Railway stations have often served as critical junctions in wartime narratives, providing a backdrop for tales of espionage, escape, and human drama. This curated list of 10 films delves into the world of wartime railway stations, showcasing their strategic importance and the emotional stories that unfold within their walls. From historical dramas to suspenseful thrillers, these films offer a unique perspective on the impact of war on everyday life.

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
Description: Although primarily about the construction of a bridge, the film features significant scenes at railway stations, showcasing the strategic importance of rail lines during WWII.
Fact: The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and is often cited for its realistic portrayal of POW life.


The Guns of Navarone (1961)
Description: While the focus is on a mission to destroy a German fortress, the film includes scenes where the team uses railway stations for covert operations.
Fact: The film was one of the first to use extensive location shooting in Greece, providing an authentic backdrop for the story.


The Longest Day (1962)
Description: This epic war film about D-Day includes several scenes where railway stations are used for troop movements and strategic planning.
Fact: The film was shot in black and white to give it a documentary feel, and it features an international cast.


The Great Escape (1963)
Description: While not exclusively about railway stations, the film includes a memorable scene where prisoners escape through a tunnel and scatter at a railway station, highlighting its importance in their escape strategy.
Fact: The film was based on a true story of a mass escape from Stalag Luft III, though many details were fictionalized for dramatic effect.


The Train (1964)
Description: This classic film follows a French Resistance leader who must prevent a train full of priceless art from reaching Germany during WWII. The railway station becomes a focal point for the intense cat-and-mouse game between the Resistance and the Nazis.
Fact: The film was based on real events, and many scenes were shot on location at actual railway stations in France.


Von Ryan's Express (1965)
Description: Set during WWII, this film tells the story of American POWs who hijack a train to escape from Italy. The railway station plays a crucial role in their daring escape plan.
Fact: The film's climax features a real train crash, which was one of the most expensive scenes ever filmed at the time.


The Eagle Has Landed (1976)
Description: This WWII thriller involves a German plot to kidnap Winston Churchill, with a key scene set at a railway station where the plot begins to unravel.
Fact: The film features a diverse cast including Michael Caine, Donald Sutherland, and Robert Duvall.


The Railway Man (2013)
Description: This biographical drama focuses on a former British POW who returns to the site of his torture, a railway station in Thailand, to confront his past.
Fact: The film is based on the memoir of Eric Lomax, who was a prisoner of war during the construction of the Burma Railway.


The Train of Salt and Sugar (2016)
Description: Set during the Mozambican Civil War, this film follows a train journey through war-torn landscapes, with railway stations as pivotal points of human interaction and conflict.
Fact: The film was Mozambique's submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards.


The Battle of the Rails (1946)
Description: This French film depicts the sabotage of railway lines by the French Resistance during WWII, with railway stations serving as critical points of action.
Fact: The film was made shortly after the war, providing a raw and immediate portrayal of the events.
