The Village's Treasures

*The Train* is a French-American film directed by John Frankenheimer and released in 1964. It stars Burt Lancaster, Paul Scofield, Jeanne Moreau, and Michel Simon.

In August 1944, Colonel von Waldheim, a great art lover, had the masterpieces from the Jeu de Paume National Gallery evacuated and sent to Germany.

Paul Labiche (Burt Lancaster), a railway worker and member of the Resistance, is tasked with driving the train carrying these works of art. With the help of his fellow Resistance members, he will ensure that the train and the paintings never reach their destination. Thanks to the help of the railroad workers and the Resistance, the train will be diverted so that it never reaches Germany—in particular by altering the station signs.

Filming began in October 1963; scenes from the film were shot in the Eure department, in Pacy-sur-Eure, near Acquigny and Heudreville-sur-Eure, notably the scene where Burt Lancaster climbs the steep slopes of a hill overlooking the tracks. The final derailment scene takes place not far from the Heudreville train station. Most of the extras in these scenes were residents of Acquigny and Heudreville-sur-Eure.

Burt Lancaster took advantage of a day off during filming to go play golf, where he injured his leg. It was decided to add a scene in which Burt Lancaster was hit in the leg by a golf ball so that he could shoot the remaining scenes—in particular, the one where he crosses the Passerelle du Hom.