The Titfield Thunderbolt (DVD)

For all lovers of Ealing comedies this film is definitely one NOT to be missed! A great film in the grand traditions of British Comedy, starring Stanley Holloway, John Gregson, Sid James, Hugh Griffith and the locomotive 'Lion' (the Titfield Thunderbolt) built in 1838. Directed by Charles Crichton, the film portrays a lovable group of railway enthusiasts who decide to run the branch line from Titfield to Mallingford themselves, after the decision is made by British Rail to close it down. After a meeting in the local pub, Mr. Valentine (Stanley Holloway) a local business man and heavy drinker, agrees to finance the line purely so that he can have a ...  Read the complete review

Ealing Studios produced many an eccentric film of life in Britain and the Titfield Thunderbolt is one such example. Director Charles Crichton pulls together the formidable cast of such well know names as Sid James, Stanley Holloway, John Gregson and Naunton Wayne to produce a charming tale of life in a tightly knit community in the forties when faced with adversity. With the town of Titfield having lost their regular railway service, the local bus company now had a monopoly. But the townspeople had other ideas and got hold of an old engine and some rolling stock and with the help of the redundant train driver and fireman set about restoring their ...  Read the complete review