Pánico en el tren bala

I picked up a six-pack of Sonny Chiba movies and this was one of them. Lucky for me it was the uncut, original Japanese language version!! The Bullet Train is a bit of a more complex drama than the much later "Speed" which was pretty much a straight action movie. There are key differences between the two. "Speed" uses an over-the-top villain type in Dennis Hopper, a man completely evil who we're not expected to sympathize or feel sorry for. "Bullet Train"'s villain is a more complex, serious, darker sort of character, and we come to understand and even sympathize a little with his reasons for ransoming the Bullet Train.

I found it a little long at 2 1/2 hours. But I liked that it was a more serious film than Speed, delving into the ransomer's motives and the consequences of his actions, not just for his victims but for his accomplices, the train company employees, and himself. And 1.5 hours in, I realized I had no idea how it was going to end.

If you enjoy Japanese or Asian cinema in general, this isn't one of the best films, but you will probably enjoy it as I did.

Far better for me than a simple SPEED aboard a train scheme, this is a tremendous thriller where characters are very well depicted; I speak of the Long version of two hours and thirty minutes; not the short one. Ken Takakura outstanding in this villain character, and also the lead one. This is tense, gritty, very unique in the Japanese film industry which looked like a disaster Hollywoodian movie for this period. The good Hollywood side, not the lousy one that we had later, in the eighties and nineties. I highly recommend it to anyone who could be afraid because it is a film from Asia. Try this one, who ever you are, you won't regret it.

This movie is very good. It allows you to feel as if you are riding on one of Japan's bullet trains. (In Bulgaria, we call them 'arrow trains'). The movie plot follows in a very logical sequence, as the viewer is lead through the events from planting of the bomb to the eventual happy end. The characters of the terrorist are well played, as the motivations for their actions are explained. And their very human emotions of strife and hesitation are shown as we gradually learn who they are and what they want. Conversely, the train authorities are portrayed as brave people, who are taking prompt actions to eliminate the bomb. All in all, it is a movie that is pleasant to watch and will immerse you in a somewhat different world. The music, at times, becomes very gentle and dreamy (I wonder who composed the music and whether a soundtrack CD can be obtained from somewhere?) Watch this movie, it will be a memorable one for you!

I had seen this movie way long back in India when I was a Kid and enjoyed it. Now, I live and work in the USA. I would like to purchase this movie either in dvd, vcd or vhs format, but to my luck I am not able to find it's availability. If any one can help me on this I would really appreciate your efforts.

Suresh

This movie made 20 years before Speed has only 13 reviews while Speed has more than 500 reviews. Of course I am angry cos this is much better than Speed.

The villain in this one is better than Dennis Hopper. The background stories of the terrorists/villains r very well done in this movie compared to Speed.

Note that one has to see the 150 mins version of this movie.

I saw this for the first time recently n that too almost 50 years of its release n still enjoyed it.

Surprisingly Sonny Chiba got a very miniscule role. He doesn't get to make his weird constipated facial expressions in this one nor does he gets to fight anyone.

This movie inspired many movies -Speed, Runaway Train borrowed few elements, The Bollywood offspring The Burning Train borrowed some elements n another Bollywood offspring Tezz directly copied it.

Even Michael Mann's Heat borrowed few elements, the last airport scene n the wife called in to spot the guy.