User reviews

Ah, the disaster films of the 1970s......every natural (and some man-made) disaster had its movie. Earthquakes, fires, tidal waves, floods (courtesy of a made-for-TV movie simply called Flood!), volcanoes, hurricanes, doomed airliners, ships, bombings, subway hijacks......the one hold out was tornadoes, but that was remedied two decades later in 1996. The disaster movies that remain somewhat relevant in the 21st century are actually the ones involving terrorists, hijacking, snipers, and bomb plots--movies like Rollercoaster, Black Sunday, Juggernaut, Two-Minute Warning, The Taking of Pelham 1, 2, 3, and The Cassandra Crossing. But as the case with other (more "escapist fare") disaster movies, the checklist applies. Ensemble, all-star (for the time) casts: Check. Generous running time, usually over two hours: Check. Multiple plot lines: Check. Impressive special effects (created the old-fashioned way, before CGI--models): Check. O. J. Simpson: Check. An actor from Hollywood's golden era (usually William Holden, Charlton Heston, or Burt Lancaster): Check.

In The Cassandra Crossing, the terrorists who kick off the plot are actually ecoterrorists, who attempt to to blow up a WHO-like organization in Geneva. They fail, but end up being exposed to a deadly virus, and one of them winds up on a trans-Europe train. The virus spreads and the military and other officials decide the best way to contain the outbreak is to re-route the train to a decrepit bridge in Poland, likely to collapse once the train passes over it, and the authorities can then blame the tragedy on the defective bridge. And this being a '70s disaster movie, expect multiple storylines based on the eccentrics on the train.

George P. Cosmatos, who would later direct Sly Stallone in two big hits (Rambo: First Blood Part II in 1985 and Cobra a year later), as well as the lesser-known underwater disaster film Leviathan, skillfully directs the proceedings and maintains tension throughout as we see the train hurtling toward its doom. Cosmatos also includes several effective images of the dangerous bridge taken from various angles - the audience realizes there is no way in hell the train could make it across this thing. The climax is graphic, slapping this movie with an R-rating; also somewhat unusual in that most '70s disaster movies got PGs (exceptions being the equally gritty Taking of Pelham 1,2,3, Two-Minute Warning, and Black Sunday).

You never turn to a disaster movie for heavy intellectualism, but this one is definitely one of the better and more timeless examples of the subgenre.

Independently made outside of the big Hollywood studios at the height of the 1970s disaster film cycle, this is actually one of the better efforts in the genre concerning a trainful of passengers dealing with both an outbreak of pneumonic plague thanks to a terrorist stowaway and a political conspiracy to cover it up by sending them all to their deaths via a condemned railway bridge.

Whilst not quite hitting the heights of The Poseidon Adventure and The Towering Inferno, both made a few years beforehand, a mixture of a good cast, good directing by George P Cosmatos (who made First Blood in the 1980s and Tombstone in the 1990s) and some really good editing helps to cover up most of the minor flaws in this film. Like the train that the film centres around, the film keeps its momentum going despite being fairly long.

Talky at times, yet it has enough well directed action in it to keep it interesting. Some decent performances by Ava Gardner, Richard Harris and Martin Sheen help too (although some of Burt Lancaster's lines seem a little convoluted) However these are all minor quibbles. Ok, the film may be showing its age now but it's still a good watch that people of most ages will enjoy.

I haven't seen this one in years and it's surprising how much actually stays in your memory. Luckily for me, a TV station that specialises in old movies and television dramas decided to show this flick. It was the star-studded cast that drew me to it, along with the storyline - I do like a good disaster film.

The first thing I have to do is praise the opening sequence as being one of the best I've ever seen. It's a flight across Geneva to the World Health Organisation. It's such a steady and beautiful shot that it really sticks in my mind.

