In the shadow of the sixties, war films rose,
With tales of courage, where the hero glows.
The Great Escape held hearts in its grasp,
But action’s thrill lay quiet, clasped in the past.
Then came Von Ryan’s Express, a daring ride,
A train of hope, with danger as its guide.
Frank Sinatra’s Ryan, a leader cold,
Pragmatic, bold, in a story retold.
From skies of Italy, a P-38 fell,
To a POW camp, a fascist’s hell.
Battaglia’s sneer, Fincham’s disdain,
"Von Ryan" they mocked, yet he bore the chain.
Italy crumbled, the Allies drew near,
But the Germans advanced, spreading fear.
A plan was hatched, a train to command,
Through mountains and valleys, to Switzerland.
The tracks roared loud, the engines screamed,
A chase of fire, a desperate dream.
Luftwaffe above, soldiers below,
Ryan’s resolve faced the ultimate foe.
Yet shadows linger where the film falls short,
Characters thin, their stories abort.
Battaglia vanished, von Klemment appeared,
Gabriella’s role left her fate unclear.
Goldsmith’s score, though modern and sleek,
Lacked the motifs that make classics unique.
The camp’s early scenes, a derivative hue,
Echoed Kwai, but failed to break through.
Still, the landscapes dazzled, the action thrilled,
A spectacle of war, its void now filled.
Two hours of escape, a cinematic feat,
For those who sought adventure, a treat.
At the box office, success it found,
Inspiring filmmakers, its legacy bound.
From Robson’s vision to Krvavac’s art,
Its echoes lingered, a beating heart.
Though The Great Escape may claim the crown,
Von Ryan’s Express refuses to drown.
A film of its time, with flaws and flair,
A testament to war, and the courage to dare.
(Note: The review in its original form can be read here.)
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