Disaster Films About Trains: A Thrilling Ride

Description: Set during WWII, this film involves a French resistance fighter trying to prevent a train full of art treasures from reaching Germany, leading to a thrilling chase and sabotage.

Fact: The film was inspired by real events, and director John Frankenheimer used real trains and actual locations to capture the authenticity of the period.

Description: Although not a natural disaster, this film features a train hijacking in New York City's subway system, creating a tense situation that could lead to a disaster if not resolved in time.

Fact: The film was remade in 2009 with Denzel Washington and John Travolta, but the original is often praised for its gritty realism and the iconic performance by Walter Matthau.

Description: A train carrying passengers is rerouted over a dangerous, collapsing bridge to quarantine a deadly virus outbreak, leading to a suspenseful race for survival.

Fact: The film features an all-star cast including Sophia Loren, Richard Harris, and Ava Gardner, and was one of the first to explore the theme of biological terrorism.

Description: A comedy-thriller where a man's train journey from Los Angeles to Chicago turns into a series of misadventures, including a murder and a runaway train scenario.

Fact: The film was one of the first to combine elements of comedy and action on a train, paving the way for future films like "Unstoppable."

Description: While not directly about a train disaster, the film features a train bridge construction in Africa that becomes a battleground when man-eating lions terrorize the workers, leading to a dramatic climax on the train tracks.

Fact: The film is based on the true story of the Tsavo maneaters, and the bridge in the film is a fictional representation of the actual Tsavo River bridge.

Description: This film captures the essence of a runaway train disaster when a massive freight train, loaded with hazardous chemicals, goes out of control. It's a race against time to stop the train before it causes a catastrophe.

Fact: The film is loosely based on the real-life CSX 8888 incident, where a train ran uncontrolled for over 65 miles. The movie was shot with real trains, not CGI, for authenticity.

Description: While not a disaster film, this Wes Anderson movie features a train journey through India that goes awry in various ways, including a derailment, highlighting the unpredictability of travel.

Fact: The film was shot on the actual Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the train itself is a character in the story.

Description: A commuter's routine train ride turns into a high-stakes game of survival when he's drawn into a criminal conspiracy, leading to a potential disaster on the train.

Fact: Liam Neeson, known for his action roles, brings his signature intensity to this film, which was shot on actual trains to enhance the realism.

Description: This silent film, while not a disaster movie, includes a train robbery scene that ends in a dramatic chase and shootout, showcasing early cinema's fascination with trains.

Fact: It's considered one of the first narrative films, and its final scene, where a character shoots directly at the camera, was groundbreaking for its time.

Description: Two escaped convicts find themselves aboard a runaway train speeding through the Alaskan wilderness, with no way to stop it, leading to a thrilling battle for survival.

Fact: The film was inspired by a 1963 Japanese film called "The Bullet Train." It was also one of the last films to be scored by the legendary composer Jerry Goldsmith.