Casablanca Express (1989)

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Despite its many negative reviews, I quite enjoyed this movie. It's full of action, moves at an admirably brisk pace from start to finish, and was obviously shot on some really exotic locations. Admittedly, I'm a train buff and any movies featuring a train – especially an exotic train such as this one – immediately get my vote! I'm also a Glenn Ford fan and it was good to see the Alpha DVD going all out to promote him on the cover ahead of everyone else. Incidentally, while I have the DVD in front of me, the cover maintains that the film "contains nudity." I don't remember any nudity. Maybe I slept through that scene, but I could have sworn I had my eyes glued to the set from start to finish. Getting back to Ford, true, Glenn is too old for the role (and so is Donald Pleasence for his part), but why quibble? Any movie with Glenn Ford is a good movie – and this one is tops! Available on a very good Alpha DVD.

UK Prime Minister "Winston Churchill is traveling across Africa during the second World War. Nazi terrorists sabotage the train and take Churchill hostage. Counter-espionage agents Jason Connery (son of Sean Connery) and Francesco Quinn (son of Anthony Quinn) attempt to save him, and perhaps prevent the collapse of the allied war effort," according to the DVD sleeve description, "'Casablanca Express' is a taunt thriller with explosive action sequences." Interesting to see the sons of two very accomplished actors in such an unimpressive movie. The younger Connery and the younger Quinn are, arguably, more handsome in appearance, but less attractive on screen. At least in this movie; "Casablanca Express" is only one film, and not a very good one. It really seems to be set in the 1980s, poorly pretending to be World War II of the 1940s. Allied actors Glenn Ford, Donald Pleasence, and Jean Sorel amount to naught.**** Casablanca Express (12/22/89) Sergio Martino ~ Jason Connery, Francesco Quinn, Jinny Steffan, Glenn Ford

While this is nothing extraordinary perhaps, it is a worthwhile piece of cinema for many reasons. The basic plot is sound, there are some fine actors involved, and it relates a sideshow of the war which might have had very far-reaching consequences had things panned out otherwise. I also thought the female lead was excellent, and that surprised me, in a movie of this type. Jason Connery is a believable commando and it would probably surprise some people to learn that just this type of operation was carried out on more than one occasion in the Second World War. Altogether, a good entertainment, with very nice touches from Donald Pleasance and Glenn Ford, and a highly efficient (Nazi) villain to boot.

Since I like World War Two as a movie genre, I tend to be a bit more kind in my criticism than others. I found the set designs, wardrobe and ambiance acceptable. I found Jinny Steffan more than appealing, and believe the film would have been much more tolerable for me if her ample "attributes" had been exploited more. And, as others have pointed out, this film is anything but memorable — and for all of the historical, political and military inaccuracies already pointed out. In addition, prior to this, I had never seen any World War Two ground troops, Army OR Marine, who wore jump suits, especially jump suits complete with leggings. As for goofs, in the final scene, Jason Connery (with a gunshot wound in his left leg) and Jinny Steffan walk away from the doomed train. However, with each step, he puts his full weight on his left leg and limps on his right as she supposedly holds him up.