# What was the first "Action Movie"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 17, 2011, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829 "2011-06-17T13:44:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/1 "2011-06-17T13:44:16Z")
Rather than derail the discussion at [Best Action Movie 1991-2010 - Nominations!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=612498) which was started 06-15-2011, 01:40 AM by **Justin\_Bailey** I would like to use [this post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13926016&postcount=53) … > [@Alessan](#): > > I think that those of us who grew up in the 1980’s see 80’s action films as the template all such movies must follow. The fact is, however, that the action movie from that decade was an odd duck, with little in common with those made in previous and following decades. Current action flicks either have much more in common with films from the 1970’s (the Bourne films are a famous example) or are a completely new species (in general, inspired either by the Matrix or Saving Private Ryan). Comparing modern action flicks to those brain-dead Stallone or Schwartznegger vehicles of our childhood is doing the former an injustice. > > Interestingly, the very best action movies of the 1980s - the Indiana Jones films, Terminator and Aliens - were actually very unusual for their times, and have a lot more in common with moderm examples of the genre. …as the basis for this thread’s query. Not just _ **your** _ first Action Movie, which I would also like to know about, but **the** First Action Movie, by whatever standards you use to identify such films. I’ll join in later with my own attempts. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/2 "2011-06-17T13:46:04Z")
_[The Great Train Robbery](http://history1900s.about.com/od/1900s/qt/trainrobbery.htm)_ ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/3 "2011-06-17T13:48:21Z")
Maybe [Bullitt (1968)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullitt), for the extended car chase scene? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/4 "2011-06-17T13:53:47Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > _[The Great Train Robbery](http://history1900s.about.com/od/1900s/qt/trainrobbery.htm)_ I was going to say [The General](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0017925/) but it looks like you have me beat by 23 years. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/5 "2011-06-17T13:58:26Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > Maybe [Bullitt (1968)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullitt), for the extended car chase scene? Wonderful choice! I’m going to have to look further back for a real challenge to that one! However, until _Bullitt_ came along my standard for car chase movies had been [Thunder Road (1958)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052293/) which might still provide entertainment of a sort to anybody who hasn’t seen it yet. But odds are that today’s real Action Movie fans would just laugh at the cheese and corn in TR. (If you want to know more about my own disappointments with watching it again in more recent times, I have commented on it several times in various threads on the general topic, including one of my very first threads at SDMB.) But for the moment I’m in agreement with you! ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/6 "2011-06-17T14:06:21Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > _[The Great Train Robbery](http://history1900s.about.com/od/1900s/qt/trainrobbery.htm)_ Outstanding! You have set the limit on the oldest contender, for sure. But I suspect the Action Movie fans of the day (including myself) have a few more criteria for what makes such a film. Lack of sound alone would be a drawback to serious consideration of TGTR. Until I clicked your link I was thinking you meant [The Great Train Robbery (1979)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079240/) which has a few more of the ingredients I would assume most fans would require. It’s a terrific movie, no matter what classification. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/7 "2011-06-17T14:13:21Z")
Westerns were always primarily action movies. In addition, most early silent comedies were action films; **Sherlock, Jr.** , just to name one example, has a couple of action sequences (notably, the motorcycle ride) that have never been topped. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/8 "2011-06-17T14:24:03Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Westerns were always primarily action movies. In addition, most early silent comedies were action films; **Sherlock, Jr.** , just to name one example, has a couple of action sequences (notably, the motorcycle ride) that have never been topped. Not to quibble, but I think “Western” overrides “Action” as a descriptor or marketing term. There have been some Westerns with plenty of action involving trains and stagecoaches to rival today’s excellent car chases, and the gunplay in some of the better Westerns eclipses even the major Action Movie gunfights and pyrotechnics displays. Still I suspect the average Action Movie fan would dismiss Westerns in favor of the automobile-centered action scenes. Another point to inject into the discussion is the distinction between Action Movie and Thriller. The terms are not interchangeable in my usage. Both terms may apply to the same movie, but I would imagine a choice would be made in the Marketing Department about how to promote such a film. Just guessing, though. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/9 "2011-06-17T14:35:20Z")
