GB / AUS / GER
2001
2hrs 01mins
Dir: Gillian Armstrong
Starring: Cate Blanchett and Michael Gambon
A woman is recruited as a spy and is sent to France to join up with the Resistance movement
Adapted from the novel of the same name by Sebastian Faulks, this wartime drama is set in Vichy, France, during World War II but, despite this, all the trains featured depict post-war traction and BR liveries. The opening shots show ex-LNER K1 Class 2-6-0 No.62005 on a train of six maroon-liveried Mk1’s on the West Highland Line, including a shot of it crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct. The scenes onboard the train, however, could well be an elaborate stage set. These West Highland scenes are followed by a train arriving at Sheffield Park station on the Bluebell Railway behind BR Standard Class 5MT 4-6-0 No.73082 Camelot. Although the smokebox numberplate and the nameplate remain, the cabside number and BR crest on the tender have been painted over in an unusual attempt at hiding their origin. Just visible on the adjacent track as the train arrives is Class 4MT 4-6-0 No.75027, but blink and you will miss it! The Bluebell was then used for one of the biggest scenes in the film, the blowing up of an ammunition train. BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 No.92240 was used on a train complete with wagons carrying armoured vehicles. The explosion, which demolished a couple of balsa wood vans built by the special effects crew, was filmed between Caseford Bridge and Three Arch Bridge, but the aftermath scenes were filmed at Longcross Studios using various mock-ups.
