Rating: 
Summary: One of the best war movies made
Review: If you liked the Civil War story of the stolen train in which Anderson stole the train the General Laregest mass awards of the Congressional Medal of Honor in the histroy of the USA) and ran it through Confederate territory being pursued by the dedicated Mr Fuller, then you will think this is wonderful...A British regiment is in an Italian concentration camp when an American Piolot (Frank Sinatra) arrives...he is the senior officer but the tradition of a fusilier regiment vs an American flying jock who thinks the war is just about over provides a good basis for character development amongst the allies...when the italians surrender the prisioners are to be moved north to Germany...however if all had gone according to plan there would have been no need for a movie...a must see...must own
Rating: 
Summary: Surprisingly good
Review: My apologies in advance to the legion of fans out there, but somehow the idea of a "good" Frank Sinatra film seems oxymoronic. But this is a fine film, with Sinatra believable as the American martinet, and a simply outstanding supporting cast. I must single out for special mention the wonderful performance by Edward Mulhare, a much underrated actor, who rarely had the opportunity to show what he could do. His performance as Father Costanza is a gem, and one of the elements that makes this movie really work (and his German is excellent!).
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly good
Review: My apologies in advance to the legion of fans out there, but somehow the idea of a "good" Frank Sinatra film seems oxymoronic. But this is a fine film, with Sinatra believable as the American martinet, and a simply outstanding supporting cast. I must single out for special mention the wonderful performance by Edward Mulhare, a much underrated actor, who rarely had the opportunity to show what he could do. His performance as Father Costanza is a gem, and one of the elements that makes this movie really work (and his German is excellent!).
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly good
Review: My apologies in advance to the legion of fans out there, but somehow the idea of a "good" Frank Sinatra film seems oxymoronic. But this is a fine film, with Sinatra believable as the American martinet, and a simply outstanding supporting cast. I must single out for special mention the wonderful performance by Edward Mulhare, a much underrated actor, who rarely had the opportunity to show what he could do. His performance as Father Costanza is a gem, and one of the elements that makes this movie really work (and his German is excellent!).
Rating:
Summary: Solid World War II action...
Review: One of the best World War II action-adventure movies, Von Ryan's Express, is an exciting and suspense filled ride. The movie follows the exploits of a group of Allied prisoners, liberated from an Italian POW camp, in their bid for freedom on a hijacked troop train.Frank Sinatra is Colonel Joseph Ryan, a pilot shot down over Italy in 1943, shortly before the fall of the country to the Allies. Captured, he is placed in an Italian POW camp, where the Allied commanding officer has just died as a result of punishment inflicted by the camp's Commander (Aldolfo Celi). As the highest ranking Allied officer, Ryan assumes command, much to the consternation of the ranking British officer (Trevor Howard). Because Italy's collapse appears imminent, Ryan seeks to immediately improve the conditions for the men in camp, at the expense of preparations for escape. For this perceived collaboration, he is christened "Von Ryan" by his own side. When Italy falls, the prisoners find themselves unguarded as their Italian captors have disappeared. The group ventures out into the countryside, but is soon recaptured, this time by Nazi forces, who ruthlessly execute the wounded prisoners. The remaining men are put aboard a troop train for transport to a German run POW camp. Led by Ryan, the Allied forces commandeer the train in a violent take over. As the train proceeds north towards the Fatherland, the only Nazi left alive is Major Von Klemment (Wolfgang Preiss). His lovely mistress, Gabriella (Rafella Cara) is also aboard. The German language skills of the camp's chaplain (Edward Mulhare), are put to good use as he impersonates a Nazi officer allowing the train to continue on its escape route. During a train stop, Von Klemment and Gabriella escape from the train, and Ryan winds up killing them both. Was it really necessary that the "innocent" Gabriella die, shot in the back? The need to prevent her from telling the authorities about the escape was paramount, but running in a tight skirt, she could have been easily caught by Ryan had he just given chase, instead of exercising his itchy trigger finger. Her death stains him further, and seems to serve as justification for his own fate. After this pivotal incident, the remainder of the movie is a race through the mountains to the Swiss border. With the Allies beating back the pursuing Germans all along the way. In the end you find yourself pulling hard for "Von Ryan", but it is just not to be. While the movie is very entertaining, it has been criticized for being totally unrealistic. Real POW's have stated that they were much too weak and malnourished to engage in any activity even approaching what is shown in the movie. Even viewed as pure fiction, this film is still very enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent WWII film.
Review: One of the best WWII films ever made.It is up there with other WWII films like The Great Escape. The Dirty Dozen , Kelly's Heroes, and Where Eagles Dare. Amust see classic.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Novel Turns into Mediocre Movie
Review: One of the first books that I read as a teenager (that wasn't off the juvenile shelves) was "Von Ryan's Express" by David Westheimer. It was a best seller at the time and I soon discovered why. The key to the book was the extensive middle where the Allied prisoners take over a transport train one car at a time. It was a very suspenseful and engrossing story of one-on-one, hand to hand combat with everything at stake. Each of something like 22 cars is depicted with a writer's skill. When the movie came out, I went to see it with a friend. As the first railroad car was taken, I leaned over to him and said, "This is where it really gets exciting". Low and behold, after taking two or three cars, the prisoners jump all the guards at the next stop. So much for my expectations.
The thing is, this probably is a pretty good movie. I note the high ratings others have given it so I don't want to be overly negative. It's more of a walk down memory lane that prompted me to write this review. This was the movie that taught me what many others have said: With few exceptions, the book is always significantly better than the movie. If you like this movie, read the book.
Rating:
Summary: Sinatra and Howard are Wonderful!
Review: One often forgets that Frank Sinatra, besides being one of the last century's (Yeah, it is!) vocal talents, was one heckuva an actor. "Von Ryan's Express" is a great World War II yarn with a "Great Escape"-type storyline and vivid performances from the main stars and the supporting players. Of course, the Nazi villains are rather stereotypically rotten, but that just adds to the "fun" as Sinatra and company outwit them. The end scene still brings a tear to this reviewer's eyes.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Superb
Review: Simply put the best movie I have ever had the pleasure of watching. Frank Sinatura, I must say, was an unbelievably good actor. Although often known only for his singing talent, he proves his amazing talent for acting in this movie. I have seen plenty of action movies throughout the years, however this movie is without a doubt my favorite. I recommend it to any person, whether young or old, with the hopes that you enjoy it as much as i did!
Rating:
Summary: In the same league as the great escape.
Review: There are two great 'behind enemy lines pow escape' movies and the great escape is one and so is this. I don't like Sinatra's music but his ww2 movies were really good.
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