Top 10 Train Biopic Films

Description: This silent epic film dramatizes the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad in the United States, focusing on the life of a surveyor and his role in the project.

Fact: It was one of the first films to use a large number of extras, with over 3,000 people involved in the production. The film was shot in Nevada, where much of the actual railroad was built.

Description: This classic Hitchcock thriller involves a train journey through Europe where a passenger mysteriously disappears, exploring themes of identity and espionage.

Fact: The film was remade in 1979, but the original remains a masterpiece of suspense. It was shot on a studio set, with the train interior meticulously recreated.

Description: Set during WWII, this film follows a French Resistance leader who must stop a train carrying priceless artworks from being taken to Germany.

Fact: The film used real steam locomotives and was shot on location in France. Burt Lancaster performed many of his own stunts, including a scene where he jumps from a moving train.

Description: This beloved British film, based on E. Nesbit's novel, follows the adventures of three children whose father is falsely imprisoned, and their life near a railway station.

Fact: The film was shot at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in Yorkshire, which has since become a popular tourist attraction due to its association with the movie.

Description: This film, while fictional, captures the essence of the New York City subway system and the lives of those who work there, including a hijacking plot that showcases the subway's vulnerability.

Fact: The film was shot on location in New York City, using real subway trains. It has inspired several remakes and adaptations, including a 2009 version with Denzel Washington and John Travolta.

Description: While not strictly a biopic, this film is based on the real-life Great Train Robbery of 1963, focusing on the meticulous planning and execution of one of Britain's most infamous heists.

Fact: The film's director, Michael Crichton, also wrote the novel on which the movie is based. Sean Connery, who plays the lead, was chosen for his charm and ability to portray a charismatic criminal.

Description: Although primarily about man-eating lions, the film is set during the construction of the Kenya-Uganda Railway, highlighting the challenges faced by the workers.

Fact: The lions in the film were real, trained animals, and the movie was shot on location in South Africa. Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas star as the hunters tasked with stopping the lions.

Description: While not a traditional biopic, this Wes Anderson film captures the essence of train travel in India, focusing on three brothers on a journey of self-discovery.

Fact: The film was shot on the actual Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The train used in the film is known as the "Toy Train."

Description: This film tells the true story of Eric Lomax, a British Army officer who was captured by the Japanese during WWII and forced to work on the Burma-Siam Railway. His journey of healing and reconciliation is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.

Fact: Colin Firth, who plays Lomax, learned to play the violin for the role. The film was shot in several locations, including Thailand, where the real events took place.

Description: Set during the Spanish Civil War, this film follows passengers on a train trying to escape the conflict, offering a glimpse into the lives of those caught in the turmoil.

Fact: The film was one of the first to depict the Spanish Civil War on screen, providing a contemporary view of the conflict.