Rating: 
Summary: Escaping? Why Not Take the Train?
Review: A lot of effort went into this 1965 military war film classic. Now you don't have to wait for the movie on American Movie Classics to see it in wide-screen. The DVD version was released in Summer 2001. Frank Sinatra, playing the part of a downed American pilot, leads hundreds of POWs on a dash for the Swiss frontier in this action packed movie. Most of the action takes place on a hijacked Italian train, formerly commanded by the German military, as it winds its way ever deeper into enemy territory. Trevor Howard and Edward Mulhare (Known best for his roles in American television shows such as The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and Knight Rider)co-star. Also, look for Wolfgang Preis reprising the role of a German officer for the un-teenth time in his long career (The Longest Day, Anzio, Raid on Rommel, A Bridge Too Far, Battle of the Commandos, The Train, Is Paris Burning?, Ike the War Years, etc.). This film has nonstop action, train chases, aerial attacks and scenic Italian locations. If you haven't seen this film in wide-screen, now's your chance.
Rating: 
Summary: It's good. It ain't great...
Review: Come on people. Sinatra essentially mugged for the camera on this one. He'd already morphed into one-take Frank at this point. A great WWII adventure flick? Hardly. "Guns of Navarone" does this particular genre a few better - in cast, performances and storyline. As for Sinatra, the Great Thespian, check out "From Here to Eternity" (another much better WWII flick) or "The Man with the Golden Arm." Those were the days when Frankie was more desperate to prove his talent, not the Smug Walking Bully he gave us in the myriad mediocrities of his later years. Ratta-tatta-tatta-tatta-tat!
Rating: 
Summary: outstanding WWII action film
Review: Easily one of the best action movies I've seen, and it just goes to show you that action movies don't need gratuitous violence to be awesome (it's rated PG). If this had been made today, it would have probably starred Brad Pitt and would have been gruesome just for the sake of being gruesome, but instead it stars Frank Sinatra (?? didn't know he could act well, this was first movie I saw him in) and most violence is implied, making it seem almost more intense. Awesome and highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: outstanding WWII action film
Review: Easily one of the best action movies I've seen, and it just goes to show you that action movies don't need gratuitous violence to be awesome (it's rated PG). If this had been made today, it would have probably starred Brad Pitt and would have been gruesome just for the sake of being gruesome, but instead it stars Frank Sinatra (?? didn't know he could act well, this was first movie I saw him in) and most violence is implied, making it seem almost more intense. Awesome and highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: War Movie Buffs MUST See This!!!
Review: First of all, I'm only 19 years old and part of the new-age technology generation; yet I can't get enough of this movie. Sinatra and his supporting cast are truly unbelievable in this suspense-filled drama about a bunch of POW's trying to run north to escape Italian and Nazi control.
If you haven't seen it on American Movie Classics, then chances are you haven't seen this movie in decades. Since I'm still relatively young, AMC has been the only source for my own personal viewing of Von Ryan's Express...But not anymore. Trust me people, you won't regret this purchase. ...
Rating:
Summary: Sinatra leads POWs in a daring escape by train
Review: Frank Sinatra and Trevor Howard butt heads with each other while taking on the Nazis in this satisfying World War II film. The first part of "Von Ryan's Express" takes place in an Italian Prisoner of War camp in 1943, when the Allies had invaded Southern Italy and Germany was trying to keep Italy in the war. When Colonel Ryan (Sinatra) arrives at the camp he is the senior officer, although he is just a pilot and Major Fincham (Howard) is a career officer. Ryan wants to just wait for the Allies to liberate the camp, while Fincham wants to escape. When Ryan trades the prisoner's escape route for medical supplies, the English prisoners add the "von" to his name. When the Italians abandon the camp, the prisoners escape into the country side only to be captured by the Nazis. They then capture a German train and make a daring and exciting run for the Swiss border and freedom, believing that if only one of them escapes, it is a victory.Not as compelling as "The Great Escape," this is still a very entertaining film. The scene where Ryan forces the Italian commandant (Adolfo Celi) to provide new clothing because the prisoners have all stripped and thrown their rags into a fire is certainly memorable, as is the moment when Ryan guns down the young woman (Raffaella Carra) who has sold them out to the Germans. Sergio Fantoni as the sympathetic Italian Captain Oriani and Edward Mulhare as the German-speaking Chaplain Costanzo have solid supporting roles. Half the movie is taken up by the train chase, which goes through cities being bomb and along treacherous mountain tracks, but the heated exchanges between Ryan and Fincham are at the heart of this film. Sinatra is remarkably comfortable with this role, which is ultimately what makes "Von Ryan's Express" work as much as the train chase.
