The defence The Sentimental Softie
“Sincerity is not manipulation.”
The film risks embarrassment to make emotion communal, and that openness is harder than fashionable detachment.
Back to trending 
The Titfield Thunderbolt
Comedy · 1953
When British Railways announce the closure of the Titfield to Mallingford branch line a group of local residents make a bid to run it themselves, backed by a monied member of the community who is attracted by the complete lack of licensing hours on trains. Unfortunately the local bus company starts to use methods that can hardly be seen as fair competition.
Movie details
The Titfield Thunderbolt
“The Comedy Hit of the Year!”
1953 Comedy 1h 24m
Critical arithmetic
One number, for now.
Scores change. Arguments endure.
TMDB
7.0 / 10
Community rating
When British Railways announce the closure of the Titfield to Mallingford branch line a group of local residents make a bid to run it themselves, backed by a monied member of the community who is attracted by the complete lack of licensing hours on trains. Unfortunately the local bus company starts to use methods that can hardly be seen as fair competition.
CriticWise case file
What this film says about your taste.
Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.
The archetype split
Who fights over The Titfield Thunderbolt?
For the defence
The Sentimental Softie
“You came to feel something, and you will.”
Read their case For the prosecution
The Cool Ironist
“Feeling things is a little embarrassing.”
Read their objectionThe split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.
Taste neighbourhood
Nearby on the taste map.
TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.
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Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas
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Mickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas
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Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp
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Names above the title
The people responsible.
Cast & crew
Directed by
Charles Crichton
Written by
T. E. B. Clarke
Stanley Holloway
Walter Valentine
George Relph
Vicar Sam Weech
Naunton Wayne
George Blakeworth
John Gregson
Squire Gordon Chesterford
Godfrey Tearle
Ollie Matthews (The Bishop)
Hugh Griffith
Dan
Gabrielle Brune
Joan Hampton
Court is in session
Put The Titfield Thunderbolt on trial.
Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.
The prosecution The Cool Ironist
“The strings are showing.”
Every cue tells you exactly what to feel and when, leaving sentiment to do the work character should have done.