CIA agent Harry Wargrave is sent to aid Gen. Marenkov, a senior Russian official, who is defecting to the west. Wargrave decides they should travel to safety on a train across Europe, the "Atlantic Express". During the journey, they must survive attacks by terrorists and an avalanche, all planned by Russian spy-catcher Nikolai Bunin.
Acting
Lee Marvin's granite gravitas vs. Robert Shaw's theatrical Russian
Practical Effects
Real train stunts and avalanche effects pre-CGI
Director
Mark Robson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Mark Robson died of a heart attack during post-production; the film was completed by second-unit director Monte Hellman without credit.
Joe Namath's casting as Leroy was pure 70s stunt casting — the football legend reportedly needed 27 takes for some scenes.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
IE
US
