Stars: Sophia Loren, Richard Harris, Martin Sheen, Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, O.J. Simpson, Lee Strasberg, Ann Turkel, Ingrid Thulin, Lionel Stander.

Train passengers on the Geneva to Stockholm express find themselves fighting for their lives when a plague-carrying terrorist fleeing a bungled attack on the International Health Organisation is discovered onboard. The task of finding the sick man and containing the disaster falls to fellow passenger and renowned neurosurgeon Johnathon Chamberlain (Harris), but the incident falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Military, namely Colonel Mackenzie (Lancaster), and it’s all downhill from here, so to speak.

The co-operation between the two men soon disolves into conflict when Chamberlain realises Mackenzie intends to reroute the train via the notorious Cassandra Crossing, a run-down railbridge likely to collapse under the stress and plunge all onboard to their deaths.

A cynical motive becomes apparent. The train makes one military-controlled stop to be sealed, preventing escape, and reoxygenated for the last stretch of it’s fateful trip. As infected passengers begin to recover, Chamberlain realises (he does a lot of realising in this film!) that the enriched oxygen kills the bacteria, but how to convince Mackenzie to abort his murderous plan? Passenger mutiny has it’s uses.

This is a solidly performed drama, with an entertaining plot and all-star supporting cast. The mid-movie appearance of what I can only describe as ’stormtrooper rejects’ injects some much needed action sequences, and some audience smirking, there are a few eye-rolling crap acting moments involving lank haired sweaty people, but it exceeded my (not-so-great) expectations.

Thankfully, and also to the film’s credit, the conclusion resists the temptation to melt into gooeyness. The (few) special effects are used to surprisingly good effect at almost 30 years old.

For fans of 70’s style - if it’s not a contradiction in terms - watching this is a must. There are more wide collars, beige outfits, modular chairs and medico-military flashing consoles than you can poke a fondue fork at.

I am convinced the continuity person fell asleep during some of the sequences, as the immaculately presented wife of a wealthy gun-manufacturer played by Ava Gardner ran around the train for a good many scenes with only I hoop earring in evidence. HAVING not so much as broken a nail throughout the whole ordeal, her proximity to the action ain’t a factor, trust me. Was this a 70’s fad that passed me by, or is something amiss? This just adds to the intrigue for me.

Finally - anything with O.J. Simpson masquerading as a priest has gotta be worth a watch!

Presented in 1.85:1 4 x 3 letterbox format I noticed that the colour seems muted - I blame the wardrobe department’s obsession with beige.

THE EXTRAS

None, unless you consider chapter selection an extra.

CONCLUSION

Entertaining 70’s action romp. Film plus sound