Troop Train was a 1943 short propaganda film produced by the Office of War Information.
While the film's assumed purpose would be to educate the American public about the role of railroad transportation of military divisions, Troop Train takes a more stylistic approach, with absolutely no narration and little dialogue. The director uses images to tell the story. Footage of rows of war material, troops marching and locomotives are cleverly edited to create a montage propaganda film, something of a rarity in the United States.
The film is also notable for its depiction of service men's life on the long trips across the country to unknown ports, and to unknown fronts in the war.
Famous quotes containing the words troop and/or train:
“Old soldiers, Miss Dandridge. Someday you’ll learn how they hate to give up. Captain of a troop one day, every man’s face turned toward ya. Lieutenants jump when I growl. Now tomorrow, I’ll be glad if the blacksmith asks me to shoe a horse.”
—Frank S. Nugent (1908–1965)
“Still, I am prepared for this voyage, and for anything else you may care to mention.
Not that I am not afraid, but there is very little time left.
You have probably made travel arrangements, and know the feeling.
Suddenly, one morning, the little train arrives in the station, but oh, so big
It is! Much bigger and faster than anyone told you.”
—John Ashbery (b. 1927)