Great Train Robbery

Since the release of Dr. No in 1%2, the James Bond series has set each story in a permanent contemporary era. Outside of my very small sample of a mere three instalments, there are references to Bond s position in the globe, from depictions of long time enemies SPECTRE, being involved in notorious crimes such as fine art theft (Dr. No), or even the 1963 Great Train Robbery (Thunderball). However, such references are few and far between, and in many cases, are purely incidental in nature. 

More significantly, author Piers Paul Read in his book The Train Robbers states that the finance and planning for the Great Train Robbery and a number of the subsequent escapes as well, came courtesy of General Otto Skorzeny - perhaps a reason why over half the money stolen in the train robbery has never been located. 

In 1903, projectionist Edwin S. Porter created the first motion picture that presented a narrative. Known as The Great Train Robbery, the 14-minute film contained the world s first motion-picture chase scene. 

Berg, I., with Gorelick, S. (1970), Education and Jobs The Great Training Robbery (Harmondsworth Penguin). 

---