Good movie but grossly overrated

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

I was 6 years old when I first saw this TV movie. Though I was very young, I always liked trains. Being a railroad worker always have it advantages. But when tragedy strikes, most people have a tough time getting over it. So when a disgruntled employee (Paul L. Smith) decided to take action against the company, he would set up the two trains to meet head on. Since everything was running by computer, it took ingenuity of the employees to help stop the disaster from happening. Also the passenger (William Shatner) who happened to be a con man. His heroic efforts did make some effort to the situation. Even though this was a TV, it was loaded with big name stars. This movie has lead to another train disaster movie in 1985 called "Runaway Train". But it's a whole different scenario. 2 out of 5 stars.

Ah, you have to love the 70s. Time of the made for TV movies.This train tale of terror includes a lot of separate scenes cut together to appear like some semblance of an actual movie. Scenes range from railroad track construction, several train car interiors, and my favorite: the people gathering to protest. Why or what they are protesting is not really explained but you have to love the shoddy signs and workmanship.The acting does its best to keep the movie bustling along the tracks. Lloyd Bridges is angry, annoyed and tries to take control pretty much in every scene he is in. I knew I recognized E.G. Marshall from somewhere but didn't recognize him without cockroaches crawling all over as from his performance in the classic Creepshow. E.G. and Lloyd butting heads trying to find a solution provide some highlights.Bill Shatner saves this from being a true disaster. I can never get enough seeing Bill smoke cigarettes, do his mack daddy Kirk routine, and eluding the authorities all at once. He pretty much stands out whenever on screen and the epic finale makes this worth the ride.Take the ticket for this 70s version of Speed on trains..except it's better.

Taut, tense telemovie concerning a grieving widow and father (Paul Smith) whose family was killed in a railways accident the cause of which he attributes to gross negligence, but which he alleges has been covered up. To make his point, he hijacks a commuter train and sets it on a collision course with a train carrying the mayor's wife. Told from myriad vantage points, various characters come into focus as heroes and villains emerge amid the ensuing chaos.Key perspectives include the distrusting relationship between special agent Bridges and wily schedule controller Marshall, whilst on board the potential train-wreck, affable con artist Shatner woos the affections of scorned Mimieux, her philandering husband (Fuller) in turn, up to no good on the opposing train. Raymond Burr appears later in the film as the newly appointed railways director, with a sympathetic ear for Smith's allegations, causing feathers to fly in his corrupt coop.Solid cast, full of familiar faces (Peter MacLean, Harry Caesar, Lane Smith, Rockne Tarkington, Michael Pataki just to name a few) complements the taut action sequences with remarkable depth and quality for a telemovie. Peripheral characters are given multiple opportunities to establish persona's, and the skills of director Sarafian (an experienced feature film director) is evident in adding this dimension.Elements of distinction include the intelligent dialogue peppered with wry humour, impressive action sequences and stunt-work, and most importantly, an engaging narrative that builds to a satisfying climax. Even the music, and its pulsating high octane rhythm is fitting. But overall it's Sarafian's fluent narrative, and attention to character depth that elevate this movie beyond formula disaster fodder. Riveting stuff and very entertaining.

Yeah, the air hoses had busted open when the engine uncoupled from the cars, so the train line brakes were useless. However, the hijacker didn't know enough to reach for the smaller engine brake handle above the train line brake? That would have stopped the engine; as well as the emergency fuel kill switch on the rear panel which is clearly visible numerous times. Should have done his homework before hijacking a train. Also, If you take a train traveling at 120 mile per hour, and send it sailing over a newly-welded, 30 yard crossover, guess what...it's not going to make it! Regardless, the movie was enjoyable -good story, good acting, and good use of trains! Oh, and who are they fooling with "Trans Allied?" It was Amtrak!