We then find out why we're at the WHO. A terrorist group are about to break in and try to blow up the building. However, their attempt is foiled. Though, in the process, a couple of them are doused in a liquid that contains a fatally infectious disease. One of the two is shot on site, though the other makes it out of the building to escape into a nearby rail station and an awaiting train. Once onboard the audience is privileged to watch the spread of the infection as the escapee stumbles through the carriages.

What adds to the power of the film is the interconnecting stories of the travellers on the train. Some are hiding secrets, some are hiding from life, some are trying to make the best of the life they have, and some are falling in love. The diversity of characters and their realism only adds strength to the story and film. Though I will say that the strongest and best character, for me, was Herman Kaplan who is brilliantly portrayed by Lee Strasberg.

On the whole, the directing and story is pretty average, though there are a few good scenes, such as the helicopter pickup - this gets you on the edge of your seat. Then when we're coming to the climax the continual flashes to the dilapidated bridge do add an air of expectation and tension.

If there is one drawback it's the length of the film. It could have done with losing a few minutes, just to tighten up the pace a little. But that's it. The ending is superb and actually sent a shiver down my spine and left a sarcastic smile on my face.

This is a pretty good film to watch on a Sunday Afternoon when you're podged with Sunday Dinner. I would recommend this one to all the thriller and conspiracy lovers out there in the world, well worth a view or two.

Wow! Now here's a value for money film. You get an outbreak of plague on a train, heading for a rickety bridge, whose passengers include sundry thieves, arms dealers, terrorists, pretty girls and cute kids. We've got helicopters, shoot-outs, explosions, songs, heroic sacrifices, Martin Sheen as Ava Gardner's kept boyfriend, Lee Strasberg emoting nobly and Burt Lancaster as an Army General who is Not To Be Trusted. George Pan Cosmatos directs at a fair lick, the setpieces are staged with relish, there's some neat bits of dialogue (courtesy of Tom Manciewiez, one suspects) and a spectacular climax. By most definitions, this is a pretty bad, crass, melodramatic, ludicrous film, but it's more fun than many a Good Movie I can think of.

This is not one of those soulless, uninteresting all-star packages of the '70s, like "The Towering Inferno" or one of those pseudo-artsy "entertainments" like "The French Connection"; it's a vigorously directed, tightly edited thriller that grabs you by the throat right from the opening sequence and keeps its grip throughout. Sure, it contains most of the expected disaster-movie cliches (peculiar love-hate relationships between characters played by big stars of the era, useless supporting roles - especially Ava Gardner's -, etc...), but the directing is so efficient, and Burt Lancaster is so convincingly hateful, that you find yourself completely absorbed. In my opinion, a first-rate movie, with a spectacular finish. (***)

A trainload of European and American travelers becomes doomed when a medical terrorist infected with bubonic plague stows away and brings the deadly disease on board. As a way of taking care of the mess, the military solution, which wins out over the medical one, in your typical heated and ongoing debate between a colonel and a doctor, is to seal the train shut, occupy it with well-armed soldiers dressed in white jumpsuits and gas masks, and then send them all to the "Cassandra Crossing", a high metal bridge spanning a river far below, that's just waiting for a reason to collapse. However, a passenger rebellion is organized that's quite exciting, as OJ Simpson (a cop) teams with Richard Harris (a doctor) and Martin Sheen (a heroin addict and the companion of Ava Gardner), to free the train, and somehow disconnect the cars. Given a little more drama and attention, the rebellion could have really made this film great, but the film fits into a suitable conclusion that doesn't do much justice to the issues it deals with.

I happened to catch this film today on a cable channel. It was worth watching again. Unlike other disaster films, this film was an original set on a train with a plague ridden passenger. Aboard this Paris bound train, it's changed to a place in Poland which was a concentration camp to quarantine the passengers. What the passengers don't know is that they have to cross "The Cassandra Crossing" which is poorly constructed bridge in Poland that can't handle the train's weight. Even the former residents have left living there because of the bridge's danger. I thought this film has a lot of thrilling sequences even with the seventies music and score by Jerry Goldsmith. The cast is first rate with the late Richard Harris (who should have been knighted), Sophia Loren, Martin Sheen, Ava Gardner, Lee Strasberg, even O.J. Simpson is cast in an unusual role. I haven't watched anything with Simpson since 1994. I thought Lee Strasberg was brilliant as was Burt Lancaster and Ingrid Thulin as well.

