Il treno del ritorno

I saw this movie when I was 11 years old. It was a love story that has never left me. When Dana Wynter says, "Oh Sonny, I loved you so," I just cried and cried. I felt then, I would have some sort of sadness in my love life and later on, I did!

Lush soap opera with many signatures of the big budget 50's studio era, beautiful locations and production design, Cinemascope and an eye for detail..there's a scene where Egan pulls up beside a house and the colors of his suit, car interior & exterior and house all compliment each other and and his complexion and he's in a ghetto! Where it misses is in the casting of the leading man.

Richard Egan was a reliable journeyman actor but he wasn't strong enough to carry this sort of film. His character, who to put it mildly has many conflicts, required the intensity of a Richard Burton or the movie star charisma of a Rock Hudson to make him work, Egan possesses neither. Dana Wynter, Cameron Mitchell and Marjorie Rambeau all provide the requisite punch to their characters but with Egan's bland reliability failing to give them a spark to ignite off of the film never pulls the audience in.

It's not an awful film just empty.

Married New York City lawyer with Southern roots returns to his hometown in Georgia strictly on business, managing to dig up secrets from the past as well as rekindling a distant romance. Despite some flashbacks near the beginning, a lean and straightforward adaptation of Hamilton Basso's book (its inelegant title changed to "Secret Interlude" overseas). The film manages to skirt overwrought melodrama with help from a literate screenplay by Philip Dunne, who also directed. However, with themes of interracial relations and extra-marital intimacy, the picture really shouldn't be so plodding. The performers are well-cast (and their divergent accents aren't a big distraction), but the blaring music by Elmer Bernstein seeks out more intensity on the screen than what we're getting, especially during the romantic clinches. Handsome film is well-produced, yet the plot is merely routine. ** from ****

I saw this memorable movie when I was 15, 45 years ago. It made an indelible impression on me, especially Dana Wynter, and, as I remember, a powder blue Ford convertible. I have been trying for several years now to find out if it's available in video.So far, no luck. Does anybody know if it can be had, if so how?

After several attempts at watching blurry copies, I finally found a decent copy with satisfactory sound and was then able to view the entire film. I found this film to be quite absorbing and beautiful. The performances were very convincing. Richard Egan as usual is a very powerful and engrossing presence here always balancing restraint and erotic tension. Dana Wynter is lovely but could have been more impetuous. I read that Jean Simmons was considered for the Dana Wynter role. Perhaps she would have added that fiery impetuousness that was lacking in Ms. Wynter's performance. The acting accolades go to Marjorie Rambeau who was truly commanding in every scene. Sidney Blackner and Cameron Mitchell contribute very strong performances as well. Visually, the production is stunning. The colours, light, shadows and scenery were extremely lush and well thought out. The farewell scene at the train station for me ranks as one of the most beautiful "train station" scenes ever, along with " A Man and a Woman", "Love in the Afternoon" and dare I say, "Brief Encounter." It is unfortunate that a fully and meticulously restored version of this film is still unavailable. I can only imagine what the experience of watching this film must be like on the big screen. I should also not neglect to mention Elmer Bernstein's sweeping music score and moving love theme.