Edwin S. Porter reshoots one of the standard shots of a decade before and uses the knowledge gained to do it better. The first half of this one-minute movie is about the men working on the railroad tracks; when the train comes up, they stand aside. They and some of the passengers in the passing car wave handkerchiefs at each other. When the train is past, a sign is revealed, showing that this is, indeed, the Lehigh Valley.
Most modern interest in these movies is from railroad buffs. Given the short time the train is actually on screen, this will doubtless be of less interest than earlier versions. Nonetheless the superior composition, the continuing, sensible lines of action and its the division into three acts -- before, during and after the train -- makes it a much better film.
Most modern interest in these movies is from railroad buffs. Given the short time the train is actually on screen, this will doubtless be of less interest than earlier versions. Nonetheless the superior composition, the continuing, sensible lines of action and its the division into three acts -- before, during and after the train -- makes it a much better film.
