The story of how three childhood friends prevented a terrorist attack on August 21 st, 2015 on a train from Amsterdam to Paris is one of heroism and bravery. Directed by veteran actor and director Clint Eastwood, it is the dramatic retelling of real-life events. In 2015, three friends travelling Europe for a holiday helped subdue an armed attacker and prevented massive loss of life.
Having performed solidly in Scottish cinemas since its February release, the film's anticipated release on DVD and Blu-Ray will be in the coming weeks. So for those awaiting its release, here is everything you need to know about The 15:17 to Paris to keep you ticking over.
The Real-Life Heroes
The 15:17 high-speed train from Amsterdam to Paris was travelling between the two cities in August 2015, when an apparently routine journey descended into terror. As the train crossed the Belgium-France border, a 25-year- old man, Ayoub El Khazzani, attempted to carry out an attack on the train’s passengers.
What he didn’t count on was the presence, bravery and skills of three American friends, two of whom were off-duty US Army members. Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler and Alex Skarlatos helped prevent massive loss of life and were ultimately presented with the Legion of Honour in France, the highest accolade possible to be bestowed on them.
So when Clint Eastwood came to the three men and asked them to play themselves in a biopic of the events, it was a bold move. The standard option of three box office stars playing the roles might have seemed like the logical process to follow, but Eastwood had other ideas. In an interview with NBC San Diego, the three men spoke about how it was a complete shock and how this type of thing never happens. However, it did, and they sprang into action to save their fellow passengers.
Making The Movie
Originally, the three men worked with author Jeffrey E. Stern on the book The 15:17 To Paris: The True Story of a Terrorist, a Train and Three American Heroes. Such was the impact of the book, there was an inevitability that a movie was probable and Warner Bros secured the rights. With Eastwood on board, Dorothy Blyskal was brought in to write the screenplay.
36 Movies and Counting
Clint Eastwood might well be pushing ever closer to 90, but his genes indicate he is far from done yet. His mother, Margaret Ruth Eastwood, was 97 when she passed away in 2006. And on top of a sterling acting career, The 15:17 to Paris is the 36th movie he has directed.
From Play Misty For Me and High Plains Drifter to Bronco Billy, and right up to Jersey Boys and Sully, Eastwood’s pedigree is robust. This is reflected in his two times winning the Academy Award for Best Director with Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby in 1993 and 2005 respectively.
Eastwood's Western film legacy has undoubtedly ingrained itself in modern culture. From TV Series like Longmire and Deadwood to video games like More Gold Diggin' at Vegas Casino and the upcoming Red Dead Redemption 2 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One later this year. Eastwood's entertainment footprint is omnipresent.
If it appears his time in front of the camera has ended, this could well transpire to be an inaccuracy. Reports abound that he is set to produce, direct and star in The Mule. The movie about a 90-year- old drug mule, Leo Sharp.