Brightlyme i know i wasted 90 mins of my life.

Ava-Grace Willis Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Guillelmina The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Ortiz Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

whhackerdcx The movie was compelling overall. Some parts of it made me bored enough to pause and do something else for a bit, but when I was watching I was engaged. The writing successfully builds a form of tension that doesn't beg the question of "what's gonna happen in half an hour" but rather "what happens next". Not that either system is superior, of course, but I find that action films and history documentaries (of which this film is a hybrid) generally benefit more from the latter system. That said, the movie is certainly not perfect. Fess Parker's character, James J. Andrews, is introduced early on but in such a way that I genuinely asked myself why that interaction was even presented. There was nothing interesting about it, it doesn't help to describe the world the characters are in or the characters themselves, and there was not even the slightest hint that Andrews would be the protagonist. Parker's poor acting efforts at that particular moment didn't help at all, either. Thankfully, Parker's acting vastly improves in the next few minutes of run time, though it quickly takes a nosedive into "talking plank of wood" territory towards the conclusion of the film. Especially that last scene with Andrews and William A. Fuller, the antagonist - a disappointing bore at best. Still, all things considered, this is a well-made movie that manages to keep impressively accurate to history at least as well as I know it.

Wizard-8 "The Great Locomotive Chase" is in several aspects one of the most interesting films the Disney company made during Walt Disney's lifetime. What will strike viewers early on - and throughout - is the fact that the movie, unlike many other Disney films, isn't the least bit juvenile. It seems aimed at an adult audience, such as the fact that the focus is on adult characters, that there is some (mild) cursing, and that the ending of the movie will strike viewers as being somewhat unhappy. But despite these things, I think kids who possess enough patience to wait for the movie to really get going will be as interested in the movie as their parents. The train stuff is very exciting even by today's standards, and more than makes up for the movie taking its time before it gets to that point. Fess Parker makes a good hero, and Jeffrey Hunter proves to be a good adversary. The production values (except for some instances of cheesy rear projection) are also solid. It's a shame that this movie has mostly been forgotten today.

MissSimonetta Though Disney's film The Great Locomotive Chase (1956) is often compared to Buster Keaton's masterpiece The General (1926) due to the two pictures being based on the same historical incident, I think that's unfair. These two films could not be any more different in their approach: The General is an action-adventure/comedy/drama, while TGLC is a straightforward drama with action elements. Sure The General is the better of the two as far as great cinema goes, but the Disney picture should be assessed on its own merits and when you do so, you come to realize it is a minor gem.Performances are good all around and the action elements are well-choreographed and shot on-location on Georgia, where the real hijacking of The General took place. Though the chase is thrilling and the characters are all likable, there is a melancholy tint to the proceedings. The characters want to cut off the war once and for all. The chase itself is told in flashback, giving us knowledge of how wrong everything goes for the heroes beforehand. This somber undercurrent adds a lot to the movie.Worth watching.

John T. Ryan AS WITH ANY Walt Disney Production, we boomers felt that we had an obligation to see it. Just the same responsibility was inherent in an picture that was previewed & promoted on ABC TV's DISNEYLAND Show as was attending Sunday Mass.BUT THEN, ALTHOUGH we are having a little fun in reliving those days, it was in so many ways superior to these days of bizarre change and extreme uncertainty. Sure, we were just kids; but we knew that we were expected to behave and toe the line, or else. Walt Disney entertainments, be they animated, live action or the new area of Theme Parks all showed the way.AS FOR THE story of THE GREAT LOCOMOTIVE CHASE, Mr. Disney turned to American History and our Civil War/War Between the States or whatever name that you prefer. This incident really occurred. It was the story of a plan by raiders of the Union Army to destroy railroad lines and hence disrupt supply lines to the West of the Confederate States. The leader was one James Andrews; who was executed as a Spy by the Southern forces.AS WE HINTED earlier, the story had been adapted to the Silver Screen once before; albeit in a far different genre and mood. It was "the Great Stone Face" of Silent Film iconic Comedian, Buster Keaton who wrote, produced and co-directed THE GENERAL (Buster Keaton Prod./Joseph Schenck Prod./United Artists 1927).ALTHOUGH THERE ARE so many differences between the two (including 30 years of Hollywood), they are both worth watching and re-watching and comparing.WHEREAS BUSTER KEATON chose to do the highly fictionalized story from the point of view of the Southern cause and the heroic actions of the railroad engineer who pursued the Yankee Train-nappers, the Disney production played it both close to Historical Fact and from the side of the Union loyalists.ONE POINT THAT we must make for the Keaton version (outside of his dry, dead-pan humor) is the spectacular battle scenes that are committed to film and the outstanding use of the Steam Engines; including what was surely a very Expen$I've scene that sacrifices an iron horse attempting to cross a burning bridge, only to fall into the river below.BUT WE DIGRESS, for our subject is the 1956 production. We do believe and heartily endorse this historical saga. We would all do well to view THE GREAT LOCOMOTIVE CHASE again and to encourage the young school kids to do the same.IT MAY WELL serve to whet their young appetites for American History; being a subject that is extremely under-taught these days. Isn't that right, Schultz?