The Man Who Watched Trains Go By

The Man Who Watched Trains Go By, also known as Paris Express, is a 1952 British crime film noir with unforgettable performances by Claude Rains, Marta Toren, Herbert Lom, Marius Goring, and Felix Aylmer.

Set in the backdrop of two most scenic locales, Belgium and Paris, the film blends elements of crime, suspense, and drama in a compelling narrative that aims to captivate audiences from beginning to end. Directed by Harold French and written by Paul Jarrico, the film is an adaptation from Georges Simenon's novel, showcasing an ordinary man's undoing lead by a cascade of extraordinary circumstances.

Claude Rains, renowned for his prominent roles in crime dramas, plays the character of Kees Popinga, a quiet and unassuming bookkeeper with a passion for trains. Popinga holds a respectable position at a fearsome Dutch shipping company in Antwerp, Belgium, where he nurtures a fascination with trains, often finding peace just by watching them go by. Unfolding beneath his façade of normalcy, however, lies a ticking time bomb of latent recklessness, waiting to be detonated.

The plot is masterfully gloom-lit with betrayal, when Popinga discovers that his employer, played by the acclaimed Herbert Lom, is involved in criminal activities. The sudden revelation shocks Popinga, shaking his mundane existence and punctuating his idolization with sharp pricks of disillusionment. A sudden turn of events propels him to Paris, where he must confront the seedy underbelly of crime, shattering his hermetically sealed universe.

His life sees another twist when he crosses paths with the beautiful yet enigmatic Michele Rozier, played by Marta Toren. The gentle romance brewing between them further complicates matters for Popinga, who finds himself entwined in a complex web of love, duplicity, and crime. As he battles with elements darker than he ever anticipated, Popinga's character undergoes a transformation that forms the crux of the film.

The Man Who Watched Trains Go By is a roller-coaster ride of a movie, Cornish landscapes and claustrophobic Parisian streets capturing the spiraling descent of a man from a world of neat numbers and predictable timetables into one of chaos and uncertainty. Simenon's tightly woven narrative, compelling characters, and intricate subplots make the film a captivating view.

While the narrative centers on Popinga, all the other characters play pivotal roles in pushing the story forward. Herbert Lom skillfully plays the character of Julius de Koster Jr., Popinga's employer. Lom's performance as the complex persona with double standards leaves a lasting impression in the minds of the audience. Michele Rozier, executed remarkably by Marta Toren, is another interesting character that adds a layer of thrill to the plot's fabric. Her mysterious past and indecipherable intentions keep the viewers engrossed till the end.

The film's exceptional cinematography enhances the viewing experience, offering several eye-catching scenes bathed in a variety of hues. The film also successfully reflects the undertones of the grim world of crime, thus amplifying the sense of unease and tension.

In essence, The Man Who Watched Trains Go By spins a riveting tale of an ordinary man descending into a whirlpool of chaos and crime. The film captures Popinga’s transformation, from a simple-minded bookkeeper to an unwitting fugitive. Claude Rains' highly impressive performance combined with a powerful screen-adaptation by Paul Jarrico, has made this film a must-watch. Dramatic cinematography, compelling narrative, and intense performances culminate into a heart-stopping thrill ride, making this film an unforgettable classic of the noir genre.