This film is a fictionalized version of the famous first hold-up of a moving train in 1855 England. The conspirators in this undertaking are Edward Pierce, Clean Willy and Agar. Edward Pierce is the brains, Clean Willy the brawn and safecracker Agar provides the finesse. The scheme involves stealing a shipment of gold bars intended to be used in the payroll for the Army in the Crimean War. There is one other participant - Miriam, the woman on the outside who arranges Edward Pierce's getaway. This movie featured solid acting, particularly by Sean Connery as Edward Pierce. It also featured solid writing and directing. Having The Great Train Robbery be a slow paced film was a very good idea and is a huge part of why the movie works so well.