For the narrative style of the film, Porter likely drew freely on various recent popular films, made by other filmmakers experimenting with elaborate storytelling. "A Daring Daylight Burglary", a British chase drama from the Sheffield Photo Company, has frequently been cited as particularly influential; it and another British film, "Desperate Poaching Affray", were successfully imported to America and started a decade-long vogue for films centered on chases. "A Daring Daylight Burglary"s story and editing appear to have supplied the overall narrative structure for "The Great Train Robbery", though in the latter film the chase is only made explicit in one shot, the twelfth. Porter's plot also profited from the booming popularity of railroad-related film attractions, such as phantom rides and standalone comic scenes set on trains. "The Great Train Robbery" would treat the rail theme more elaborately than was common, showing its train from various angles and involving it in a dramatic adventure.