SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

One of my all time favorites.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Considered to be the first western motion picture and the first film to have a cohesive plot, Porter's silent short film has influenced many other similar films. Introducing a horseback chase scene, an environmental shootout and the inevitable stealing of a locomotive. It's not the content that has stood the test of time, but rather Porter's pioneering directing techniques. A group of bandits steal some valuables and make haste by taking control of a locomotive, where the locals are in hot pursuit. The beauty of this narrative is its composite structure, where two stories run concurrently together. In this instance, the fleeing bandits and the local community chasing after them. One of the earliest forms of cross cutting was used for this motion picture, which back in 1903 was rather unconventional. Porter's work may lack the imagination and showmanship of a Méliès production, however he makes up for it with competent techniques that add finesse. Substituting a staged production for on-location shooting, the town and its community enhances the authenticity and natural environment of this film. A refreshing change from most silent films of that era, that in hindsight certainly kept production costs down. The plot is clean with clear structure and hosts an infamous final shot of an outlaw firing blanks at the camera. The acting, whilst not entirely expressive, was functional although difficult to differentiate the characters due to them wearing similar attire. The pace, considering the runtime is 12 minutes long, somehow dips during certain scenes. The dance scene acting as comic relief felt unnecessary given the film's darker tone. These frames could've been used to heighten the action and thrills somewhere else. As a silent film venturing into a new genre, it works well. It has not aged as well as other recovered films of that era, but still a pleasant watch that showcases technical astuteness from Porter.

After films like "A Trip to the Moon", it was discovered that the new artistic medium of film could tell stories. By the time "The Great Train Robbery" was released, cinema was changed forever.The final shot has always been considered one of the most memorable shots in cinema history. In it, a cowboy is looking straight into the camera, holding a gun. Then, all of a sudden, he shoots right at the screen and the film ends. It's fun to note that this shot was payed tribute to in the acclaimed crime film "Goodfellas"."The Great Train Robbery" is, without a doubt, one of the earliest crime films and one of the first films with a regular narrative.For 1903, it is really thrilling and well made. It's full of action, adventure, and inventive/influential filmmaking, there were very few films like it at the time!

Whenever I'm feeling ambitious - or find time in my often hectic schedule - I try to take it slow and discover old relics from the early days of cinema, finding shorts via Youtube, Vimeo, or Europa Treasures from as early as the 1890's. Many people don't know this, but cinema has been around since the late 1800's, beginning as a medium for illusionists to toy with the idea of reality before evolving into a method of brilliant storytelling and craft. When it began, all its pioneers, with the inimitable Georges Méliès, Robert W. Paul, or, in this case, Edwin S. Porter, nearly every technique was a subversive one and each director played with an uncertain time frame anywhere between under a minute to maybe fifteen minutes to see what they could conjure up.One of these relics is the original "Great Train Robbery," filmed in 1903 and still bearing prints online that look as good as new. The film opens with two bandits (Broncho Billy Anderson and Justus D. Barnes) who break into a railroad office, stopping the train boss/operator by holding him up, and giving the train conductor orders to fill the train up at the water tank. When the train stops, the two men get on, and proceed to hold up the train in what becomes a surprisingly entertaining and joyous ride through early cinema.The bulk of these shorts are hit and miss, and I find myself relishing the thought of these films continuing to live on in present day 2014 rather than appreciating their stories or their acting. "The Great Train Robbery," however, is one of the first films I can remember having a coherent storyline, as well as boasting brilliantly original and pioneering styles such as actor Justus D. Barnes looking directly at the camera while firing his weapon, as well as boasting several different scenes and shots edited together into one project, as opposed to just one static shot. The film was directed by Edwin S. Porter, who made several other cute, off-the-wall shorts between the late 1800's and 1915. Porter famously never toyed with a style after he had utilized it to what he deemed a satisfactory level. Like a unique and audacious songwriter, he believed using and perfecting something once was key and allowed the style to be used by whoever felt inclined after he had done so. "The Great Train Robbery" showed the earliest uses of cross-cutting as well as first accounts of things like tricky camera movement and on-location shooting (thanks to the legendary Edison Manufacturing Company). Records and historical accounts also state that he was an extremely modest and quiet figure, more concerned with machines and film equipment than he ever was people.With this and more, "The Great Train Robbery" bears a history all its own that would later become shared by many that should be celebrated and be mandatory viewing if you, you know, watch movies nowadays and all.Starring: Broncho Billy Anderson, Justus D. Barnes, Alfred C. Abadie, and Walter Cameron. Directed by: Edwin S. Porter.

This is a fun, silent film. I feel it is a very complete and compelling story of its time which brings to life the concept of train robbers & legions of the time. As far as the technical side of things, I really enjoyed the use of camera-work. The use of the different camera angles and locations of the film really makes it interesting. I also enjoyed the use of additive coloring. I did feel that it was a tad slow for my taste but I shouldn't be too critical because it came in out 1903. For silent films that I've seen, I felt The General & Nosferatu are a little smoother but considering that those both came out 20 plus years later that would be an unfair judgment. All in all, though it is a good film and I give it a 6 out of 10.