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Flying Scotsman, The (DVD)

5/10

Stars: Moore Marriott, Pauline Johnson, Ray Milland, Alec Hurley

Director: Castleton Knight

Creaky old early sound film. with Marriott (later famous as the old codger in the Will Hay comedies) as a train driver on his last run, and a young Ray (billed as Raymond) Milland) as the assistant driver/fireman who, unknown to Marriott, is in love with his daughter (Johnson). And there's also a vengeful saboteur (Hurley) on board...

Silent for much of its running time, the film bursts into sound just over half-way through, which coincides with the best part of the picture, with the stars doing much of their own stuntwork aboard a now runaway train. Those with staying power will find this section easily the most rewarding. The film was made in 1929, but this newly-restored version bears a 1930 copyright.

David Quinlan

UK 1930. UK Distributor: Optimum. Black and white.
60 minutes. Not widescreen. UK certificate: U.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 0, Violence/Horror 0, Drugs 0, Swearing 0.

Review date: 15 Feb 2011