It’s possible this is my favorite performance from Burt Lancaster, portraying a man who guides the French resistance through a complicated moral situation involving a train filled with stolen art. Paul Scofield plays "Col. Von Waldheim," and he skillfully persuades his superiors, who are worried about Göring, to let him load priceless treasures onto a train headed for Germany. However, as the Nazis begin to lose the war, their resources become strained, forcing him to resort to deception just to get the train ready. Lancaster’s character, "Labiche," is responsible for the railway station and usually works to undermine the German occupation; yet, he sees some value in allowing this particular train to leave. He considers that perhaps it could be rerouted away from Germany so that it can be saved for future generations of French citizens. Michel Simon portrays “Papa Boule,” an elderly driver who’s open to a little bit of sabotage, but when he is shot after being caught, the Colonel decides that only "Labiche" can be relied upon with the train. Consequently, he's brought aboard, and they engage in a tense game of suspicion, each carefully watching the other. Their journey is full of danger—from Allied forces, from fellow French citizens, and from the Germans—practically everyone seems to want it. The Colonel’s focus intensifies; everything will be risked to safeguard the convoy as it continues its route – but toward what destination? Jacques Marin has a pleasant brief appearance—he enjoys cheese—and Jeanne Moreau is also present as the proprietor of a guest house, attempting to navigate the precarious balance between patriotism and simply staying alive. There's a strong connection on screen between Lancaster and Scofield, with the latter’s increasingly erratic behavior being quite fascinating to observe. Will the train make it? I suppose everyone hopes it will—but...

Source on TMDB