Rating:
Summary: Sinatra leads POWs in a daring escape by train
Review: Frank Sinatra and Trevor Howard butt heads with each other while taking on the Nazis in this satisfying World War II film. The first part of "Von Ryan's Express" takes place in an Italian Prisoner of War camp in 1943, when the Allies had invaded Southern Italy and Germany was trying to keep Italy in the war. When Colonel Ryan (Sinatra) arrives at the camp he is the senior officer, although he is just a pilot and Major Fincham (Howard) is a career officer. Ryan wants to just wait for the Allies to liberate the camp, while Fincham wants to escape. When Ryan trades the prisoner's escape route for medical supplies, the English prisoners add the "von" to his name. When the Italians abandon the camp, the prisoners escape into the country side only to be captured by the Nazis. They then capture a German train and make a daring and exciting run for the Swiss border and freedom, believing that if only one of them escapes, it is a victory. Not as compelling as "The Great Escape," this is still a very entertaining film. The scene where Ryan forces the Italian commandant (Adolfo Celi) to provide new clothing because the prisoners have all stripped and thrown their rags into a fire is certainly memorable, as is the moment when Ryan guns down the young woman (Raffaella Carra) who has sold them out to the Germans. Sergio Fantoni as the sympathetic Italian Captain Oriani and Edward Mulhare as the German-speaking Chaplain Costanzo have solid supporting roles. Half the movie is taken up by the train chase, which goes through cities being bomb and along treacherous mountain tracks, but the heated exchanges between Ryan and Fincham are at the heart of this film. Sinatra is remarkably comfortable with this role, which is ultimately what makes "Von Ryan's Express" work as much as the train chase.
Rating:
Summary: An interesting look at the escape of an entire war prison
Review: Frank Sinatra is the American who, with two other Americans, an italian guard,an English solider and a priest, plots the escape of an entire prison camp after the Italians break off alliance with Germany during WWII. By train they try to sneak into neutral territory with the help of the Italian soldier who once was in charge of the prison camp. Big highlight is when Sinatra, as spokesperson for the camp, demands better conditions and when he doesn't receive them he orders the prisoners to strip and burn their clothes to which a partially-dressed Edward Mulhare(the priest) comments, " Sir, I take being a member of the cloth, literally."
Rating:
Summary: A Great Timeless Classic
Review: I am 21 years old and have watched this movie since I was 4 years old. Its one of the greatest WWII movies with a great cast and a great story. If you loved The Great Escape, then you will find this as good as that movie was. I never knew Sinatra as a singer till much later in my life, but I knew him as an actor at first. Turned out he was great as an actor and singer.
Rating:
Summary: surprising movie
Review: I saw this when i was very young, I think about 10, on an ad filled 13 inch b & w ( yeah, we did not know about dvd back in the day). it finally came out on dvd, and I got to see it over 2 decades later. I enjoyed it even more! You might think it is one of those dime-a-dozen WW2 escapades that were rampant in the 50-60's. not even close to the truth. Amazing twists and turns, changes of setting and unexpected character flaws, make this a movie to remember. I loved the real use of german language by germans and by the good reverend (hilarious). The action was top notch as well. I can not be sure, but I have to think that this movie influenced raiders of the lost ark. This movie far beats ROTLA, IMHO, but yes, I will get the new boxed set coming out. enjoy!
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