The Train (film, 1964)

The Train is a 1964 black-and-white war film directed by John Frankenheimer. Set in August 1944, in the final days of World War II, it follows German Colonel Franz von Waldheim (Paul Scofield), who tries to ship priceless artworks looted from French museums and private collections to Germany by rail. Standing in his way is Paul Labiche (Burt Lancaster), a railway worker and Resistance member, who with his fellow railwaymen risks everything to delay and sabotage the train's journey. The screenplay was inspired by Rose Valland's non-fiction book Le front de l'art, which documented art stolen by Nazi Germany, and by a real wartime incident. Arthur Penn began directing the picture but was replaced by Frankenheimer only days into shooting. Real trains and stations were used for authenticity, and Lancaster performed his own dangerous stunts. Jeanne Moreau and Michel Simon appear in supporting roles. The film earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay in 1966.