_North by Northwest_ was probably the first action film with a contemporary setting ( e.g. not a Western, Pirate, War, or SF film) ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/10 "2011-06-17T17:13:26Z")
Just to feed the discussion, here’s what Wikipedia says: [Action film - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_film) How much of that is in line with your own definitions and preferences? ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/11 "2011-06-17T17:32:33Z")
Dr. No ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/12 "2011-06-17T18:12:32Z")
I guess the early Bond movies win. I also want to add [_The Dirty Dozen_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dirty_Dozen) into the mix. It was released in 1967, 1 year before my previous suggestion (_Bullitt_). ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/13 "2011-06-17T18:30:50Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > Dr. No [List of action films of the 1960s - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pre-1970s_action_films) would support that, but I can’t help but feel there are even earlier Action Movies that are more that than Western, Pirate, Swordfight, Spy, or other sub-genres already mentioned as rival categories. Possibly one or more of the _Film Noir_ group? It’s bugging me not to be able to think of a good example, but I sense there is one. Geezers? Help? ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/14 "2011-06-17T18:42:55Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > Maybe [Bullitt (1968)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullitt), for the extended car chase scene? First thing that came to mind. I wouldn’t say the “first,” but it was a major signpost in the evolution of the genre (IMO). ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/15 "2011-06-17T19:37:57Z")
Dr. No isn’t so much about action, but Goldfinger has plenty. I would have said Goldfinger (1964) ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/16 "2011-06-17T19:44:30Z")
Considering how humor has become a feature of many modern action movies, I think a case might be made for _It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World_ (1963). ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/17 "2011-06-17T19:49:19Z")
Please indulge me on this little jaunt at IMDb: First: > **[Browse Movies and TV Shows by Genre - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/interest/all/)** > > Browse the most popular movies and TV shows by genre. Next: > **[Advanced search](https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?&genres=action&explore=title_type,genres)** Then (by clicking over on the right at “Year”): > **[Advanced search](https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?genres=action&explore=year)** Oldest year on that list: > **[Advanced search](https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?genres=action&sort=moviemeter%2Casc&year=1908)** Now, overtyping the 1908 to 1903 > **[Advanced search](https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?genres=action&sort=moviemeter%2Casc&year=1903)** Notice no [The Great Train Robbery (1903)](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0000439/) but also notice > [@](#): > > 11 min - Short | Western - 1 December 1903 (USA) However, go back to 1905: > **[Advanced search](https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?genres=action&sort=moviemeter%2Casc&year=1905)** And notice: > [@](#): > > 1. The Little Train Robbery (1905 Short Film) > > In this parody of 1903’s _Great Train Robbery, The (1903)_ , also made by Edwin S. Porter, young bandits rob the passengers of a kiddie train and are chased by police officers. > > Dir: Edwin S. Porter > Action | Crime | Family | Western 12 mins. ============== It would appear that even IMDb might have some genre issues. Is this an Action Movie, a Western, or what? More to the point of this thread, how much can IMDb’s genre lists assist us in locating the oldest legitimate Action Movie? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/18 "2011-06-17T19:53:11Z")
Is there any action film that can’t be slotted into another genre with ease? ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/19 "2011-06-17T20:00:42Z")
[Shichinin no Samurai, a/k/a Seven Samurai](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Samurai), was groundbreaking in so many ways that an argument could be made that’s it’s the first modern action movie. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2011, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829/20 "2011-06-17T20:03:45Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > _[The Great Train Robbery](http://history1900s.about.com/od/1900s/qt/trainrobbery.htm)_ Oh, like that is it??? The Man With The Movie Camera may predate your pick. Has some great engaging hand held. Imagine " The Bourne Identity " without the color. 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-first-action-movie/585829.md?page=2)