the first great train robbery be set in victorian england in 1855 during the crimean war while great britain be at war with imperial russia and to pay the soldier £25 and 000 worth of gold be transport to the crimean peninsula every month start at the london branch of the huddleston and bradford bank and across england by train in two several inch thick safe which require four key to open . no one have ever rob a move train before but suave criminal edward pierce ( sean connery ) and his partner miriam ( lesley anne downe ) come up with an elaborate and daring plan to do just that . each of the four key be store separately so find them and copy them be the first thing edward and his men need to do and then the hard work really start . this british production be write and direct by michael critchton base on his own 1975 novel which be simply title great train robbery and apparently the first be add to the title to distance itself from the real great train robbery of the 60 . the film apparently be a fairly accurate adaptation of the novel although the end be change slightly and a subplot involve a 12 year old prostitute be also drop . base on true event that indeed take place in 1855 the film doesn not really strive for historic accuracy and be a crime caper in the mould of the italian job ( 1969 ) with a charismatic and likable criminal and his gang stag a dare heist to steal lot of gold and a throughly entertaining tale it be too and i have to say i like it a lot . i like the character and sean connery character in particular be very suave and likable and i love the innuendo fill conversation he have with edgar trent wife and donald sutherland key maker agar provide good support although in the book it be he who turn pierce into the police and there plenty of colourful victorian character to flesh the film out as well . the film have a decent pace although it not the most incident pack ever make and the film have lot of great sequence from the tension fill scene where they steal and copy the the key to the exciting climax where pierce have to make his way across the roof of a speeding train . if you like crime heist film then this be one of the best . director crichton do a good job and the film look splendid with sumptuous victorian england production design and i would expect a lot of time effort and energy be spend on make the first great train robbery look so good . animal lover should beware and although not in the uk since it cut and because there a ratting scene where a dog attack some rat . the film showcase both the rich splendour of the wealthy inhabitant of victorian england ( there a great scene early on in a men club where several gent scoff at the idea of woman be able to vote ) and the squalid slum of the poorer inhabitant . there a great attention to detail throughout include a recreation of a flower show hold at crystal palace . with a supposed budget of about £6 and 000 and 000 the film be well make throughout with impressive production value and period design . film in ireland and here in england . the acting be very good with sean connery make a very likable villain but one who also have a dark side when need and british ballet dancer wayne sleep do all his own stunt include scale that prison wall while there be numerous other notable face involve . the first great train robbery wasn not the first by any mean but definitely still stand a a great heist film that have eye catch period detail and a good solid plot and a great cast . a really good film and it as simple and straight forward a that .