Last Passenger

Plot synopsis:
Lewis Shaler (Dougray Scott) is a doctor and widower heading home with his young son Max (Joshua Kaynama) on a late-night train from London heading to Tunbridge Wells. Max accidentally causes fellow passenger Sarah Barwell (Kara Tointon) to spill coffee on her coat, prompting Shaler to apologize to Barwell. The interaction is the beginning of a romantic connection between the two.
Later, while the train is stationary, Shaler notices an unidentifiable man tampering with the train's brakes. As the train begins to move again he sees another man crawling across the tracks. On investigation, Shaler discovers the conductor has vanished.
Soon after, as the train approaches Shaler's home station, Barwell kisses Shaler and asks him to call her, however Shaler is distracted by the train bypassing his stop. Shaler tries to contact the driver on the intercom, but the driver only speaks to ask how many passengers are left on board. Shaler and fellow passenger Peter Carmichael pull numerous emergency brake cords to no effect. It dawns on Shaler and Carmichael that the driver intends to kill himself and his passengers and, along with fellow passenger Klimowski (who Carmichael originally suspected of involvement), attempt unsuccessfully to stop the train using the rear hand brake.
After the train continues past Tunbridge Wells, the train collides with a vehicle at a level crossing as the train is traveling too fast to activate the gates and lights. It kills all the occupants inside the vehicle instantly and fiercely jolts the passengers. The crash also causes one of the six remaining passengers to suffer a heart attack, and Shaler is unable to revive her. Klimowski and Shaler then work together in an attempt to break into the driver’s compartment using a fire extinguisher as battering ram, but their efforts are unsuccessful due to the reinforced door.
Klimowski attempts to decouple the train carriages by climbing outside, but this dangerous gambit is cut short by an approaching single-track tunnel. Shaler saves Klimowski by pulling him back on board a moment before the open door's impact with the tunnel. It transpires that the police have laid an ineffective blockade in the tunnel which only momentarily stops the train, and none of the passengers can open the doors due to the narrowness of the tunnel.
Suspecting that they are now close to a destructive collision with the Hastings station buffers, Shaler creates an improvised explosive using the last remaining fire extinguisher. The explosion causes enough damage for Shaler, with help of Carmichael, to de-couple the carriages, however Carmichael falls through the gap in the carriages and is killed instantly. The burning carriages separate as they speed through a suburban station where police officers watch helplessly as the train rushes through with the end car trailing not too far behind. Shaler is left on the front car whilst, Klimowski and Barwell attempt to stop their own carriage with the hand brake at the rear. With the train continuing to burn around him, Shaler takes a moment to compose himself, before running and leaping from the carriage as it explodes, possibly killing the driver and immediately engaging the brakes. The front carriage of the train finally screeches to a stop just in front of the camera and shows the headlight going off for good.
Shaler is discovered alive and conscious by Barwell, Max and Klimowski while a helicopter circles over the burning wreckage of the train in the distance. The identity of the driver and his/her motivations for committing a murder-suicide are left unknown.

Tags: suspenseful

Review:
The number of passengers on board dwindles to an eclectic few, seemingly in real time, before this familiar and very British late train to Kent is invaded by the plot of a Hollywood Blockbuster.
And this merger is the heart and soul of the piece – a 'what if?' scenario that sneaks out of nowhere, pulling the rug on what you thought you were watching.If I had to level any major criticism it would be that the films ultimate ambitions are occasionally betrayed by its lack of budget, but don't let that put you off – a number of creative decisions were probably based around what couldn't be afforded and, in my opinion, are improved by the inability to throw lavish visual effects at the screen.
What we are left with is a taut, claustrophobic thriller that's hard to second guess.The film makers influences are easy to spot, the 'Dual' like scenario and the rattling interplay between a collection of disparate ('Jaws'- like) characters screams early Spielberg, whilst the slow build of simmering tension, as the reality of the situation takes hold, evokes the sensibilities of Hitchcock, as does the Herrmann-esque score.
This is a thriller that takes its time to present a credible realism – all the better so that when the brief flashes of chaos and action do erupt we are invested in the characters lives and the predicament they face becomes a life threatening battle for survival with, only too real, motive and consequence.
