The Railway Man

[prettyxcool]

Vue Islington was very organised tonight. Let in at 6pm and started prompt at 6.30pm. Screen 5, a small screening room was packed.

A rather slow film, but nevertheless still engaging. Very moving and interesting story about reconciliation and forgiveness. I knew the story of the POWs and the railway at River Kwai, and there is a commemorative plague near where I live to remember the thousands who had died, but this is the story from someone who lived through it, and not really coping at all with life after the war, and wanting to confront his torturer.

Colin Firth was brilliant, and so was Jeremy Irvine (how he has grown and matured since the War Horse and Now is Good). Good support from Nicole Kidman, and Hiroyuki Sanada, Lomax's adult nemesis. Some scenes are very distressing. I liked seeing the photos of the real Lomax and Negase at the end, and what happened to them, very touching.

8/10

[stuartboy]

What a great film! totally engrossing and a definite will he - won't he climax. Great period shots. Some confusion with the settings though. Recognised Edinburgh's Waverley station as well as a seaside town - Cockenzie and Port Seton - nearby to Edinburgh and he was from here, but it seems he must have settled in Berwick-upon-Tweed hence the frequent views of the viaduct.
Actually took a while to realise that Jeremy Irvine was not in fact Colin Firth make up to look younger, such was his accurate portayal of the oilder actors's mannerisms and voice.

Edinburgh tonight was a farce. I arrived at 5.55pm (yes - unusual for me to be so early, but as I was escorting my DM - Darling Mum! - I felt it prudent not to risk non-admittance) only to join a long queue outside the screening room. We then watched a huge long procession of people exiting the bar area and go into our room before any Times people were let in. By this time seats were far and few between. I did then slip out to the toilet at 6.15 only to see at leats 20 or so people remonstrating with the Times lad. What a fiasco!

Anyhoo - marks of of 10?

9!

[stuartboy]

Stuartboy, you were the last one in the cinema, don't know if someone had kept you a seat or if you were just lucky. not in my usual seat at all, (did not like it at all) but glad to get in!!

Cheek! Haha. I'd been in for ages and that was just me returning to my seat from the toilet. Normally you would have been right though. I'm usually at the coo's tail!

[McG]

Saw this in a packed Glasgow Cineworld with Yinster & OH. I found this film to be a very personal account about the effect of war and reconciliation many years later. The cinema was silent throughout and no one went to the toilet. To me this shoes how absorbed folks were with the film. Acting was very good by all the main characters and it was good to see Colin Firth in a different role from his usual. It was good to see a war film where there is not lots of guns and heroics.
I would have no hesitation in recommending this film and would have happily pa*d to see it.
Marks 9/10

[yogi]

I agree with most of the comments on here, an absorbing, powerful story that packed quite a punch at the end. Fine performances especially from Mr Firth and Hiroyuki Sanada.

In fact the only negative thing I've heard is someone on the way out saying 'that was like watching paint dry'

I disagree, so its a strong 8/10 from me

[marjoreemarjora]

Stuartboy

Some confusion with the settings though. Recognised Edinburgh's Waverley station as well as a seaside town - Cockenzie and Port Seton - nearby to Edinburgh and he was from here, but it seems he must have settled in Berwick-upon-Tweed hence the frequent views of the viaduct.

Yes, like you trying to figure out where filmed. Having scene it twice now and with hubby's input..........

Beach and house scenes were North Berwick - friend at work saw the film crew

Findlay scene - Bo'Ness Station

and other scenes with walkway - Holy island ?

You and I must have been in the queue outside the bar at the same time, but was looking for you in the queue behind, not in front!!

[alythonian]

The station they met - Crewe - was Perth! Spotted that one a mile off.

[biggins]

Don't know where the British Legion at Cockenzie was shot either as that was definately not the inside of it now or nor in the past. When I was little my grandmother had a house at Cockenzie harbour and we used to go with my Dad and grandad to the legion as it was just across the harbour and play darts and us kids got a glass of lemonade as a treat!! Happy Days!!

Glad I went on Sunday morning to see it and saved all the hassle that you seemed to have last night. Wonder if the screening tonight will be the same.

[ladams888]

Saw this in Wimbledon. A very moving film concerning the horrors of working on the Burma railway and its long-lasting effects – made even more poignant as I have lived in both Burma and Thailand and have visited the massive war cemeteries in both countries. Colin Firth was excellent as the low-key railway enthusiast who was still traumatised by his wartime experiences. He does, however seem to be type-cast in this sort of “Mr Nice Guy” role – would love to see him one day as a serial killer or some other nasty role. Nicole Kidman was very moving as his wife – a beautifully understated but well-acted role. I was surprised at the similarity between Jeremy Irvine and Colin Firth – as I never would have thought they were similar. All in all good solid film on an uneasy subject. Would definitely recommend. 9/10

[stuartboy]

Stuartboy

Some confusion with the settings though. Recognised Edinburgh's Waverley station as well as a seaside town - Cockenzie and Port Seton - nearby to Edinburgh and he was from here, but it seems he must have settled in Berwick-upon-Tweed hence the frequent views of the viaduct.

Yes, like you trying to figure out where filmed. Having scene it twice now and with hubby's input..........

Beach and house scenes were North Berwick - friend at work saw the film crew

Findlay scene - Bo'Ness Station

and other scenes with walkway - Holy island ?

You and I must have been in the queue outside the bar at the same time, but was looking for you in the queue behind, not in front!!

Yes, Mum recalls seeing film crew whilst in North Berwick too last summer.
Seems strange though since Lomax had no connection with North Berwick but with Berwick-on-Tweed where he settled with Patti. Wonder if the production team got momentarily confused with the two (and the 40-odd miles down the coast difference).

One gripe. The sound effects during the scenes of beating? They were identical regardless of whether someone was getting kicked in the ribs or head or punched, and very exaggerated. Not in keeping with a film of this standard of production.