The Great Train Robbery

Motion Picture Film

Length 740 feet, Class A

Price $111.00 (in 1903)

This sensational and highly tragic subject has certainly made a "hit" whenever shown. In every respect we consider it absolutely the superior of any other moving picture film made. It has been posed and acted in faithful duplication of the genuine "Hold Ups" made famous by various outlaw bands in the far West, and only recently the East has been shocked by several crimes of the frontier order, which fact will increase the popular interest in this Headline Attraction.

Scene I. "Sending the False Order Under Compulsion"

Interior of the railroad telegraph office; two masked robbers enter and compel the operator to set the "signal block" to stop the approaching train, also making him write a fictitious order to the engineer to take on water at this station. The train comes to a stand still; conductor comes to the window, and the frightened operator delivers the order. No sooner does the conductor leave than they fall upon the operator, bind and gag him, then hastily depart to catch the moving train.

Scene II. "The Bandits Board the Train"

Railroad water tank. The bandit band are seen hiding behind the tank as the train stops to take water (under false order dictated as seen in Scene I). Just before she pulls out the stealthily board the train between the express car and the tender.

Scene III. "The Bandits Break Into the Express Car"

Interior of the express car. Messenger is engaged with his duties. Becoming alarmed at an unusual sound, he goes to the door, and peeping through the key hole, discovers two men trying to break in. He starts back in a bewildered manner; quickly recovering, his first thought is of the valuables in the strong box, which he hastily locks, then throws the key through the open side door. Pulling his revolver he fortifies himself behind a pile of trunks. In the meantime the two robbers have succeeded in effecting an entrance; the messenger opens fire on them; a desperate duel takes place in which the messenger is killed. One of the robbers blows up the safe with dynamite. After securing the valuables and mail bags they leave the car.

Scene III. continued "Rifling of the Safe"

Scene IV. "The Fight on the Tender"

This thrilling scene was taken from the mail car showing the tender and interior of locomotive cab, while the train is running at forty miles an hour. Some of the bandits robbing the mail car, others are seen climbing over the tender, one of them holding up the engineer, the other covering the fireman who secures a coal shovel and climbs up on the tender where a desperate fight takes place. They struggle fiercely, having several narrow escapes from being hurled over the side of the tender. Finally they fall, with the robber on top. He grabs a lump of coal, and strikes the fireman on the head rendering him senseless. He then hurls the body from the swiftly moving train. The bandits then compel the engineer to bring the train to a stop.

Scene IV. continued "The Fireman Conquered"

Scene V.

Shows the train coming to a stop; the engineer leaving the locomotive, uncoupling it from the train, then pulling ahead about one hundred feet in the face of the robbers pistols.

Scene VI.

Exterior of the passenger coaches. The bandits compel the passengers to leave the coaches with hands up, and line up along the tracks; one of the robbers covers them with pistols in either hand, while the others ransack the traveler's pockets. A passenger makes an attempt to escape but is instantly shot down. After securing everything of value, the band terrorize the passengers by firing their revolvers into the air, then make their safe escape on the locomotive.

Scene VII. "Removing the Booty from Engine Car"

The Desperados board the locomotive with their booty, command the engineer to start his machine, and then disappear in the distance.

Scene VIII.

The robbers bring the engine to a stop several miles from the scene of the "Hold Up", and take to the mountains.

Scene IX

A beautiful scene in a valley. The robbers come down the side of a hill crossing a narrow stream. Mounting their horses, which were tied to nearby trees, they vanish into the wilderness.

Scene X.

Interior of the telegraph office. The operator lies bound and gagged on the floor. After a desperate struggle he succeeds in standing up. Leaning on the table, he telegraphs for assistance by manipulating the key with his chin and then faints from exhaustion. His little daughter enters with his dinner pail. Discovering his condition, she cuts the ropes and throwing a glass of water in his face restores him to consciousness; arousing in a bewildered manner he suddenly recalls his thrilling experience, and rushes forth to summon assistance.

Scene XI

Interior of a dance hall. This typical western dance house scene shows a large number of men and women in a lively quadrille, when a "Tenderfoot" appears upon the scene, who is quickly spotted, pushed to the center of the hall, and compelled to do a jig, while the bystanders amuse themselves by shooting dangerously close to his feet. Suddenly the door opens and the half dead telegraph operator staggers in. The crowd gather around him, while he relates what has happened. Immediately the dance breaks up in confusion. The men secure their guns and hastily leave in pursuit of the Outlaws.

Scene XII

Shows the robbers mounted dashing down a rugged hill at a terrible pace, followed closely by a large posse, both parties firing as they proceed. One of the desperados is shot and plunges head-first from his horse. Staggering to his feet he fires at the nearest pursuer, only to be shot dead.

Scene XIII "The Battle Commences"

The remaining three bandits, thinking they have eluded their pursuers, have dismounted from their horses. After carefully surveying their surroundings, they begin to examine the contents of the mail bags. Grossly engaged in their work, they do not realize the approaching danger until too late. The pursuers, having left their horses, steal noiselessly down upon them until they are completely surrounded. A desperate battle then takes place, and after a brave stand the robbers and several of the posse bite the dust.

Scene XIII. continued "Making a Fight for It"

Scene XIV.

A life size picture of Barnes, leader of the outlaw band, taking aim and firing point blank at each individual in the audience. (This effect is gained by foreshortening in making the picture.) The resulting excitement is great. This section of the scene can be used either to begin the subject or to end it, as the operator may choose.

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