In fact the cast seem uniformly intent on selling the danger and urgency of the piece.All in all, I found Last Passenger to be a thoroughly entertaining film that I'll be seeking out again when it's released on the big screen in the UK..
The widow Dr. Lewis Shaler (Dougray Scott) and his son Max (Joshua Kaynama) are traveling late night by train to London.
Lewis contacts the passengers Jan Klimowski (Iddo Goldberg), Peter Carmichael (David Schofield) and Elaine Middleton (Lindsay Duncan) and they team-up expecting to stop the train.
The story takes place in a train along 97 minutes running time and is never boring.
From the start Last Passenger feels like the kind of suspense film you don't see any more.
What ensues is reasonably good given the set-up, with plenty of suspense and low-rent heroics as those trapped try to work out a way to improve their situation.One of the real strengths of LAST PASSENGER lies in the calibre of the cast members.
While "Last Passenger" isn't the be-all and end-all of action/adventure films, it was certainly entertaining and exciting.Most of these types of films, including high-end James Bond movies, have pretty preposterous plots and action sequences.
The average person doesn't know that.This is a wild film, highly improbable, and thrilling, with attractive stars Dougray Scott and Kara Toinin.
I enjoyed all the acting, even if the little boy here is no Leonardo di Caprio in the making.I get a little tired of people criticizing films as if, for instance, a movie like this is supposed to be Citizen Kane when it isn't.
When I look at IMDb reviews, those are the films that are hailed as "classics" that "demand multiple viewings." Well, David Lynch movies might demand multiple viewings, but others don't -- by me, anyway, since often I can't through five minutes of them.
It is exciting, full of suspense, great acting and a good script, keeps you wondering all the time.
So pleased we did as its very enjoyable gripping drama, it had some great character build up at the start and from then the tension built to a good climax.I thought the camera angles was excellent (like a scene with someone battering a door and the camera followed each ram) and the effects were spot on without being to over the top.On the whole a really enjoyable movie with good acting its just a shame a movie like this is not as well received as some of the big Hollywood movies that are sometimes a huge let-down.
Yes, there are many ways the train could be slowed and stopped by outsiders, and yes, some of what went on was not realistic, and yes, there are technical things which a rail-enthusiast pedant would object to.However, I found it thoroughly enjoyable and at times edge-of-seat.
Last Passenger reminds me of movies like, "The taking of Pelham 123" and "The Cassandra Crossing", although the story in this is somewhat different, the similarity is being helplessly captive on a train.A small cast of characters and a tight script.
Without giving anything away and me being a stickler for reality even in the most unrealistic of movies this runaway train would have fallen into the English Channel by the time the passengers did their stuff.Before the film gets going (between London and Tunbridge Wells)a journey that takes less than an hour and they have had a few good kips in between like they are crossing Canada instead of south east England!
Instead, what we have here is a kind of 'Speed' film.Dougray Scott plays a single father, who's taking his young son on the train just before Christmas.
Unfortunately for him and the handful of passengers left on board (including the single female of appropriate age who just so happens to find single fathers REALLY attractive), the train refuses to stop and they must work out a way of getting off before it smashes into whatever there is at the end of train tracks in Britain (a wall of spikes, perhaps?
Effectively, the few passengers left on board could just sit around in relative comfort for most of the movie, only really needing to figure out a way of getting off five minutes before the end.
If you're bored of zombies, gangsters and found footage B-movies you may enjoy this one (just don't dwell on the slightly dodgy computer special effects when the train catches fire).http://thewrongtreemoviereviews.blogspot.co.uk/.
This is not to say The Last Passenger is a bad film but it certainly isn't a good one.Dougray Scott is a very under-rated actor who I feel is always watchable and he is a solid lead here, but there isn't much for him to get his teeth into.Reality contestant and lads mag favourite Kara Tointon is the latest blonde of the moment to try her hand at acting.
I suppose its inevitable that low budget independent movies will employ "celebrities" to get funding but its a shame they let down the project's ambitions.I enjoyed the leisurely pacing at the start, the time devoted to setting up the characters and the wait for it all To Go Wrong.
