Starring: Fess Parker, Jeffrey Hunter, Jeff York, John Lupton, Eddie Firestone Directed By: Francis D. Lyon Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD Format: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC Label: Starz / Anchor Bay Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: March 18, 2003 Running Time: 87 minutes Theatrical Release Date: June 08, 1956
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
A Fine Old Disney Classic!! "The Great Locomotive Chase" tells the story of the Andrews Raid behind Confederate lines during the Civil War. Fess Parker plays the leader of the Union agents whose mission is to steal a train and cut a key Confederate rail line in Georgia. The Southern railroad honcho who tries foiling Andrews is Jeffrey Hunter. GLC was his next role after playing John Wayne's "nephew" in John Ford's western classic "The Searchers". (Trivia: Who played his girlfriend in the movie?) This reviewer believes JH far outshines Parker and the rest of the cast. The action is constant here as Hunter's train relentlessly pursues Andrews and his men. Railfans (not "train buffs"!) will love the switching of cars, setting of sidings and stoking the fires on the fine old cars provided by the B&O RR Museum in Baltimore. Smell that coal, smoke, valve oil and steam! There is also nice Southern atmosphere, especially those old stations. What happens? A good review doesn't reveal resolutions, but the pace does slow a bit later in the movie, prompting this reviewer to deduct a star from the rating above. Though it is no fault of the movie, the child in this observer remembers a different resolution from when he saw the film during its' initial run. Perhaps Disney released different versions. The bottom line is that GLC is fine old style, old school Disney family entertainment. The Old Man himself must have been proud of this one. When did Hollywood lose the knack for making movies like GLC-all in an 85 minute run time? The truly dedicated may wish to read "Daring and Suffering", written by one of the raiders and still in print. Answer to the teaser above: Vera Miles!
Exciting Disney movie based on a true story Based on true events, The Great Locomotive Chase is a Disney movie that has never gotten the recognition like some others, notably the Davy Crockett series, but it is an exciting, well-told story about an incident in the Civil War. James Andrews is a Union spy who shows his loyalty to the South by working as a blockade runner. Andrews is asked by a Union general upon reporting to undertake a dangerous mission. With a small group of men, get behind Confederate lines, steal a locomotive and race back to safety, tearing up track and burning bridges all the way so Confederate reinforcements can't get up to the lines for an upcoming attack. But with Confederates right on their tail, can they make it back? This was a short movie, about 85 minutes, but after the first 20-25 minutes, it's one extended chase scene which is exciting all the way until the end. Be forewarned if little kids are watching, this isn't your typical happy ending. The movie benefits from the locations in Georgia and North Carolina, it looks like the same areas seen in the DC movies, and the train footage is excellent. Definitely a worthwhile purchase!
Less than a year since wrapping up the five-part Davy Crockett shows on Disneyland, Fess Parker plays James Andrews, the leader of a small group of raiders trying to complete their dangerous mission behind enemy lines. Think of a more formal Davy Crockett for the character. Jeffrey Hunter is very good as William Fuller, the train conductor in hot pursuit of the raiders as they race toward safety. John Lupton is good as William Pittenger, the most visible of Andrews' raiders who becomes almost a second-in-command. Fans of Disney movies will appreciate the supporting cast that includes Jeff York, Kenneth Tobey, and Don Megowan. I kept waiting for Buddy Ebsen (Georgie Russel) to show up! The rest of the cast includes Harry Carey JR, Claude Jarman, Eddie Firestone, Slim Pickens, and even Dick Sargent of Bewitched fame in a small part. All around, a really good cast.
The DVD has a very cleaned up widescreen presentation that looks great, especially with the filming locations. I was somehwat disappointed in the special features department because Disney is usually so good with their DVD releases. No special features are added here. Don't let that change your mind though, The Great Locomotive Chase is an exciting Civil War adventure that is exciting from beginning to end!
Disney General The Disney theft of the General. This was hard for me to find. We noticed Tom Tichenor (well known in Nashville) standing outside the governor's office.
A Little Bit Independent Long Ago. This movie was based on a true incident during the Civil War. On April 12, 1862, a group of Yankees headed by Andrews, a smooth talker and prevaricator claimed they were on the Southern side. He is the star spy, played by Fess Parker who does all the talking, a popular guy heading the Secret Service for the Northern side. The other "star" was played by Jeffrey Hunter, my J.C. with those blue eyes in 'King of Kings', not so prevalent with his Southern accent. He is the railroad conducter who follows the heisters. John Owens was a young Mark in his glasses; he played Ross ("one was pointing toward us; they all look mighty suspicious.").
They trick the train crew into leaving them outside with the train, The General, which they take over to use to burn bridges along the East/West from Memphis to Huntsville, Alabama line. Knoxville is barely able to defend East Tennessee, Campbell is south of Nashville. They hide in the car #1651 as they navigate toward the Cumberland Mountains in desolute country. The Tennessee River is impassable (that was before TVA dams were built to alleviate this constant deterrent). They dined with a group of Southern sympathizers where they sang "Dixie" and other regional songs and gave the Rebel yell. It was a close call as they took over the General; three engines came after them, led by Fuller the conductor. Engineers don't talk much; all they do is follow orders.
It was a game of keep away. Andrews claimed he was taking ammunition to Chattanooga. "Who do you think you are, own the whole railroad?" At the Johnny Reb campground, someone wondered aloud, "Won't anything stop that train?" They were to be ambushed in a tunnel with a whistle announcing their arrival. They were surrounded by S. Calvary who were on the warpath. The spies were caught and put in prison. "We've all got to go sometime." There was a fierce fight between the prisoners and Andrews was taken prisoners while the rest got away. "I'm sorry I had to deceive you. Don't hold a grudge" as he shook hands will Fuller. The Great Locomotive Chase was over.
A Disney classic! This dvd takes me back to my childhood with other Disney favorites, Davy Crockett, Fantasia, Snow White, etc. Always enjoyable!
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
