The 15:17 to Paris 2018

     In the early evening of August 21, 2015,  a terrorist attack was thwarted on Thalys train #9364 bound for Paris.  Three Americans were traveling through Europe and they decided to visit Paris.  Spencer Stone, Alek Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler had become friends in middle school.  There were interested in guns and they were often sent to the principal’s office for behavior problems.  Spencer is in the Air Force, Alek is in the Army serving in Afghanistan and Anthony is now a college student.  They decide to see Europe together.  An American-born Frenchman notices that one of the restrooms has been occupied for an unusually long time?  Upon investigation, a terrorist runs out with an assault rifle!!

     Fortunately for themselves and the other passengers Spencer and Alek were in excellent physical shape because of their military training.  Once other passengers see the terrorist being subdued, they join in the effort with Anthony to further overwhelm the man.  The next step is treat one of the passengers with a neck wound.  Spencer is able to stop the bleeding and he has knife wounds on his head and neck.  The French paramedics come on board to treat their injuries.  The police also enter the train fully armed and they remove the unconscious terrorist.  Spencer, Alek and Anthony are playing themselves in this film.  In reality, I wondered how an entire film could be made from an attack with a short time span.  It was accomplished by starting from middle school.  There was an official ceremony with the President of France recognizing the three men as heroes of the French Republic for their gallantry and bravery.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

94 min, Bio directed by Clint Eastwood with Alek Skarlatos, Anthony Sadler, Spencer Stone, Ray Corasani, Judy Greer, Jenna Fischer, Irene White, William Jennings, Bryce Gheisar, Stephen Matthew Smith, P.J. Byrne, Paul-Mikel Williams, Thomas Lennon, Tony Hale, Grant Weaver.

Note:  Imdb 5.1 out of 10, 24% critic 39% audience, Roger Ebert 2*, Amazon 3.5* out of 5* with 278 reviews, Common Sense Media 3* of 5*, age 14+, positive 3*, role models 3*, violence 4*, sex 2*, language 3*, consumerism 2*, drinking drugs & smoking 2*, Rolling stone 2 ½* out of 4* Peter Travers, Metacritic 45 out of 100 with 36 critics 4.8 out of 10 with 73 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Atlanta, Georgia; Noord-Holland, Netherlands; Veneto and Lazio Italy; Brussels, Belgium; Vatican City; Paris France.