“The Great Train Robbery” is a short silent film released in 1903, directed by Edwin S. Porter. It is widely considered to be one of the first narrative films ever made and is credited with popularizing the Western genre.
The film tells the story of a group of bandits who plan and execute a train robbery. The first scene shows the bandits gathering together and plotting their heist. They then board the train and hold up the passengers and the train employees at gunpoint.
The bandits then proceed to rob the passengers and the train’s mail car, taking all of the valuables they can find. After the robbery is complete, the bandits escape on horseback with the loot.
The remainder of the film follows the pursuit of the bandits by a group of lawmen. The lawmen eventually catch up to the bandits and engage in a shootout, resulting in the death of several of the bandits.
The film ends with the remaining bandits being captured and brought to justice, and the stolen loot being returned to its rightful owners.
“The Great Train Robbery” is notable for its innovative use of editing and camera techniques, including cross-cutting between different scenes and the use of close-ups. It is considered a landmark film in the history of cinema and has had a significant influence on the development of the Western genre.
Directors:
Edwin S. Porter
Writer:
Scott Marble, Edwin S. Porter
Stars:
Gilbert M. ‘Broncho Billy’ Anderson, A.C. Abadie, George Barnes