Suspenseful and intriguing disaster movie with all-star-cast and well-directed . Exciting and interesting catastrophe movie with some clichés and stereotypes , containing enjoyable performances from Burt Lancaster , Richard Harris and Sofia Loren . This disaster movie blends action , intrigue , breathtaking spectacle , suspense and emotional byplay . ¨Cassandra crossing¨ was a successful film that grossed at box office . The film's storyline features the potential outbreak of a deadly pneumonic plague virus on a train from an germ infected passenger and the legend of the Cassandra Crossing add to the suspense . As passengers on a European train have been exposed to a deadly disease . As a motley group of passengers are quarantined on a train destined to prevent the spread of the disease at the cost of their lives . One of them is Doctor Chamberlain (Richard Harris , though Peter O'Toole turned down the role) along with his ex-wife (Sofia Loren) . Furthermore , a suspicious priest called Haley (James Coburn turned down the role of Haley which was in the end played by 'O J Simpson') , a millionaire spouse (Ava Gardner) , her lover (Martin Sheen) , among others . The Fear Is Spreading but nobody will let them off the train . As when the train carrying plague approaches a weakened bridge the events go wrong .

This is and amusing and entertaining disaster movie though has some sloppy executions . This formula intrigue movie belongs to catastrophe genre of the 70s , being the undisputed king , ¨The towering inferno¨ along with ¨Earthquake¨ , ¨Two minutes warning¨ , ¨Rollercoaster¨ , among others . Filmed at the height of the disaster genre from the 7os , this entry in the spectacular series profits of a decent acting by protagonists and overwhelming action scenes . It blends thrills , chills , shootouts , noisy action-packed , government intrigue, international smuggling , and many other things . It is a crossover in which "Outbreak" meets ¨Under siege 2¨ , "The Runaway Train" and ¨Death Train¨ , taking parts here and there . The "Cassandra Crossing" of the film's title refers to a bridge in the movie called the Kaslindrliv Bridge, being shot in France and Italy . The architectural structure used to play this was the Viaduct of Garabit which is located in the South of France , it was built between 1881 & 1884, and was manufactured by Gustave Alexandre Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame . This moving picture which is short in realism instead we have far-fetched but moving blow up , crossfire , fighting , it should please most adventure-action buffs . The main and support cast is frankly good , it is plenty with known faces such as Ingrid Thulin , Ava Gardner , Lee Strasberg , Lionel Stander , Lou Castel , Ann Turkel, John Phillip Law , Ray Lovelock , Alida Valli and several others . Producer Carlo Ponti saw the movie as a showcase for his wife Sophia Loren . The movie also co-starred the then husband and wife actors Richard Harris and Ann Turkel, with Turkel being pregnant during principal photography .

Luminous and shimmer cinematography by Ennio Guarneri . Fitted to action and stirring misical score by the great Jerry Goldsmith . This improbable motion picture was professionally directed by George Pan Cosmatos . He's a good director who got a great success with ¨Tombstone¨ and flops as ¨Shadow conspiracy¨, ¨Leviathan¨, ¨Escape to Athena¨ , ¨Massacre in Rome¨ and this ¨Cassandra crossing¨ was a hit at European box office . This typical epic disaster grade story will appeal to Lancaster/Harris/Loren fans . Although the movie has some aspects a little tough to take , this catastrophe film still has its moments .This large-scale and lavishly produced pic attempts a spectacular atmosphere with acceptable results.

I saw this film at the movies back when I was 16 and I'm 61 now. It was hot stuff back then and still stands the test of time even tho looking back makes us laugh at their technoloy. It is a blast from the past for me and a time capsule of the social norms of the time. That's why I love watching old films. It shows me how ideas change and how my kids can see how their parents thought at the time so they can understand us better.

