Leofwine_draca CASABLANCA EXPRESS is a last-ditch Italian WW2 film, actually shot in Casablanca in part and set on a train for much of the running time. It comes to us courtesy of Sergio Martino, a man who has created films like THE CASE OF THE SCORPION'S TAIL and MOUNTAIN OF THE CANNIBAL GOD throughout a lengthy career, though it's undoubtedly one of his lesser efforts.The story is about Winston Churchill embarking on a train journey and the attempts by the Nazis to have him assassinated en route. Thankfully, the powers that be employ some top counter-agents to fight off the threat, and the stage is set for plentiful action. What a pity, then, that the film turns out to be so cheap, shoddy and inept, fumbling what should be suspenseful action sequences and generally proving to be less than enthralling.CASABLANCA EXPRESS boasts not one but two offspring of famous movie stars; Jason Connery, son of Sean, is the wooden lead, while Francesco Quinn, son of Anthony, supports him. A trio of famous names - Jean Sorel, Donald Pleasence, and Glenn Ford - feature heavily on the cast list and advertising, but are largely limited to those 'sitting around talking' type roles that are included for tokenism. There's a nice little role for STAGE FRIGHT's David Brandon, though. This film also features the worst Chuchill lookalike after ever.If CASABLANCA EXPRESS had featured halfway decent action and suspense scenes it might have been good, but it all feels quite inept. There isn't a great deal of realism here, a lot of the acting is over the top, and the shoot-outs and explosions do look very staged.

Michael O'Keefe This engaging war drama takes place in 1942 with the conflict between the U.S. and Germany revving up. Two sons of famous fathers, Jason Connery and Francesco Quinn, star as U.S. intelligence discovers that Nazi commandos have plans to kidnap British Prime Minister Winston Churchill as he leaves a meeting in Casablanca. When it is learned that there is a spy tipping off Churchill's movements; protection beefs up and the method of transportation changes. Some suspense and tension along with war violence sustains the 90 minutes running time. There may be questions concerning historic accuracy; but this flick does make good for a lazy weekend afternoon viewing. Sergio Martino directs a cast that also features: Glen Ford, Jinny Steffan, Giovanni Tamberi, Jean Sorel and Donald Pleasence.

blanche-2 This film was on a DVD with another film, "The Swiss Conspiracy," so comparisons are inevitable. I gave this a 6 because I thought it was better than "The Swiss Conspiracy." Which isn't saying much. But I actually liked this film a little better than most of the other people who commented on this board.Its stars are Jason Connery, son of Sean, and Francesco Quinn, son of Anthony, along with Glenn Ford, Donald Pleasance, Jean Sorel and Jinny Stefan. One thing that made me deeply regret watching this film was that I had never seen Glenn Ford in anything he did after Superman - until this 1989 movie. Though I give him credit for not wearing a hairpiece or getting a face lift, his appearance was an unwelcome shock.The story concerns getting Churchill to Casablanca via train. I am not the World War II expert that some of the other reviewers here are, so I can't speak to the inaccuracies. I found the action sequences, especially those concerning the train, exciting, suspenseful, and well directed. One thing that was somewhat stupid - one of the Germans goes through the train, shooting anybody in his way - we're talking men, women, or children. Then he tells his commander that one man, whose dead body the commander sees, came after him and he had to shoot in self defense. "I told you not to kill any civilians," the commander says. So much for following orders - there was hardly anyone left alive or not wounded on the entire train of civilians! As for the rest of the movie, forget it. I didn't feel that Quinn or Connery had any charisma or acting ability, though I notice that both men continue to rack up jobs. However, they are very handsome. Connery and Tyrone Power Jr. (who isn't in this) seem to come from the same Star Children Acting Academy - when they don't know what to do, they shake their heads and tighten their lips as a reaction to some event. This normally means that the camera is on them when they have no dialogue, and they think they have to do something. They do, but on film, often an internal thought that expresses itself in the eyes is better. Sometimes less is more. Of course, less can be less, too. Connery did this grimace/head business constantly, never changing expression.The film had that grainy, cheap look to it and poor color. Possibly the people in this movie have moved up to better quality projects. I don't know whether that's a good or a bad thing.

alumni72 ...but I'll try anyway.I got this movie in a package containing a dozen WW2 movies and documentaries, all for about $14.99. While the packaging didn't advertise the fact, I am convinced it was originally marketed as The World's Worst WW2 Movies - while this may be the worst of the lot, it isn't by much.The actor playing Winston Churchill looks so unlike him that in closeups they only show his hand holding a cigar - the voice is close enough that, combined with the cigar, you can figure out who it is supposed to be, though. And for shots from farther away, the actor is never shown head-on; only in profile or looking away at an angle.The plot makes absolutely no sense, and how Glenn Ford and Donald Pleasence got roped into taking part in this travesty is beyond me.The only decent part of the movie is.........wait - I apologize. There IS no decent part of this movie. If you paid even a penny to see this movie, you got robbed! And if you saw it for free - you're within your rights to ask for your 90 minutes back.