IMDb RATING
5.9/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
Based on the story of Ronald Christopher "Buster" Edwards (Phil Collins), one of the thieves involved in "The Great Train Robbery" of 1963.Based on the story of Ronald Christopher "Buster" Edwards (Phil Collins), one of the thieves involved in "The Great Train Robbery" of 1963.Based on the story of Ronald Christopher "Buster" Edwards (Phil Collins), one of the thieves involved in "The Great Train Robbery" of 1963.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 4 wins & 1 nomination total
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
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Featured reviews
Buster (Phil Collins) is a petty thief with some skill. If he wants a new suit, he just breaks a store window and makes off with a mannequin. If the baby needs supplies, Buster sneaks into the chemist's at night and picks out what is needed. His wife June is getting a bit tired of this and would love to have a place of their own, not a rental. Therefore, Buster arranges a major train robbery (THE Great Train Robbery in the early sixties). The plot is almost successful but Buster does not remain anonymous and is a hunted man, post robbery. Will he ever see his family again? This is a very likable movie about an unlikely charmer. Buster does not want an honest job to support his family but one just can not help liking the guy. Collins is quite good as this amusing thief. Julie Walters, as his wife, is also sweet and attractive. The plot is amazing when one realizes these events actually took place. Part love story, part cat and mouse game, this film is a fun view. Anyone who sits down to Buster will be laughing in short order, leaving the sometimes somber world behind.
This movie was a big hit at the cinema when it was first released and then again as a video rental....Those were the days! The soundtrack was also a big hit and most of the songs were chart hits on the back of the movie, and not just the Phil Collins songs who was at the height of his popularity as a solo artist at the time. The story and movie itself is far from being as bad as some of the reviews here make out, its an upbeat movie for the most part and still watchable. Phil Colins can act, although he hasn't really had the chance to show that in very many roles since. The fact that you could pick this movie up free on DVD recently with a newspaper and if you missed that offer can pop into any Poundland in the UK and pick it up for a pound (on a double bill with Diamond of Jeru) I'd recommend you looking it up...even only if its to hear that great soundtrack again..5/10
I was 8 when Buster first came out and I think I seen it around about that time. Hilarious how it can be classed as a 15 given some of the stuff nowadays that passes for PG. The movie itself is fun. The characters are believable and as I say in the title there is a real honesty and relatability to the script as it reflects British working class life pretty accurately. It's by no means high brow filmmaking and relys on the 2 main actors ability to connect with the audience by portraying their relationship as very believable. Walters and indeed Collins are adept at portraying June and Buster. Overall a good feel good movie. Should be 6.5. Wish IMDB allowed half marks.
This is one good movie! This is a good movie for Phil Collins fans such as myself. Phil Collins is not only a great singer and drummer, hes also a great actor. This is a good movie to watch on a Friday night if you don't have anything else to do. You won't be sorry.
Played light but there's genuine feeling. Strong cast, Phil Collins works well in this role, as does he and Julie Walters as the hub of the movie: honest with the right touch of romance. She is great in this, as she usually is. There's naturalistic period detail: ketchup, grubby kitchens etc. First half is well-paced with real tension to the train robbery, much like a western but with just the right touch of London humour. Second half lags a little with some silly moments (drunken antics) but it's all the so-called dream heading for the inevitable reality check. Surprised it took this long for me to see it but being 13 when it came out it wasn't cool back then especially with it's music being so overplayed. Seeing it now in 2023 it feels familiar yet innocent and stronger as a UK crime movie than I'd expected. Even the music has become pleasing in a nostalgic way, 'Two Hearts' gave me goosebumps (that key change!).
Did you know
- TriviaThe movie was conceived with Bob Hoskins as Ronald Christopher "Buster" Edwards, but the filmmakers decided he'd played that sort of part in Racket (1980) and Mona Lisa (1986). Phil Collins was cast instead after director David Green saw his performance in Deux flics à Miami (1984). David Jason was also considered for the role of Buster at one point.
- GoofsIn the opening scenes, when Buster walks off wearing a new suit he has just stolen, a Vespa P range motor scooter is visible. That model was introduced in 1977.
- Quotes
June Edwards: [when discussing buying a house worth £3,000] You could get a mortgage like other people!
Buster Edwards: Do what?
June Edwards: Borrow it from a bank.
Buster Edwards: Well, I *do* borrow from banks, that is my job.
June Edwards: I mean with their permission
Buster Edwards: I thought you needed a reference to do that,
- Crazy creditsBuster Edwards never got the deal he hoped for. On the 9th December 1966 he was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for conspiring to rob Her Majesty's Royal Mail Train.
- Alternate versionsThe initial U.S. release of this film had its running time cut from 102 minutes to 94 minutes by its U.S. distributor, Hemdale Films. The subsequent video release by HBO Home Video was based on this edited version, however, a more recent release by MGM Home Video includes the complete film uncut.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Parkinson One to One: Episode #2.7 (1988)
- SoundtracksTwo Hearts (One Mind)
Performed by Phil Collins
Written by Lamont Dozier / Phil Collins
Courtesy of Hit & Run Music Ltd./Buster Films Ltd.
Published by Philip Collins Ltd./Hit & Run Music (Publishing) Ltd./Warner Brothers Music
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Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $540,000
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $265,038
- Nov 27, 1988
- Gross worldwide
- $540,000
- Runtime
- 1h 42m(102 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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