Two terrorists break into a Geneva chemical plant, bungling the raid they come under attack from the guards. As shots ring out they are both sprayed by a shattered chemical container, one of the men dies but the other manages to escape aboard a European express train. Once on board it becomes apparent that anyone he comes into contact with is at serious danger of infection, the government and military learn that the man is aboard this train and set about a plan of action to isolate it before the virus can spread further. The passengers on board are not only at threat from this potentially fatal virus, but also the political bigwigs whom have their lives literally in their hands.

This is great entertainment, part disaster movie but operating mainly as a tight thriller, The Cassandra Crossing is a delightful way to spend a couple of hours. Boasting Richard Harris, Sophia Loren, Ava Gardner, Martin Sheen, O.J. Simpson and Burt Lancaster, it's acted out with all the necessary verve needed for this type of picture. Also in the films favour is that it's not merely about a disease threatening a train load of passengers, there are government issues at hand, decisions to be made that are very much accounted for, throw in the various peccadilloes that some of the passengers have and you find crammed full of intrigue and drama. Drugs and weapons are involved, and even a reoccurring romance plays out with very subtle ease, writers Robert Katz and George P. Cosmatos have delivered a very solid plot and executed it with old fashioned dramatic values.

Get on board this train and enjoy the ride. 7/10

A hospital terrorist in Geneva manages to escape security, but not before contracting Bubonic Plague in the medical lab; he stows away in the baggage car of a Swiss train bound for Sweden, later mingling with the commuters (he touches a baby, food in the kitchen, he shares water with a pooch, and even approaches a cleric-collar wearing O.J. Simpson!). Doctors and military men are onto him, however, and soon the train is re-routed--towards a Polish bridge on the verge of collapse! Producer Carlo Ponti (via Lew Grade) employs a large group of famous faces for the guest-star roles, ensuring that his wife, Sophia Loren, gets plenty of Movie Star Close-Ups. Loren and Richard Harris aren't terribly credible as bickering/kissing ex-marrieds (she attempts to re-seduce him wearing a black negligée), but at least they're better than Lee Strasberg as a former prisoner-of-war and Martin Sheen as a heroin-addict passing himself off as Madame Ava Gardner's boy toy. Decadent, divine Gardner (with Bassett Hound in tow!) gets her share of close-ups too, and also the pithiest lines. The cinematography is quite impressive, and Jerry Goldsmith's score is enjoyably melodramatic, but the writing, editing, and direction are each lousy. This hit theaters on the tail-end of the all-star-disaster-epic craze...and failed to revive the dying genre. Easy to see why, most of the passengers seem as fatigued as the plot. ** from ****

I was eleven years old when I first saw THE CASSANDRA CROSSING, and even though at that time I only saw the last five minutes or so (from where the old man sacrifices his life in order to save the train) it stayed with me and kept nagging at me to watch the whole thing. Seven years later I managed to get to see the whole movie, and it was well worth the wait. Don't be put off by the first section of the film, in which the characters and their relationships are established - this is crucial to the understanding to the plot as it develops. Be patient, and you will be well rewarded. If only modern disaster films were more like this one!

The '70s cycle of disaster films provided widely acclaimed titles such as The Poseidon Adventure and The Towering Inferno, and universally panned titles like When Time Ran Out and Hurricane. It's tricky to decide which side to place The Cassandra Crossing. This 1976 entry in the genre divides critics and the public like no other disaster movie - on the one hand you have Maltin giving it his nod of approval, while on the other you have Halliwell dismissing it as a totally undistinguished potboiler. Personally, I feel The Cassandra Crossing has been rather hard done by. It's a good, well-made, sporadically exciting film with a first-rate cast.

