The Great Train Robbery (2013 TV series)
Two-part drama on the 1963 Great Train Robbery.
This 2013 BBC One drama, written by Chris Chibnall, splits its two episodes between the robbers and the police. The first part covers the planning and execution of the 1963 heist, while the second follows the ensuing manhunt. Kew Media handles global distribution.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Crime drama
- Based on
- Great Train Robbery
- Writer
- Chris Chibnall
- Director
- Julian Jarrold; James Strong
- Starring
- Luke Evans
- Jim Broadbent
- Paul Anderson
- Jack Roth
- Martin Compston
- Neil Maskell
- Del Synnott
- Nicholas Murchie
- Theme music
- Paul Englishby; Glenn Gregory
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Plot
A Robber's Tale begins in November 1962 at London Heathrow Airport, where Bruce Reynolds gathers a group to target the Royal Mail train from Glasgow to London. A Copper's Tale starts on 8 August 1963 after the robbery, with DCS Tommy Butler leading six Scotland Yard officers in the investigation.
Production
The series was commissioned by Ben Stephenson and Danny Cohen, with executive producers Simon Heath and Polly Hill, and producer Julia Stannard. Originally scheduled for August 2013, broadcast was postponed to December due to scheduling. The production was inspired by Robert Ryan's book Signal Red. Filming began in Yorkshire in March 2013, using locations including Leeds city centre, the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, Bradford, Shipley, Haworth, Goole, and Filey (standing in for Torquay). A British Rail Class 37 represented the actual Class 40 locomotive. The BBC cited Yorkshire as the most cost-effective and realistic alternative.
Reception
Cheshire Today reported criticism that the series glorified criminals. Overnight figures gave A Robber's Tale a 23.2% audience share and 5.23 million viewers; A Copper's Tale had 23.1% and 4.95 million. Reviews were mixed: Metro's Keith Watson awarded two stars, while The Daily Telegraph's Tom Rowley gave four stars. The Guardian's Sam Wollaston praised the gang dynamic. The series received a BAFTA nomination in 2014.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who stars in The Great Train Robbery (2013 TV series)?
The Great Train Robbery stars Luke Evans, Jim Broadbent, Paul Anderson, Jack Roth, Martin Compston, Neil Maskell, Del Synnott and Nicholas Murchie.
When did The Great Train Robbery (2013 TV series) first air?
The Great Train Robbery first aired on 18 December 2013.
When did The Great Train Robbery (2013 TV series) end?
The Great Train Robbery last aired on 19 December 2013.
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