But when it does the pacing remains very slow, which, combined with the somewhat abstract nature of the threat means the movie drags.I applaud the film makers for trying something different but would urge them not to proceed before the script is tighter.The Last Passenger feels like a TV movie and it feels the kind of thing that would turn up on Channel Five one afternoon.
By that time SPAD (Signal Passed at Danger) technology was in effect across the BR Network so the train would have been stopped automatically when it failed to stop at Tonbridge.In addition the dialogue was crap and in my view it had no convincing story line, was technically inaccurate and got nowhere near the icon of the genre (IMHO) - The Taking of Pelham 123.
Kara Tointon for all her looks has a silly grin throughout this movie and quite simply cannot act.Dougray Scott just about holds the whole sorry story together.The rest of the cast are sad indeed.A note to the director...You cannot possibly create a suspenseful film without decent acting It just does not work That is all I have to say.
Painful would be the best way to describe this movie, I cannot understand why a movie like this would be released in the wake of 'The Taking of Pelham 123', it is just total crap.There have been many movies in regards to out of control trains, but with what seems like a budget of $1.50 this was still a waste of money.Truly anyone who has seen The Taking of Pelham 123 would not write a favorable review for this film, and to be totally honest Denzel Washington's incarnation of a train movie wasn't brilliant either, that being said I could at least sit through it a second time, but not for this (Last Passenger) rubbish.You would think with all of the train movies that have been done over the years the producers of this movie would at the very least try to equal their rivals, however it seems they just want their rivals to look good.The entire movie looks and feels like a very bad 1960's incarnation of a train movie, the music is like something out of a Hitchcock thriller.The only good thing about this movie was the end credits.If you see this movie advertised somewhere, RUN!.Bloody dismal.
The budget isn't adequate to realise a thriller like this.Dougray Scott is good as usual and gives a performance far better than this tripe deserves.
Thought it would be more action packed based on the poster, But it was mores suspenseful like Duel on a train or the Hitcher on a train.A weird story about an unknown villain who hijacks a train that still has 6 passengers on it as the train speeds its way to the last stop.
Well if your idea of good movies are some Hollywood concoction where a decent script and decent acting is replaced with ridiculous special effects every five minutes then I guess you might feel that way.Personally I would say that this is a decent movie.
Set on a train, our film focuses on Dr. Lewis (Dougray Scott) and his son Max who are traveling to their next destination late at night.
The doctor's plans for the evening are suddenly "derailed" when he and the small group of remaining passengers discover the train is no long stopping at any of the stations and it is speeding up.
It's now up to a small group of passengers to work together and either find a way off the train or stop the unknown train driver who is behind this cruel plan.One element I really enjoyed with this film was the easy setup and introduction of its characters, including our leading hero.
Watching these characters working together and trying to figure out what's going on with the train is fun to see.
As far as the audio and visuals are concerned, the film feels more like a B Grade (or midday movie kinda film) and if you have that expectation, there are elements here that can be enjoyed.That being said, the film's focus is with the characters located on the train and not the villain (aka the train driver).
The primary plot is simply about the characters trying to stop the train or get off it, which is great, but I was hoping to know more about the reasoning behind it all.Overall, Last Passenger is an entertaining and yet harmless B Grade film.
This film just has the appearance of one that the cast enjoyed making and genuinely liked working together.
As an ex-railway man and lifelong rail enthusiast, I'm drawn to any film that features British trains and, good or bad, simply have to see them myself.
Serious viewers will pass it over as silly, but any time the critics like an action picture so much more than the ordinary reviewers, you should know to whom it will appeal.Please see this film if you like to consider weighty subjects like death and the meaning of life after someone you love dies.
Presumably British producer UK FILM COUNCIL (THE IRON LADY, MY WEEK WITH MARILYN) had the same impression and took care of the financial side.LAST PASSENGER has the spectator witness the helpless interactions of a group of panic stricken travellers doing their utmost to regain control of the train gone high speed coffin and prevent it from killing everybody.
Sure, in the beginning the people aboard fall victim to ye olde behavioural patterns seen in many a genre trip before but over the course of the film the plot takes a healthy turn and the rare occurrence of an ensemble cast without a total jerk in their midst can be spotted.
"Last Passenger" begins with a doctor (Dougray Scott) and his son (Joshua Kaynama) getting on a train in England.
