The Flying Scotsman + live score

Get set for the heart-pounding, adrenaline-soaked, explosive new film season Art of Action. Part of BFI's Art of Action, a UK-wide film season celebrating high-octane cinema, we're bringing a wide-ranging selection of the best-ever action titles to our screens, each including an expert introduction. 

Enjoy any three films from this season (excluding Kubo and the Two Strings, which is Donate What You Can) for the special price of £24 when you book them at the same time. Simply select your tickets and the discount will be applied automatically at the checkout.

The Flying Scotsman was just six years old when it starred in Castleton Knight’s runaway train thriller on its journey from London to Edinburgh. When a vengeful stoker attempts to sabotage Old Bob’s final day working on board the mighty steam train, he hadn’t counted on Bob’s daughter (Pauline Johnson) who discovers the plot and boards the train to save the day. Filmed on the Hertford loop line, the action features plenty of footplate close-ups and daredevil shots of Johnson performing her own stunts edging along the narrow running board, in high-heels!

The Flying Scotsman will be accompanied by a live piano performance by Jane Gardner.

This performance was originally commissioned by HippFest: a world class Festival for silent film, cultivating an international community with an adventurous appetite for extraordinary cinema .  Screening material courtesy of the BFI National Archive.