The Train Robbers
A grizzled ex-soldier leads a bickering crew across Texas and Mexico to recover stolen train gold while outlaws and opportunists close in.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- amiable
- suspenseful
- classic western marathon
- lazy afternoon
What critics said
Critics generally found it an amiable, traditionally made John Wayne western with balanced action, comedy, and humanism, though some felt its pleasantness outweighed its dramatic substance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film presents an amiable John Wayne-led adventure in which veterans, outlaws, hired gunmen, and frontier justice follow familiar western conventions.
Lane and his companions escort Mrs. Lowe to her late husband’s hidden train-robbery gold while rival gang members and gunmen track them.
Lane, Jesse, and Grady are aging Union veterans whose muttering, bickering, and command friction shape the film’s comic texture.
Critics specifically highlighted Burt Kennedy’s visual approach to John Wayne and the gleaming persistence of Wayne’s western persona.
Films like The Train Robbers, and why
Rio Lobo
traditional western adventure with an aging gunfighter, camaraderie, horse chases, shootouts, and understated humor
El Dorado
john wayne western built around a veteran leader, a small band of companions, frontier action, and an amiable traditional tone
The War Wagon
classic western ensemble pursuing stolen wealth amid rival gunmen, dry comedy, and a relaxed action rhythm
Movie Details
- Director
- Burt Kennedy
- Release Date
- 1973-02-01
- Runtime
- 92 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (157)
Cast
- John Wayne
- Ann-Margret
- Rod Taylor
- Ben Johnson
- Christopher George
- Bobby Vinton
- Jerry Gatlin
- Ricardo Montalban
- Ralph Volkie
- Dennis Falt
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Train Robbers about?
- A grizzled ex-soldier leads a bickering crew across Texas and Mexico to recover stolen train gold while outlaws and opportunists close in.
- What is The Train Robbers like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Train Robbers as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Train Robbers violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Train Robbers as mild.
- What did critics think of The Train Robbers?
- Critics generally found it an amiable, traditionally made John Wayne western with balanced action, comedy, and humanism, though some felt its pleasantness outweighed its dramatic substance.
- Which films are like The Train Robbers?
- Films with a similar feel include Rio Lobo, El Dorado, and The War Wagon.
- How long is The Train Robbers?
- The Train Robbers runs 92 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Train Robbers?
- In United States, The Train Robbers is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