They soon strike up a conversation with a very lovely young lady (Kara Tointon) and it really looks like it's going to be a romance film.
IMHO, it's the single best thing about this film.I liked all the characters.
The Last Passenger Rides On Full Suspense & Drama Train & Delivers It. Starting Dougray Scott Tsp is a well made film from start to finish it was handled extremely well.the concept is old but presented in a superb manner.if you can get what i typed one my title summary you know what i mean about this film.i saw this film few weeks back in Pakistan on May 15 i guess its not released yet in other countries like USA.Singapore & others till 13 august as IMDb says i guess.critics are waiting to grab this movie but ill say that this is purely a audience entertainer.plot is about some passengers takes train back home but someone has other plans for everyone on board.lewis suspicion rises on driver as hes traveling with his son.what i like in movies is story buildup & how it takes itself to the climax, director Omid Nooshin did the best here & surpassed expectations.this film runs on full suspense & drama with characters suspecting each other when i saw the climax it blew me away its not your usual nonsense Hollywood film its got a very different ending.the cast includes Dougray Scott(Mi2) now what can i say about him he was amazing as always,Kara Tointon was great addition its the first film i saw of her will look out her films from now on other cast members did good job with their characters.dialogs & chemistry was fine hereid say if you want to enjoy any film then please don't look at critics reviews they ruin a film.this is a well made film of 2013 low budget & shows great talent,there is some action at the end but i saw a different poster of this film with Scott running with a revolver it was misleading,its a age of new movies somehow the team manged to do something that many other filmmakers failed to do so,its this types of films when i see & then i want more of this stuff because of no antagonist & protagonist theme involved it gets named a genre of its own one of a kind id say.movies like unstoppable & under siege 2 are quite similar popular b movies.my rating is 10/10 all points i am honest here.i enjoyed it i saw die hard 5 & its was quite weird what they have done to that franchise, i am not saying that it will give a push to Dougray Scott's acting career but its still a nice addition for fans.overall last passenger provides great entertainment & takes a name in my list of good suspense films.wins me over & i loved it.go for this because its recommended.
She flirts with him from the off, which is of course what all beautiful professional women do on London commuter trains – flirt with total strangers!Of course I'm forgetting he tells her he is a doctor and has a little boy with him (I must try that then) but it still seemed too simple, too straightforward, almost as if they wanted to create their relationship immediately and get it out of the way, which, when it's two of your main protagonists I think is a mistake.The other characters are a bit 'cut out and keep' as well and I didn't really see the point of Lesley Duncan, she seemed to be solely there to die!
Another reviewer poured scorn over the train details (agut-65-912139) and I am pouring scorn over the plot and the acting performances.This movie is supposed to be a thriller the first half an hour is trying and failing to show that the characters are human.
I have seen speed.Really I could not work out why what should have been such a taught thriller was so boring, then I remembered that I do not like Scott.
So here is the story a train is taken over by a deranged person and driven at high speed while half a dozen people try to stop it.
Surgeon Lewis Shaler (Dougray Scott) is together with his son Max (Joshua Kaynama) on the way home with a night train.
No doubt she looks the part.The film is a bit of a slow-burner - taking at least 45 minutes to get to the meat of what's going-on.I like the idea of Iddo Goldberg's character in the film(Jan Klimowski).
Dr. Lewis Shaler (Dougray Scott) is riding a late night London train with his seven year old son Max (Joshua Kaynama) Max is a bit rambunctious and through him he meets another passenger, the flirty Sarah (Kara Tointon).
Several reviewers have described Kara Tointon, the fetching young woman who meets the handsome doctor, Dougray Scott, on the train from London to Hasting as "flirtatious." This is a blot on the character's virtue.
"Lewis Shaler" (Dougray Scott) is a doctor who is on his way to a hospital at night and decides to take the train to get there.
Also on the train is a fellow passenger named "Sarah Barwell" (Kara Tointon) who strikes up a conversation with Lewis along the way.
Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that, while this certainly wasn't a great movie by any means, the director (Omid Nooshin) managed to maintain the suspense and used the rather limited cast in a sufficient manner to produce a fairly entertaining film none-the-less.