TERROR TRAIN

“Halloween” on a train

Pre-med students in the Northeast celebrate New Year’s Eve by having a masquerade party on a train, but the festivities are hampered by a mysterious killer on board. Ben Johnson plays the conductor while David Copperfield is on hand as a (what else?) magician.

“Terror Train” (1980) came in the wake of the success of “Halloween” (1978) so you have Jamie Lee Curtis in a similar situation, except on a train. Daniel Grodnik came up with the idea after having a dream that mixed elements of “Halloween” and “Silver Streak” (1976).

Everything is here for an effective traditional slasher. The confined setting of the train is great. Unfortunately, the filmmakers fumble the ball on the writing front. The story’s just not very absorbing; although, thankfully, the last act is relatively compelling, particularly the big reveal.

Copperfield did his own magic tricks, but who cares when it’s a movie where magic can be done via special effects? In other words, magic tricks only work in the live forum. Still, it’s a welcome addition.

Sandee Currie and Joy Boushel are highlights in the feminine department; Vanity’s also on board. But the filmmakers evidently don’t know how to shoot women, no pun intended.

For better examples of horror on a train, see “Horror Express” (1972) and “Train” (2008). The former is a creature feature while the latter is more realistic.

The film runs 1 hour, 37 minutes, and was shot in a warehouse at night in Montreal, except for a certain person’s death scene at the end, which was done in Claremont, New Hampshire, a 3-hour drive southeast from Montreal.

GRADE: C+