DVD Review: The Great Train Robbery

The Great Train Robbery (DVD Debut) - “A brilliant drama” (The Sun) - New star-studded miniseries from the acclaimed writer of Broadchurch dramatizes the crime of the century. This two-part miniseries tells the story of the 1963 heist that was the biggest robbery in Britain’s history from the perspectives of both the criminals and the police. Written by Chris Chibnall of Broadchurch, Doctor Who, and Torchwood fame, the BBC film features an outstanding ensemble cast led by Oscar®-winner Jim Broadbent (Iris) and Luke Evans (The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, Fast & Furious 6), as well as James Wilby (Gosford Park), Tim Pigott-Smith (V for Vendetta), Martin Compston (Line of Duty), and Robert Glenister (Law & Order: U.K.) (DVD 2-disc set). 

 My Thoughts

This fast-paced film is based on a real train robbery that happened in England back in 1963. I never read the books, but I thought the movie was fantastic. This mini-series is broken down into two fabulous episodes:

A Robber's Tale-Bruce and his gang are gangsters that break the mold.  Most of this episode is the plotting of the robbery and gives you a chance to get to know all the characters, including their flaws. But the actual end where the heist takes place was a cliffhanger than made me glad I had the second half ready to watch!

A Copper's Tale - This half the of the show is shown from the perspective of the cops, making this a cops and robbers scenario in a very literal sense.  Butler becomes obsessed with the case and this causes conflict with his co-workers. The episode is spent searching for the criminals and ends in the same type of edge of the seat action as the first episode, but leaves you with a resolution that might actually make you feel a little bad for the criminals.

I loved all the action of the Train Robbery, especially knowing that real people experienced all this. The scenery was great and the actors were all outstanding. You couldn't ask for a better cast. You can grab a copy of this awesome movie for yourself on Acorn Media or Amazon.