Classic Ealing Comedy The Titfield Thunderbolt Getting A 4K Upgrade

Studiocanal UK have a treat for Ealing Studios fans with  a brand-new 2-disc Collector’s Edition of one of the Studios’ beloved classic comedies, The Titfield Thunderbolt (1953). Meticulously restored in 4K for the forthcoming  June release,  joining part of the ever expanding Vintage Classics collection.

Directed by Charles Chrichton (The Lavender Hill Mob, The Divided Heart), The Titfield Thunderbolt catches the spirit of post-war Britain through the delightfully eccentric story of a rural village determined to save its beloved railway from closure – by taking it over and running it themselves.

The film features a distinguished ensemble cast including George Relph (The Lavender Hill Mob, Ben-Hur) as the determined village vicar leading the campaign to save the railway, Stanley Holloway (Kind Hearts And Coronets, Passport To Pimlico) as the charming local drunk and Sid James (The Lavender Hill Mob, The Ladykillers) as the scheming replacement bus company operator. Supporting cast includes John Gregson (The Lavender Hill Mob, Genevieve), Naunton Wayne (Dead Of Night,Passport To Pimlico), Godfrey Tearle (The Lady Vanishes, The Stars Don’t Look Down), Hugh Griffith (The Lavender Hill Mob, Ben-Hur) and Gabrielle Brune (Went The Day Well, The Captive Heart). Packed with community-spirited wit, authentic steam locomotives and quaint countryside settings, The Titfield Thunderbolt is a quintessential British comedy for classic comedy lovers and train enthusiasts alike.

Extras on the Collector’s Edition include a new segment on the railway that sparked The Titfield Thunderbolt with Tim Dunn, The Titfield Thunderbolt Pathé short, the Making Of, Douglas Slocombe on Charles Chrichton interviewed by Matthew Sweet, Douglas Slocombe 16mm footage & more. A 64-page booklet and poster of the original artwork are also included.

You can read our review of The Titfield Thunderbolt for it’s 60th anniversary here.

Synopsis | THE TITFIELD THUNDERBOLT is a comical and delightful tale of community spirit, written by celebrated Ealing regular and Academy Award Winner T.E.B. Clarke (The Lavender Hill Mob, Barnacle Bill), directed by Charles Crichton (A Fish Called Wanda, The Lavender Hill Mob). When British Railways announce the closure of the Titfield to Mallingford branch line, a group of local village residents make a bid to run it themselves, backed by a monied member of the community who is attracted by the complete lack of licensing hours on trains. Unfortunately, this puts them into direct competition with the local bus company.

EXTRAS:
-New Tim Dunn on the Railway That Sparked The Titfield Thunderbolt
-“The Titfield Thunderbolt” (1952): British Pathé short
-Making of The Titfield Thunderbolt
-Douglas Slocombe’s Titfield Thunderbolt 16mm Footage
-Lion locomotive Featurette *
-Then & Now Locations Featurette
-Douglas Slocombe on Charles Crichton: Interview by Matthew Sweet
-Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery
-Trailer

* Courtesy of Museum of Liverpool, National Museums Liverpool. Lion locomotive is on display in The Great Port Gallery of the Museum of Liverpool

Studiocanal UK will release The Titlfield Thunderbolt on 4K UHD as part of Vintage Classics on 15th June.

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The founder of The People's Movies, started the site 20th November 2008.The site has excelled past all expectations with many only giving the site months and it's still going strong. A lover of French Thrillers, Post Apocalyptic films, Asian cinema. 2009 started Cinehouse to start his 'cinema education' learning their is life outside mainstream cinema. Outside of film, love to travel with Sorrento, Guangzhou and Manchester all favourite destinations.Musically loves David Bowie, Fishbone, Radiohead.

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