The Last Journey

Step aboard the cinematic journey of a lifetime with 'The Last Journey' (1935), directed by the visionary Bernard Vorhaus. Set against the backdrop of a thrilling train expedition, this forgotten gem of the silver screen takes audiences on a pulse-pounding ride filled with suspense, intrigue, and unexpected twists.

As the locomotive hurtles through the picturesque countryside, tensions run high among the eclectic group of passengers onboard. Vorhaus masterfully crafts a narrative that delves into the depths of human nature, exploring themes of love, betrayal, and redemption against the backdrop of a rapidly unfolding mystery.

The ensemble cast delivers powerhouse performances, bringing to life a diverse array of characters with their own secrets and motivations. From the enigmatic stranger to the star-crossed lovers, each passenger adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, keeping viewers guessing until the final frame.

What truly sets 'The Last Journey' apart is its ability to keep audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Vorhaus expertly ratchets up the tension with each passing moment, building to a heart-stopping climax that will leave viewers breathless.

With its timeless themes and captivating storytelling, 'The Last Journey' remains as riveting today as it was upon its release nearly a century ago. So, climb aboard and experience the thrill of the ride - you won't want to miss this unforgettable journey through cinematic history. 👍👍

In the spring of 1986 I enjoyed the pleasure of sitting in a large audience on London's South Bank thoroughly lapping up this Twickenham quickie dynamically directed by Bernard Vorhaus who was actually there to introduce the film.

Vorhaus singled out for praise the unique Sydney Fairebrother, his one major regret being making a passenger's stutter a source of humour; while Elliot Makeham is cast spectacularly against type as a "dirty little rat" in a bowler.

Although only an hour long, The Last Journey is a very gripping vintage British thriller.

A train driver, just about to undertake his last job before retiring discovers his fireman is having an affair with his wife, so he takes a gun and threatens him with it and he forces him to keep putting coal into the fire to make the loco go faster. As a result, the train misses all its stops and arrives at its destination early. One of the passengers manages to get the driver to slow down. There is a rather motley collection of passengers on board including a newly married couple on honeymoon, a pair of crooks, a woman who tells everyone not to drink alcohol, a couple with some very lively children, a Frenchman and a lone boy.

Despite its low budget and age, I enjoyed watching this movie. It is available in the UK on VHS as a double feature with The Ghost Camera.

A must for all vintage movie fans and also rail enthusiasts. Excellent.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

On his last few days employed as an engine driver on an express train before he retires, Bob (Julien Mitchell) is not exactly looking forward to retirement and suspects his wife (Olga Lindo) of having an affair with a friend and colleague and plots his revenge, putting the lives of his passengers and everyone else in danger.

An interesting, if at times questionable action melodrama that leads to an exciting lengthy climax.

A definite must for railway buffs (in fact it would easily figure on the top ten), thanks to the wholehearted co-operation of the Great Western Railway which has produced some absolutely staggering scenes and effects. Aside from a bit of obvious under cranking right at the very beginning of the movie, technical credits are extremely proficient. Direction and camera-work strike even a casual viewer as especially skillful. The script is serviceable enough too, though some of the players, particularly Julien Mitchell as the mad engineer, are inclined to over-do things a little. Olga Lindo is also a bit of a pain as the overly sympathetic wife, but that's the fault of the script. Judy Gunn makes a pleasant heroine, and it's nice to see Eve Gray laying on the charm as a confidence girl.