The Train
As the Allied forces approach Paris in August 1944, German Colonel Von Waldheim is desperate to take all of France's greatest paintings to Germany. He manages to secure a train to transport the valuable art works even as the chaos of retreat descends upon them. The French resistance however wants to stop them from stealing their national treasures but have received orders from London that they are not to be destroyed. The station master, Labiche, is tasked with scheduling the train and making it all happen smoothly but he is also part of a dwindling group of resistance fighters tasked with preventing the theft. He and others stage an elaborate ruse to keep the train from ever leaving French territory.
Working with a small-scale budget of $5.8M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $6.8M in global revenue (+17% profit margin).
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 1 win & 3 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Train (1964) demonstrates strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of John Frankenheimer's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 13 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes August 1944, Paris. Labiche, a French railway inspector, efficiently manages train operations under German occupation, focused on practical survival rather than resistance.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when The Resistance demands Labiche stop a train carrying priceless French artwork to Germany. Von Waldheim has meticulously planned the theft, forcing Labiche into the conflict.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 33 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Labiche actively commits to stopping the train, staging an elaborate ruse to reroute it and make the Germans think it's heading to Germany when it's circling back to France., moving from reaction to action.
At 67 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Von Waldheim discovers the deception and executes hostages, including Papa Boule. The stakes become deadly personal, and Labiche realizes he can no longer play games - lives are being lost., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 100 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Multiple Resistance members are killed in German reprisals. Labiche is wounded, and the train appears unstoppable as it nears the German border. All seems lost., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 106 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Labiche realizes the paintings do matter - not as objects, but as symbols of what his friends died for. He commits to one final, desperate act to stop the train before it crosses the border., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Train's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Train against these established plot points, we can identify how John Frankenheimer utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Train within the thriller genre.
John Frankenheimer's Structural Approach
Among the 11 John Frankenheimer films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Train represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete John Frankenheimer filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional thriller films include Eye for an Eye, Lake Placid and Operation Finale. For more John Frankenheimer analyses, see The Manchurian Candidate, Ronin and The Island of Dr. Moreau.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
August 1944, Paris. Labiche, a French railway inspector, efficiently manages train operations under German occupation, focused on practical survival rather than resistance.
Theme
Papa Boule tells Labiche that some things matter more than staying alive - "Then you're just dead already" - establishing the theme of what makes life worth living.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the railway network, the Resistance members, German occupation forces, and Colonel von Waldheim's obsession with stealing French art masterpieces before the Allied liberation.
Disruption
The Resistance demands Labiche stop a train carrying priceless French artwork to Germany. Von Waldheim has meticulously planned the theft, forcing Labiche into the conflict.
Resistance
Labiche resists involvement, arguing trains and tracks matter more than paintings. He debates with Resistance leaders and reluctantly explores sabotage options while trying to avoid direct confrontation.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Labiche actively commits to stopping the train, staging an elaborate ruse to reroute it and make the Germans think it's heading to Germany when it's circling back to France.
Mirror World
The hotel owner Christine and the art curator Miss Villard represent the thematic counterpoint - those who believe cultural heritage and values transcend individual survival.
Premise
Cat-and-mouse games between Labiche and von Waldheim. Elaborate railway sabotage, switching tracks, misdirection, and close calls as the Resistance attempts to delay and derail the art train.
Midpoint
Von Waldheim discovers the deception and executes hostages, including Papa Boule. The stakes become deadly personal, and Labiche realizes he can no longer play games - lives are being lost.
Opposition
Von Waldheim tightens control, executing more hostages and destroying infrastructure. Allied bombing complicates efforts. Labiche's team suffers losses as the Germans close in and the train gets closer to the border.
Collapse
Multiple Resistance members are killed in German reprisals. Labiche is wounded, and the train appears unstoppable as it nears the German border. All seems lost.
Crisis
Labiche, wounded and haunted by the deaths of his comrades, must decide whether to make one final attempt or accept defeat. He processes the cost of his commitment.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Labiche realizes the paintings do matter - not as objects, but as symbols of what his friends died for. He commits to one final, desperate act to stop the train before it crosses the border.
Synthesis
Labiche derails the train in French territory. Von Waldheim, obsessed to the end, wanders among the wreckage. Labiche confronts and kills him, then walks through the scattered masterpieces.
Transformation
Labiche walks away from the recovered paintings without looking back - transformed from a man who cared only for trains into one who understands what his sacrifice protected, even if he cannot articulate it.