Anthony Sherwood, Ben Johnson, David Copperfield

A fraternity prank goes wrong and lands one student in a mental institution. Four years later, when his frat brothers host a costume party on a train to celebrate their graduation, the student sees th...( read more  read more... )is as his opportunity to exact revenge. He sneaks on the train and begins killing the partygoers one at a time, masking himself in the costumes of his victims. Will anyone make it off the train alive? Features Jamie Lee Curtis and David Copperfield.

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44% liked it

4,326 ratings

R

Directed by: Roger Spottiswoode

Release Date: January 1, 1980

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DVD Release Date: September 7, 2004

Stats: 185 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (185)


  • September 8, 2009
    Jamie Lee Curtis was once again cementing her status as the Scream Queen, after the successes of "Halloween", "The Fog" and "Prom Night", but this one unfortunately wasn't as successful as the previous ones and remains the least remembered. But that doesn't mean that this movie i...( read more)s bad. A Slasher movie set on a train is something different I suppose, which makes Terror Train a stylish and inventive and really makes the most of it's settings. And I also loved the fact that the killer uses different costumes for each murder, pure genius.

    The only draw back on this movie is that most of the murders happen off-screen, but more than makes up for it in the performances like Derek MacKinnion who plays Kenny a very well rounded performance, Ben Johnston does well in his role as the train conducter and even real life magician David Copperfield plays his part well. Hart Bochner plays the coward Doc annoyed me and glad he got his just desserts and once again Jamie Lee Curtis is brilliant as the lead heroine and gives the best chase scene in this movie which is the main highlight of this movie in my books.

    All in all "Terror Train" is an underrated gem and a highlight on Jamie Lee Curtis's glowing CV.
  • June 9, 2008
    A fun ass horror movie from the 80's. An underrated gem.

    Nothing original here, same old slasher hack-em up concept, but still a whole lot of damn fun. A good movie to watch when you're alone at night. And although it probably will not scare you, I'm sure in the end you'll be ...( read more)quite pleased that you spend 90 minutes of your night eating from a bowl of popcorn and watching 5 teenagers get slaughtered by a guy wearing a Groucho Marx mask costume. lol

    No gore here either, this movie wasn't about that. The acting was great and there's very good direction, with some spooky cinematography. Cheesy in some parts, but it's the kind of fun 80's horror cheese, and it's not overdone either. Don't take this movie too seriously. There's nothing here that's going to wow you. Just sit back, relax, be open minded and have fun with it. The 80's was a glorious decade for horror films, and believe me, this is one of the good one's from that wonderful time span of blood, guts, and maniacal madmen running amok and hacking up teenagers.

    This is the perfect film to even watch around the Halloween season. It has that feel to it. You know that feel? That good old creepy October, things that go bump in the night feel! : )

    And although you'll probably guess right at who the killer is, Terror Train will still have you guessing till the very end. It's not so much as to who the killer is, it's more of where the hell is he?...And have you already seen the killer? Because believe me, he'll most likely pass by your very eyes without you even knowing it!...you'll know more what I'm talking about when you see this. Little interesting twist at the very end!

    Yes indeed, it's good times with bloodshed, the Groucho Marx killer, and our favorite legendary "scream queen" Jamie Lee Curtis.

    I highly recommend this movie. But just have fun with it, that's all it's about.


    Other Reviews:

    "While Terror Train is not much more than a wheelbound Friday the 13th, it is one of the better films to emerge in the short-lived but prolific 1980-3 slasher cycle."
    - The SF, Horror and Fantasy Film Review

    "Terror Train proves that when done right, a classic slasher flick could deliver just as many thrills and twists and turns as a more conventional horror flick."
    - Horror Yearbook

    "Terror Train stands on its own as a thoroughly enjoyable and tasteful slasher film."
    - 411mania

    "Terror Train steamrolls through the rest and emerges strong as an icon of Canadian horror. All aboard!"
    - Oh, the Horror!

    "For all its flaws Terror Train is still a fun, entertaining ride."
    - DVD Verdict

    "Sends you a chill down the spine that won't subside until those final few minutes...see it before the upcoming remake."
    - Film Threat

    "Terror Train is a hell of a lot of fun, and a unique film besides thanks to its claustrophobic setting, bizzarre killer reveal, and confused romantic relationships: for a decidedly queer ride, this Trannie Train is well-worth the trip."
    - CampBlood.org

    "TERROR TRAIN is quite simply one of the top five slasher movies ever made, in my opinion. Suspenseful, scary, humorous, and fun, it truly stands head and shoulders above the countless other HALLOWEEN clones made during the early 80's."
    - DVD Drive-In

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  • June 14, 2007
    I used to think this movie was dark and uneventful. But then I watched it again and it great on be big time. It's got a great killer who keeps changing appearance during the movie, taking the costumes from the victims during the on-board masquerade. There's a well-done mystery ab...( read more)out the identity of the killer. Good showing from Jamie Lee Curtis and David Copperfield. The deaths are tame in the gore department, but effective. I enjoyed this and now consider it a classic slasher of the 80's made in Canada.
  • December 1, 2007
    Ok horror slasher that could have been better, the plot is good but it was ruined by horrible direction and bad actors. Also the killing scenes were bad however the ending was good.
  • November 4, 2009
    An okay slasher that reaffirms another constant of the horror genre: Don't play fucking pranks, no good ever comes of them.

    Jamie Lee looks good in a vintage role, the setting is a different one and it was an okay way to spend an hour and a half.

    Rental.
  • October 23, 2009
    A great deal of horror, mystery, surprises, thrills and tension just like an horror movie needs. Oh the old times.

    And just a thought:
    If you ever find yourself in a room next to Jamie Lee Curtis and realize you're in an horror movie, you'd better start praying for your soul, c...( read more)os of one thing you can be sure: you are not the final girl.
  • October 22, 2009
    The movies been done a million times.The only difference is that this
    time its on a train
  • August 6, 2009
    classic 80's horror. wonder why this has not been re-made
  • May 16, 2009
    i don't remember much from this movie...i know a guy keeps stealing costumes before he kills...and david copperfield is involved...

    i'll give it two stars just for that.
  • May 12, 2009
    david copperfield has an important role as a magician in terror train...david copperfield has an important role as a magician in terror train...DAVID COPPERFIELD...

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