The sad case of a childhood favorite that didn't stand the test of time as well as hoped. Especially the set up of this crime comedy about a man witnessing a murder on a train trip from L.A. to Chicago, is rather slow. Once the plot thickens things are rather interesting, and it's pretty funny to behold how often George has to get back on the train. The longer the film is running the better its timing works, and the showdown and final crash into Chicago train station is breath taking and spectacular. Not a flawless film by any means, once the nostalgia wears off, but still very decent entertainment.

Probably the main film for Wilder and Pryor in their careers but in my opinion not their best film together, second best behind 'Stir Crazy'. This is still brilliant stuff mixing proper thrills and actual nasty murder for Wilder with his usual wild eyed lunacy haha the film isn't hilarious as you may expect and is kinda slow burning from the start as the plot builds plus Pryor doesn't come into the fun till about halfway. The giggles do arise when Pryor enters the fray naturally and the film does pick up at that point, until then its a kind of semi serious murder mystery on a train with a slice of 'Hitchcock' blended in which is fine but not stunning. This is an old film now and it is pretty dated but it does still entertain as Wilder will always do no matter what year it is. The cast is classic, especially Patrick McGoohan with his 'Dick Dastardly' type villain, the scenery is quite stunning throughout the train journey, gentle musical score and the finale is still pretty impressive with the train wreck, amazing effects back in the day. A soft, pleasant, relaxing Sunday afternoon film which will make you smile and tweak your senses with a dash of murder most foul :)