MovieChat Forums > The Cassandra Crossing (1977) Discussion > When was the decision made to get rid of...

When was the decision made to get rid of the train?

posted 17 years ago by sf1-1
13 replies | jump to latest

I saw this movie probably 4 times and I was always wondering when was the final decision made to get rid of all people on the train?

It seems to me that firstly it was meant for the train to get to Janov in Poland for quarantine set up there. And yes, safely, without any intention to kill them. But after the Polish authorities sent more info about the Cassandra bridge and its poor condition it was suddenly a perfect chance to kill not only all those people on the train but also their knowledge about the virus.

And Burt Lancaster character only obeyed such decision, I believe he didn´t come up with such a sick plan.

Am I right or am I missing anything here?
Thanx

[–] nickwarrenauthor 17 years ago

He was talking on the phone to a commander-in-chief obeying those orders, and this was pointed out when Elena told him 'You're just an obedient link in a chain of command', so he never made the decision alone. In the first hour, he also pointed out that the 'Cassandra Crossing' bridge was just a contingency plan.
Still a great movie even by today's standards!

[–] DoctorStrangelove 17 years ago

Why would anyone want to see this movie four times? It's awful for so many reasons, not the least of which is its portrayal of Burt's character as the 'villain'.

He who is tired of "Weird Al"... is tired of life.

[–] couzijn 17 years ago

The biggest problem is not that anyone wanted to see this film four times (which I did, too); but that you do not understand why they do.

It is no great loss that these people are incapable of understanding your motives to leave this film alone (your motives are apparently not relevant for them); but that you are incapable of understanding their motives (which *might* be relevant for you if you understood them).

Not being able to value a movie, or a book, or another work of art, is a greater loss than not being able to understand why some cannot value it.

[–] DoctorStrangelove 17 years ago

My question was rhetorical, but thanks anyway for the trite and snobby response.

He who is tired of "Weird Al"... is tired of life.

[–] couzijn 17 years ago

You are lying that your question was rhetorical, because it was not. That is just your cheap way of allowing yourself to discard criticism. Good luck with that attitude, Sir.

Michel Couzijn

[–] DoctorStrangelove 17 years ago

On behalf of decent persons everywhere, I thank you for another insulting response. You've freely exposed the worst aspects of your clearly limited personality, thus saving us all the trouble of uncovering your nastiness on our own time. I will now add you to my ignore list with a perfectly clear conscience.

(Really, you should consider a personality transplant - but in the meantime, please continue performing this public service for everyone else.)

He who is tired of "Weird Al"... is tired of life.

[–] couzijn 17 years ago

You *could* have written an apology for your lie instead of this drivel.

The fact that you did not, that you hide behind an alias, and that you need an imaginary crowd to make a point clearly demonstrates your courage.

Good luck again.

Michel Couzijn

[–] Ripshin 17 years ago

It is a ridiculous film - one of the worst in the disaster genre.

[–] nickwarrenauthor 17 years ago

I love this movie and have seriously seen worse than this - SUPERNOVA anyone??!! C-Crossing was actually remade with Jean Claude Van Damme as DERAILED . . . had worse Hornby Train Set SFX!!!

[–] Ripshin 17 years ago

The fact that there are worse movies is rather a moot point. This film is still idiotic, and terrible.

[–] dandandandandan 16 years ago

I am not really sure why you think this is one of the worst disaster films. If you want to name one of the worst, you may want to look at the recent remake of The Poseiden Adventure.

[–] Ripshin 16 years ago

It's all subjective. I saw the "Poseidon" remake, and yeah, it's lousy, too.

[–] vinnieavenue 16 years ago

As you said, when they realised that the bridge was unsafe they decided to continue the train in the direction knowing that the collapse of the bridge would kill them.

**Accio Harry's virginity!**