As THE TITFIELD THUNDERBOLT started, I was surprised to see that it was in colour - a first for the Ealing studio. It soon becomes apparent that story-wise this is very similar to the likes of PASSPORT TO PIMLICO, in showing the efforts of a small community in coming together and fighting back against government bureaucracy. The different is that the city confines of PIMLICO are swapped for something altogether more bucolic.
The story - about the privatisation of a railway line - is slight stuff and really an excuse for lots of larking about with trains, steam engines, buses, and the like. It's a little like THE RAILWAY CHILDREN in that respect. As is usual for an Ealing film, the cast is packed with celebrated character actors including the likes of Sid James, Naunton Wayne, Stanley Holloway, and a youthful Hugh Griffith. The humour is full of warmth and flows naturally, and the wit is evident in the sheer level of care taken with both script and production.
The story - about the privatisation of a railway line - is slight stuff and really an excuse for lots of larking about with trains, steam engines, buses, and the like. It's a little like THE RAILWAY CHILDREN in that respect. As is usual for an Ealing film, the cast is packed with celebrated character actors including the likes of Sid James, Naunton Wayne, Stanley Holloway, and a youthful Hugh Griffith. The humour is full of warmth and flows naturally, and the wit is evident in the sheer level of care taken with both script and production.