Rating: 
Summary: Excellent WWII Prison Escape Action Drama
Review: They really don't make 'em like this anymore! Next to "The Great Escape," "Von Ryan's Express" is undoubtedly the best WWII prison escape drama ever made. The suspense is sometimes unbearable and will have the viewer at seat's edge for most of the whole latter half of the film. Sinatra is perfect as Ryan, but Trevor Howard almost steals the show as the British officer you will love to hate. Outstanding supporting performances all the way around! And the direction and editing are nothing short of superb. I can't think of a single minute of film wasted in this outstanding movie. Definately within the top ten of all WWII action dramas.
Rating:
Summary: Best WWII Movie
Review: This film gets my vote for the best WWII movie ever! It's got Trevor Howard as the penultimate crazy British colonel, and our man Frank as the no nonsense American Flying ace. The characters bring out interesting facts about the Italian Cooperation with the Germans (very half-hearted) during wwII and the sense of frustration and uncertainty during the closing days of the war on the part of all the countries involved. This film represents the sense of honor and integrity that were common among soldiers, at that time, and how human beings can have odd interpratations of these noble character traits.
Rating:
Summary: Great WWII Sinatra Movie
Review: This is a great movie full of action, good performances and emotion. Unlike THE GREAT ESCAPE the focus here is more on the events after escaping the prison camp and the dangers the men face the under cover of a train hell bent on freedom for all. It's a movie that you really have to see to feel its power and great emotions that you feel while watching it. There are so many good performances in this film, but it is Sinatra's devotion for the quest of freedom that really struck me. The finale with Trevor Howard's words will stay with you forever.
Rating:
Summary: Top Quality
Review: This is a great WWII movie with a wonderful storyline.
Rating:
Summary: Great POW movie. Made Sinatra an A+ actor in my eyes
Review: This is a wonderful epic on WWII Italy following their surrender and the Nazi occupation of it. The Prisoners led by a salty British major are aided by the addition of a diligent American Colonel played by Sinatra. After a couple of costly mistakes in the begining Colonel Ryan requisitions the name Von Ryan. From here on out the movie picks up after one action packed scheme to escape is hindered and a contingency plan has to be implemented. To fully escape they must be daring and witty...
Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest war movies of all time!!
Review: This is by FAR my favorite Frank Sinatra movie and my SECOND favorite WWII movie ever! (Second in a VERY close contest with Where Eagles Dare.) The plot is just FASCINATING - BASED on a true story (if I remember correctly - sorry if I'm wrong on this). There were SO many spots in this movie where I was literally on the edge of my seat or biting my nails. Frank does a fantastic job! He's SUCH a superb actor! My ONLY 'beef' with this movie is how it ends (although still a overall happy ending, it has a sad turn that I won't spoil for you). If not for the ending, this would be my favorite war movie ever! Still a CLOSE second and a movie that I can watch OVER and OVER again!
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Summary: If there's one Sinatra film you have to see.......
Review: This is the best all time Sinatra film. He's great. A lone American officer stuck in an Italian prisoner of war camp that is primarily British prisoners from the beginning of the war. He finds himself the ranking allied officer. He quickly takes control and changes the situation.....It's a good film. Fun to watch and never a dull moment. Some of the effects are a little lame, but the story is truly great.
Rating: 
Summary: Well Plotted World War II Action Film
Review: This movie has all the elements of a good action movie. The outcome is uncertain. The bad guys are really bad. The hero (Frank Sinatra) is idealistic and optimistic, and suffers from bad-decision angst more than once. The movie starts in an Italian POW camp, commanded by a heartless Italian commander played by Adolfo Celi, who some may remember as Emilio Largo in the James Bond thriller "Thunderball". Colonel Joseph Ryan (Sinatra) is nicknamed "Von Ryan" as he initially appears to be collaborating with their captors. Ryan is very optimistic and continually sees opportunity in every situation. Major Eric Fincham, played by Trevor Howard, is a pessimist, and sees disaster at every turn. Further, these two men are in conflict because Major Fincham was the ranking POW until Frank Sinatra was captured. As the Allies appear to be threatening the region, the Italians guarding the prison leave, and suddenly the POWs have a chance to escape. Their escape is short-lived as they are soon re-captured by Germans. The POWs are placed into boxcars for transport to Germany, with the exception of the wounded, who are executed by German soldiers prior to the train's departure. As the train travels to Germany, Ryan decides that there may be an opportunity for escape. Ryan leads the creation of a plan to eliminate the guards and take over the train, with the goal of eventually leaving the train to head for the coast and potential reunion with Allied forces. After taking over the train, the POWs first attempt to escape is thwarted when they find themselves in the middle of an Allied bombing mission. The POWs then develop an even more creative plan to escape to Switzerland. In their bid to escape the POWs must fight off the Luftwaffe and a Nazi-led troop train following close behind. The end of this movie will keep action war-movie fans on the edge of their seat until the credits roll. There are several events in this movie that give depth to Ryan's character. Several events occur within the prison camp, such as when Ryan leads the men in burning all their clothes in order to get better clothing. Another is when Ryan supercedes Fincham in dealing with the prison commander after departure of the guards. Ryan twice saves people and twice the outcome is tragic. The first time Fincham is extremely critical of Ryan. The second time Fincham is sympathetic, but Ryan is so angry with himself he refuses to listen. Ryan is generally optimistic and idealistic, which has often been a criticism of Americans by Europeans. On the other hand, Fincham is pessimistic and would consider himself to be a realist. These two approaches and views are compared throughout the movie, and ultimately the movie avoids answering the question as to whether one approach is better than the other. As the end of the movie approaches, it is clear that Ryan's faith in his optimism and idealism has been shaken. Similarly, Fincham has come to admire Ryan's optimism and idealism, and knows that the opportunity presented to the POWs was only as a result of Ryan's optimism. Ultimately, the movie suggests that perhaps the middle ground is the best. This movie is one of the better war movies from the 50s and 60s, and along with "The Great Escape", is one of the very best POW prison escape movies. Certainly portions of the movie are unrealistic. However, look past the fictionalized account of the escape, watch the adventure, and observe the conflict of ideologies. An enjoyable to watch and well-done movie.
Rating:
Summary: Suspence and Action
Review: This movie has both. After building the story the action is nonstop. What makes this movie stand out is the suspence. This is one of those movie were everything comes together. The acting is very good and the plot keeps moving. People who have not seen this picture are in for a treat. It is not a Sinatra rat pack movie. Those movie's were entertaning and but tin on plot. I wish there were more extra's. It would be interesting to here some of the stories that went along with making this picture and some deleted scenes would be nice. But the movie is 5 star. Some movie's have the extra's but you have a hard time wathcing the movie more than onc'e. This movie you can watch over again and is a good DVD buy.
Rating: 
Summary: This movie was horrible!
Review: This movie really failed at anything it set out to do. With cheap attempts at humor, like that British officer fainting, and silly attempts at seriousness... like when Sinatra shoots that Italian broad... it leaves the impression of a forgettable movie. Sinatra gives a poor performance at best, and is surrounded by a mediocre ensemble... without a doubt, one of the worst war movies ever.
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