A terrorist on the run boards a continental train, unaware that when he recently infiltrated a top secret laboratory he was infected with a highly contagious killer plague. Pretty soon, people aboard the train are coming down with the horrendous virus. In the corridors of power, Colonel Stephen Mackenzie (Burt Lancaster) plots to divert the train to an abandoned concentration camp where the passengers can be quarantined, ignoring the fact that the train will have to traverse the famously fragile Cassandra Crossing (a dangerously rickety, long unused bridge) to get there. Meanwhile, the passengers - including Dr. Jonathan Chamberlain (Richard Harris) - realize that they're not as safe as the authorities would have them believe, and they try to regain control of the express.

Admittedly, The Cassandra Crossing is derivative and clichéd - as, indeed, so many disaster films are. But it doesn't waste its marvelous all-star cast. Each character is well-written and well-performed by a stellar cast. George Pan Cosmatos (later to helm Cobra and Rambo: First Blood, Part II) directs with an assured touch and generates some very effective tension, particularly in the film's memorable climax. At 123 minutes, the film is just long enough - there's time to get involved in the story and the characters, but not quite enough time to get bored. The Cassandra Crossing is an above-par disaster flick, which has been unfairly under-rated for far too long.

This film, released in 1976, was another one of the star-filled disaster movies of the 70's that had audiences wondering which players were going to survive, and which ones were doomed. Sophia Loren, Richard Harris, Ava Gardner, Burt Lancaster, Martin Sheen, and O.J. Simpson head the starring roles, and that list does perk the interest for viewers. The only drawback is the first part of the film does spend a bit too much time in developing character interactions, and the like, which does subtract from the story itself.

A terrorist group stages a raid on an International Health Building in Geneva. One of the terrorists manages to escape, but becomes a carrier of a very dangerous plague virus. He boards a train that is scheduled to go to Stockholm, and in doing so, exposes many of the passengers to the virus. Lancaster is called in to handle the rescue operation, and he decides to send the train to a crossing in Poland that is unsafe. In his mind, it is better to sacrifice a 1,000 lives, instead of spreading the virus all over Europe. Richard Harris, a doctor on board the doomed train, believes those that are sick, are recovering, and he pushes for a different solution. Col. MacKenzie (Lancaster) refuses to accept that answer, and the train is sent towards the Cassandra Crossing, and certain destruction, if Harris is unable to stage a rescue effort on his own.

I rated this a 6/10, only because of the slowness in developing the characters. Once the train leaves Geneva, and the seriousness of the matter is realized, this film does keep the audience involved.

The current H1N1 epidemic (swine flu is a misnomer) makes "The Cassandra Crossing" a little more interesting. Mostly, this story of a terrorist spreading a disease on a Swiss train is a common disaster flick, what with the giant cast. I'd say that the upside is that it shows how the military officer (Burt Lancaster) tries to cover up the problem. The 1970s of course saw a lot of movies about suspicion of the government (like "The Parallax View" and "Three Days of the Condor"). A really fine scene is Sophia Loren in her slip.

So, this isn't any masterpiece, but certainly a fun one. Also starring Richard Harris, O.J. Simpson, Ava Gardner, Martin Sheen, Lee Strasberg, Lionel Stander, Ingrid Thulin, Alida Valli, John Phillip Law, Ann Turkel, Ray Lovelock and Lou Castel.

It's so sad to see that a flick like this with a cult status never really had a good release. It do has a DVD release but it was just a ad copy from a bad master. Be aware that the copies out there were all cut for 4 or 5 minutes and that the only release so far hat has the full uncut version is the Flemish release, sadly it's OOP and really hard to catch, Even the US Blu Ray release isn't complete.

Being an Italian flick I guess that must be the reason why it never was out there as it should be. But the positive thing is that it is a must see. The acting is superb and even clocking in over 90 minutes it still works. Some even say that Snowpiercer is the remake of Cassandra Crossing...

Even as the story is rather simple this is a perfect example of a seventies flick about disasters and there were many out there back then.

A must see if you want to see how acting was done in the days, see the difference now. f you come across his flick, pick it up.

Gore 0,5/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 2/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 0/5