The Titfield Thunderbolt: 60th Anniversary Collectors Edition

Published 26th February 2013

The Story:

Released in 1953, The Titfield Thunderbolt is a fast-paced, quick witted story of a village trying to keep their branch line operating after the government decides to close it. The news comes as a shock to the residents of fictional, rural Titfield as they rely on the railway line to transport their produce to market and commute to work. The villagers decide to run the line themselves under one condition; they prove to the government that they can run the line efficiently and effectively to government code within a month which obviously results in comical consequences for your viewing pleasure.

The villagers are also met with cunning opposition from local bus operators who would like nothing more than to gain a monopoly of the commercial transport business in Titfield. All in all the Titfield Thunderbolt is a heart-warming story about community whose eccentric ensemble of characters still manage to appeal to all audiences 60 years on.

The DVD:

The re-mastered Titfield Thunderbolt is now available on a 60th Anniversary Collectors Edition DVD & Blu-Ray. The feature is accompanied with some fantastic special features resurrected from its first showing in 1953. You can look forward to the Making of Titfield Thunderbolt, a narrative from producer Douglas Slocombe’s on his personal home footage, Lion locomotive feature, locations feature, stills gallery, restoration comparison, and an interview with Douglas on director Charles Crichton.

History:

Produced by Ealing Studios, The Titfield Thunderbolt was the first Ealing comedy shot in Technicolor and one of the first colour comedies made in the UK. The film was written by academy award winner T.E.B. Clarke and directed by Charles Crichton starring Stanley Holloway, George Relph Nauton Wayne and John Gregson.

For the rail enthusiasts:

The film was inspired by the restoration of the narrow gauge Talyllyn Railway in Wales. It was the world's first heritage railway run by volunteers, whose community spirit is captured and celebrated throughout the film.

Thunderbolt, the steam locomotive featured in the film, is actually the repainted antique museum resident of Liverpool and Manchester Railway, named ‘Lion’. Lion was built in 1838, making it 114 years old at the time the film was shot, more impressive is the fact that the locomotive was actually operating under steam in the film.

THE QUIZZ QUESTION

In celebration of the 60th Anniversary celebration we are offering a few lucky rail enthusiast the chance to win the Titfield Thunderbolt Digitally Remastered DVD.

You can enter by answering the following Question:

The Titfield Thunderbolt was filmed on the Limpley Stoke branchline (near Bath) in 1952. What was the name of the film made there in 1931?

Unfortunately the competition is now official closed. The Answer was "The Ghost Train"

Our winners were:

Miguel Pizarro

Kenneth Shipway

John Walters

Timothy Mackay