The film about the occupation of France during World War II that Arturo Pérez-Reverte loves: "A masterpiece."

Arturo Pérez-Reverte ’s passion for classic cinema has brought back a legendary film , this time about the Second World War . The writer from Cartagena has emphatically praised The Train , directed by John Frankenheimer in 1964, calling it a “ masterpiece ” on the social network X. His followers have been quick to discover this film set in the last days of the German occupation of France , where the resistance tries to stop the looting of the national artistic heritage.

The film, starring Burt Lancaster , Paul Scofield and Jeanne Moreau , is set in Paris in September 1944 , as the Nazis prepare to evacuate the capital ahead of the arrival of Allied troops. Art-mad Colonel Franz Von Waldheim (Scofield) decides to transport a convoy full of French masterpieces to Germany. Facing him is Paul Labiche (Lancaster), a railway inspector and member of the resistance , determined to prevent the plunder with ingenuity and courage.

A story of resistance and looted art

The conflict between Labiche and Von Waldheim becomes a metaphor for the value of culture in the face of barbarism . While the Germans regard the paintings as mere trophies, the French defend them as symbols of national identity and dignity . With the support of the railway workers and the French army, Frankenheimer constructs a tense and realistic story , full of sequences filmed with real trains, explosions and authentic railway maneuvers, without resorting to special effects . Burt Lancaster also learned to drive steam locomotives to give greater credibility to his role.

The film was a critical and commercial success , and is now remembered as one of the finest examples of classic war cinema . It earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay , was selected among the ten best films of the year by the National Board of Review, and was also nominated for Best Picture at the BAFTA Awards. Burt Lancaster also received a Golden Laurel nomination for his performance, finishing second, while Maurice Jarre 's music added an epic and emotional dimension to the story.

Where to watch 'The Train'

The film is currently available to stream on Movistar Plus+ and is also available for rent on Amazon Prime Video . Running 133 minutes , The Train combines action, drama, and historical reflection, inviting viewers to reflect on the role of art during conflicts and the sacrifices of those who risked their lives to preserve it.

Pérez-Reverte 's recognition comes as no surprise to those familiar with his admiration for stories that explore everyday heroism and the defense of cultural values . This year, in addition to The Train , the author of The Hussar had also recommended Cruel Sea (1953), another film set during World War II , demonstrating his affinity for films that combine historical accuracy and epic spirit .

Pérez-Reverte only needed two words to describe 'The Train': "masterpiece."

More than six decades after its release, The Train remains a landmark film , a lesson in narrative tension and staging , and a demonstration of how art can endure even in times of war. The Spanish writer 's recommendation has brought renewed visibility to a work that, as he himself has said, deserves to be remembered as a true "masterpiece."