From cinema’s earliest origins, such as the Lumière Brothers’ Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat (1896) to contemporary classics like Bong Joon-Ho’s Snowpiercer (2013), trains have been a recurring and poignant motif in film. To kick off a month-long program of hits for cinephiles and trainspotters alike, catch two great train robberies with one of America’s earliest surviving films and a Sean Connery classic.

The Great Train Robbery
1903 | Unclassified – All Ages | 12 mins | DCP | US | D: Edwin S. Porter
Silent with musical score

One of the earliest surviving American movies, The Great Train Robbery pioneered the use of ubiquitous cinema techniques such as close-ups, cross-cutting between simultaneous scenes, and shooting on location.

Released before the establishment of more permanent movie theatres, the film was shown at nickelodeons and vaudeville houses and wowed crowds with cinema spectacle, such as the final scene in which a bandit shoots his gun directly into the audience.

“Edwin S Porter’s short wasn’t the first narrative film, but it introduced several other firsts to the cinematic canon, including title cards, panning shots and an actual script.” – Time Out

Warning: this film contains violence. Viewer discretion is advised.

The Great Train Robbery
1978 | PG | 110 mins | DCP | UK | D: Michael Crichton

Victorian high-society shysters plot to steal a shipment of gold on the London to Folkestone train. Michael Crichton directs this film version of his novel with a cunning plot, thrilling action and character-driven laughs. Sean Connery is the mastermind, Donald Sutherland is the locksmith and Lesley-Anne Down is the seductive accomplice.

”The Great Train Robbery is classy entertainment of the sort I associate exclusively with movies.” – The New York Times

The Great Train Robbery © 1979 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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March

Sat 1 Mar

1:00 PM

Price

$20 Full / $17 Concession

Arc Cinema

1 McCoy Circuit Acton, Australian Capital Territory, 2601

Information

Transport

Accessibility

We are situated in the heart of Canberra on McCoy Circuit, Acton, between the shores of Lake Burley Griffin and the grounds of the Australian National University. Just a 10-minute walk from the city and state bus interchanges.

BY BUS - WEEKDAYS

Note: the NFSA is open daily 10.00am – 4.00pm (except Christmas Day and New Year's Day), and outside those times for special film screenings and events – see our upcoming events calendar.
ON THE NUMBER 6
Route R6 runs between Woden Interchange and City West approximately every 10 to 20 minutes from 5.30am to 11.00pm weekdays. To use this service to visit the NFSA, alight at London Cct after Edinburgh Ave and proceed 600 metres along Gordon Street to the entrance on McCoy circuit.
ON THE NUMBER 53
Route 53 runs between National Museum Lennox Crossing and Dickson Shops Cowper Street on average every 30 minutes from 7.00am to 10.10pm weekdays. Bus alights at Liversidge St behind the NFSA.
Transport Canberra's Routes and Timetables site can help you find the most practical way to our venue (and others).
ON THE CULTURE LOOP FREE SHUTTLE BUS
The free Culture Loop shuttle bus stops at NewActon (on Edinburgh Avenue), within walking distance of the NFSA.

BY BUS - WEEKENDS

Note: the NFSA is open daily 10.00am – 4.00pm (except Christmas Day and New Year's Day), and outside those times for special film screenings and events – see our upcoming events calendar.
ON THE NUMBER 6
Route R6 runs between Woden Interchange and City West approximately every 10 to 20 minutes from 7.00am to 9.00pm weekends and public holidays. To use this service to visit the NFSA, alight at London Cct after Edinburgh Ave and proceed 600 metres along Gordon Street to the entrance on McCoy circuit.
Transport Canberra's Routes and Timetables site can help you find the most practical way to our venue (and others).
ON THE CULTURE LOOP FREE SHUTTLE BUS
The free Culture Loop shuttle bus stops at NewActon (on Edinburgh Avenue), within walking distance of the NFSA.

PARKING

There is dedicated visitor parking on the premises between McCoy Circuit and Ellery Cresent (paid parking, up to three hours). There is also limited free parking surrounding the building on Liversidge Street.
We recommend using public transport in peak times.

Accessible parking is available off McCoy Circuit.
Wheelchair/accessible access via Liversidge Street.