will be satisfied with just the movie since there are so many more they need to release like "Dr. Syn, alias Scarecrow" and "The Swamp Fox" that I can be satisfied with just the basics but I want the movie to have sharp picture and sound quality. Some of the recent live action movies have been great quality (e.g. Three Lives of Thomasina) and some have been poor (e.g. "The Journey of Natty Gann). I hope someone from Disney is paying attention to Amazons reviews because if they don't they may find their DVDs aren't selling so well. Fortunately this DVD picture and sound quality are nicely restored. There are no extra features.
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
The story of Andrew's Raiders and their adventures during the Civil War had served as the basis for Buster Keaton's classic silent comedy "The General." In 1956 Walt Disney produced a more serious and more historically accurate account with the studio's new star Fess Parker as James J. Andrews. A Union spy, Andrews puts together a group of volunteers who will pretend they are on their way to join the Confederate army, board a passenger train, and steal it. However, once they succeed in stealing a train they have to put up with its conductor, William A. Fuller (Jeffrey Hunter), who pursues them so relentlessly that you end up forgetting he is not the hero of this particular story. Despite all the obstacles they through as their pursuer, such as uncoupling a car to send rolling back at the other train and burning another car in the middle of a bridge, Andrews and his men are finally forced to abandon the train. However, they are all captured and now have to plot a daring escape from the Confederate stockade.
"The Great Locomotive Chase," directed by Francis D. Lyon, was filmed in beautiful county in northern Georgia on tracks that paralleled the actual route taken by the Andrews Raiders. You want to make sure you pick up the widescreen version that reflects the original CinemaScope proportions becuse there are several shots that take full advantage of the larger dimensions. What is most impressive about Lawrence E. Watkin's screenplay is not just the lengthy chase sequence but the fact that the Confederate conductor comes across as much of a hero as the Andrews himself. Whether you are an enthusiast of trains and/or a Civil War buff, this is an enjoyable film. Get a hold of "The General" and do a double-feature!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good Movie But Not As Good As I Remeber
I bought this movie because it is based on, well, er, The Great Locomotive Chase. The fact that it was Disney seemed like a plus, although I was doubtful about Fess Parker. Read more
Published 15 days ago by billrowe@gandolf.com
A wonderful movie
This was a wonderful movie, Fess Parker did a good job as always, the end was a little weepy for me but I loved this movie!
Published 27 days ago by R. Alvarado
A childhood favorite revisited.
I remembered seeing this as a child and wanted to view it again. My grandchildren enjoyed the adventure video and learned some Civil War historical facts as well.
Published 1 month ago by hvac06
Poor Quality - Avoid (c) 2000 by Anchor Bay
I ordered the Anchor Bay (c) 2000 edition and then found the Disney version (c) 2004 at the library. There's no comparison. The Anchor Bay version has TV scan lines in it! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Robert Gunnison
DVD - The Great Locomotive Chase
We ordered this DVD to go along with the book "Stealing the General: The Great Locomotive Chase and the First Medal of Honor by Russell S. Bonds". Read more
Published 3 months ago by dbl00
A look at the civil war
This Disney movie tell the story of union operatives who steal a Confederate train.
The movie tells a toned down story of the actual events as this
movie is intended for... Read more
The movie tells a toned down story of the actual events as this
movie is intended for... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Richard N. Jacob
great locomotive chase
very quick response to the order received it very quick order am happy with order would purchase from this person again thumbs up
Published 8 months ago by elmer1946
One of Walt's best!
This was the first of Walt's live action films (without animation). Fess Parker ( A VERY young Fess Parker ) is the hero in this fact-based movie set during the civil war. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Robert Miller
Classic Disney Adventure Film
Truly classic Disney historical adventure film. True story of the first Congressional Medal of Honor winners and the Great Locomotive chase. Read more
Published 12 months ago by R. McNealy
Great Disney Historical Train Flick
If you like to watch trains you must have this. The old locomotives are great including the General Lee. But the best thing is the beautful railroad and Georgia scenery. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mike Adams
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