The 1960s were marked by a surge of World War II films, with The Great Escape emerging as one of the most celebrated and iconic entries in this genre. However, while it captivated audiences with its narrative and themes of camaraderie and resilience, it notably lacked the action elements—such as gunfights, explosions, and a semblance of a happy ending—that were increasingly expected from war films of that era. In this context, Von Ryan’s Express, directed by Mark Robson in 1965, can be seen as an ambitious attempt to rectify these perceived shortcomings.
Von Ryan’s Express is based on the 1964 novel by David Westheimer, which draws heavily from the author’s own experiences as a navigator in the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) during World War II. Those included being shot down over Italy and spending the rest of the conflict as a prisoner of war (POW).
The film opens in August 1943 when Colonel Joseph L. Ryan, portrayed by Frank Sinatra, is shot down while piloting a P-38 fighter-bomber over Italy. Captured by Italian soldiers, he is taken to a POW camp run by the Major Battaglia (played by Adolfo Celi), sadistic fascist. As the highest-ranking Allied officer among the prisoners, Ryan is thrust into a position of leadership, which creates friction with British Army Major Fincham (played by Trevor Howard). While Fincham advocates for escape and resistance against their captors, Ryan adopts a pragmatic approach, believing that Italy is on the verge of collapse due to Allied advances and that prisoners don’t need to rock the boat. This conflict leads to Ryan being derisively nicknamed "von Ryan" by his British counterparts.
As events unfold, Italy capitulates to Allies in September 1943, but this victory is short-lived as German forces quickly occupy much of the country. With the help of Captain Oriani (played by Sergio Fantoni), who was once Battaglia's second-in-command but now finds himself a captive, Ryan devises a plan to hijack a train intended for transporting them to Germany. This daring escape sets off a thrilling journey as they attempt to find their way to neutral Switzerland.
When comparing Von Ryan’s Express with The Great Escape, it becomes evident that Robson's film had a larger budget but lacked its predecessor's star power. However, it compensates for this with enhanced action sequences and pyrotechnics. Robson effectively utilises his resources to create an engaging spectacle, particularly during the climactic train chase that culminates in an intense showdown where Ryan must confront both German soldiers on foot and Luftwaffe fighter-bombers from above.
Despite its merits as an action-oriented war film, Von Ryan’s Express often feels overshadowed by The Great Escape. One notable weakness lies in character development; many supporting roles are not fleshed out sufficiently. The performances of seasoned actors like Trevor Howard and Edward Mulhare—who plays military chaplain Captain Costanzo—often eclipse Sinatra's bland portrayal of Ryan. Additionally, character played by Adolfo Celi, an actor famous for playing formidable villains like Emilio Largo in Thunderball and James Brooke in Sandokan, disappears halfway through the film.
The absence of Major Battaglia is somewhat mitigated by the introduction of German Major von Klemment (played by Wolfgang Preiss), who becomes a prisoner during the train hijacking. His character is paired with an Italian mistress named Gabriella (played by Raffaella Carrà), yet her role, introduced only to serve as obligatory female character and eye candy, is poorly developed. Producers don’t know what to do with her and simply discard her in most banal way possible.
The film's soundtrack was composed by Jerry Goldsmith, whose modern-sounding score serves its purpose but does not reach the iconic status associated with his later works. While it enhances certain scenes, it lacks the memorable motifs that would define Goldsmith's legendary career in film music.
The initial segments set within the POW camp evoke comparisons to more critically acclaimed films such as The Bridge on the River Kwai. Unfortunately, these early scenes come across as derivative rather than innovative. The film struggles to establish its identity amidst echoes of superior predecessors.
Despite these criticisms, Von Ryan’s Express does possess several redeeming qualities. Its two-hour runtime makes it relatively easy to digest for audiences seeking entertainment without excessive commitment. The picturesque Italian and Spanish landscapes provide an appealing backdrop for the action sequences, which are executed with flair. Fans of the action genre are likely to find satisfaction in its thrilling escapades.
Ultimately, Von Ryan’s Express proved successful at the box office and left a lasting impact on future filmmakers. Notably, Bosnian director Hajrudin Krvavac drew inspiration from Robson’s film for his 1972 work Walter Defends Sarajevo, which became the biggest hit of Yugoslav Partisan genre and paid homage to Von Ryan’s Express in its spectacular finale.
While Von Ryan’s Express may not achieve the same legendary status as The Great Escape, it stands as an engaging war action film that sought to cater to contemporary expectations for excitement and adventure.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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