He_who_lurks I remember when I first saw this short American landmark film I was drawn right in. My eyes were glued to the TV. I wasn't even a little bored. I sat and watched for a full 10 minutes and after the watch I had a feeling of sensation. This movie is chock full of action and violence. There isn't hardly a dull moment, because the action begins right within the first few seconds of the film! Edwin S. Porter sure knew how to draw his viewers in. Probably the best part is the chase scene. And the part where the leader of the gang fires his six-shooter at the camera is all too quick.The film begins in a telegraphist's office, where two of the bandits make him send a telegraph to the conductor to stop the train. Then all 4 bandits sneak aboard and make the engineer disconnect the locomotive from the other cars so the thieves can escape. But, in the end the telegraphist's daughter finds him and unties him. An alarm is given, and the bandits are chased and in the end shot down. Then the part comes where the bandit fires away at the camera to finish the film. I wonder if that was frightening for the audience in 1903? Possibly, but I think enough time had gone by for audiences to know that what they were watching really just an image on a screen.The print I've watched includes hand-coloring in some spots, including the famous image at the end. Mostly, the coloring is used to show explosions of gun smoke, but the dancers in the dance hall have their dresses colored too as well as the banners.On a side note, the famous shot was not always shown at the end of the film. According to what I've read, exhibitors could choose whether to put it at either the beginning or end of the short. As far as I know, it is most common for it to be at the end.

alfCycle This film is very simple and straight forward. By today's standards there is nothing remotely new. However, when looked at in the context of the time it was released, it is easy to see how influential this movie would become. So many future films, particularly westerns, can be traced back to the basic formula of this movie. The final scene of Goodfellas even has an homage to this film. Apparently, audiences at the time jumped out of their seats with fear at the last scene, which I can understand for a person who had never seen a movie in their life. Recommended to anyone interested in the history of film making.7/10...but that's just like, my opinion, man# Of Times Watched: Once

WakenPayne I would say watch this movie with the intention in mind that film had only really existed for about 15 years maximum considering I've seen footage from the 1880's. I will say that back then there was no story to speak of with any movie at the time and I don't think many people saw the potential for what it could do. So this gave birth to film editing. I will say the plot is really nothing special but being that this is the first go at editing in history I thought I should talk about the technical elements. I was impressed by how much this felt like it was The Wild West and I also liked how many people they took in to get this made when at this point, film was just a cheap amusement to the public eye. But there are some weaknesses with it, To say the number of robbers in the robbery is inconsistent is an understatement. First there's 2, then 4, then 3 it's a mess. That and I don't know what the significance of the last shot is. It's one of a guy in a stationary location that has nothing to do with what has been seen looking directly at you and firing a gun. I guess because back then editing was a new concept that they could get some of the cheap amusement side of it that it was at the time at the ending but I don't think it ages well. All in all, I would say watch it if you're a fan of westerns or want to know about film history.

blaineharris37 The Great Train Robbery is an interesting little film made in 1903, who's historical impact on film has transcended time launching an entire gene of films (The Western) The Great Train Robbery is only 10-15minutes long and while by todays standards is a little rushed and lacks Character Development , the film is still a fascinating film to watch possibly because of the huge impact its had and the mentality that was going through my head that this film is over 100 years old . While the films simple plot does hold it back, it is easily forgivable . The Great Train Robbery is a Historical piece of cinema for a reason and is well worth the effort for film buffs and silent movie fans. a decent 5 + Historical impact=6