Verdict:The First Great Train Robbery is a confirmed HIT based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.
With a rating of 6.7/10, it has delivered a mixed experience for fans of the Thriller, Adventure, Drama, Crime genre.
Answer: Yes, The First Great Train Robbery is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Thriller movies.
It features a runtime of 110 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1978, The First Great Train Robbery emerges as a significant entry in the Thriller, Adventure, Drama, Crime domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of In Victorian England, a master criminal makes elaborate plans to steal a shipment of gold from a moving train. Unlike standard genre fare, The First Great Train Robbery attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and The First Great Train Robbery features a noteworthy lineup led by Sean Connery . Supported by the likes of Donald Sutherland and Lesley-Anne Down , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
In summary, our editorial assessment of The First Great Train Robbery (1978) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.7/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Quick Plot Summary: The First Great Train Robbery is a Thriller, Adventure, Drama, Crime film that builds tension through unpredictable twists and keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Breakdown: The First Great Train Robbery concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to thriller resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
The final moments of The First Great Train Robbery reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The First Great Train Robbery incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a thriller, adventure, drama, crime film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The First Great Train Robbery adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Worth Watching If You:
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $6.0M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The estimated production budget for The First Great Train Robbery is $6.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
MGM Plus Amazon Channel
Apple TV
Amazon VideoApple TVAnalyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.7/10, and global collection metrics, The First Great Train Robbery stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1978 cinematic year.
The First Great Train Robbery has received mixed reviews with a 6.7/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
The First Great Train Robbery is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Thriller, Adventure, Drama movies, but read reviews first.
The First Great Train Robbery is currently available for streaming on MGM Plus Amazon Channel. You can also check for it on platforms like MGM Plus Amazon Channel depending on your region.
_**Robbing a train of a shipment of gold in Victorian England**_ Written/directed by Michael Crichton and released in 1978/79, “The Great Train Robbery” was loosely based on the real-life Great Gold Robbery of 1855 that took place in England. Sean Connery plays the mastermind, Lesley-Anne Down his girlfriend and Donald Sutherland a safecracker with whom they team-up. I generally don’t like caper films because the protagonists are criminals, but Crichton wisely makes the characters played by Connery and Sutherland likable rapscallions; meanwhile Down is babelicious, in particular in her jaw-dropping first scene. Crichton intentionally made the movie more farcical compared to his novel and I appreciated the wit and low-key humor. I didn’t expect to like this movie, but it won me over. The film runs 1 hour, 51 minutes, and was shot primarily in Ireland (Dublin, Bray, Cork & Moate), but also Pinewood Studios, England. GRADE: B-/B
Seen this once before many years ago but decided to check out the new Blu-ray from Kino Lorber. A solid heist-thriller though what struck me was these thieves were stealing gold meant for British soldiers, so not exactly stealing from some corporation, and our lead played by Sean Connery had no issue murdering a guy. Even so, still found it entertaining and some suspense-filled scenes, among them a great sequence with Connery on top of a moving train. **3.75/5**
I think it's Jerry Goldsmith's opening theme that gives a clue that we're in for some fun antics on the railways! That's confirmed when Michael Elphick chucks some would-be robber from the speeding carriage down an embankment where he lands at the feet of "Pierce" (Sean Connery). This bowler hatted gent wouldn't have been out of place in the Reform Club at the start of "Around the World in Eighty Days", so is a natural at another gentleman's club where the manager of a bank is bragging about their impregnable transfer of gold to pay the soldiers of the Crimea. Hardly patriotic, but "Pierce" has his eyes on this bullion and so with the help of girlfriend "Miriam" (Lesley-Anne Down) and cracksman "Agar" (Donald Sutherland) sets about doing the impossible - robbing a ton's worth of gold from a moving train. Each key to the safe is kept separately, so they have to use their guile and wits to find them, copy them, and return them without anyone suspecting! It's this series of escapades that is quite fun to watch whilst shining a light on the double-standards of the Victorian elite. Can they all get away with it? Well this is one of those charismatic ensemble efforts that makes you hope that they do. There's mischief a plenty, some precision thievery and quite impressive acrobatics from the nimble Wayne Sleep along the way too. Hats off to Sutherland though. What was he doing with that cat in the coffin?
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
