The war film, which is based on a true story, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Screenplay.

A war film based on a remarkable true story is set to air on TV later today, boasting an impressive 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Train, an American-French film directed by John Frankenheimer, was first released in 1964 and received an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay.

Set in August 1944 during the Second World War, the movie follows French Resistance fighter Paul Labiche, played by Burt Lancaster, as he goes head-to-head with German Colonel Franz von Waldheim, portrayed by Paul Scofield.

Colonel von Waldheim’s mission is to transport stolen artworks back to Germany by train.

The plot of The Train was inspired by the 1961 non-fiction book Le front de l’art by Rose Valland, an art historian at the Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume.

Valland recorded the masterpieces stored there that had been looted by the Nazis from French museums and private art collections for transportation back to Germany, reports the Express.

In reality, the shipment was indeed delayed by the French Resistance on 1st August 1944. However, unlike the events depicted in the Burt Lancaster film two decades later, the Nazi’s plan was foiled not by action but by endless paperwork and bureaucracy, meaning the priceless works only travelled a few miles outside of Paris.

In fact, train No 40,044 was seized and inspected by Lt Alexandre Rosenberg of the Free French forces just outside the capital city. Upon opening the carriage doors, he discovered several works of art that had belonged to his father, art dealer Paul Rosenberg.

The Train’s action sequences featured several genuine train crashes, whilst the Allied bombing of a railway yard was achieved using real dynamite.

Director Frankenheimer regards The Train as the last major action picture filmed in black and white, something he reckons significantly enhanced the final product.

Lancaster himself took part in the Second World War, joining the US Army in January 1943.

The future Hollywood star served with the 21st Special Services Divisions, travelling alongside ground forces and providing USO entertainment to boost morale.

Following his time under General Mark Clark’s Fifth Army in Italy from 1943-1945, he was discharged in October after the war ended.

On Rotten Tomatoes, viewers hailed the picture as a “masterpiece”, with one declaring: “A classic of its era. Some great camerawork and one of Lancaster’s best roles. I truly love this wonderful film.”

Another remarked: “A classic that lives up to the hype, if you like war movies, suspense or trains this is not one to miss.”

“The greatest action film ever! Period,” a third declared, whilst another concurred: “Maybe the best war movie ever.”

Meanwhile, critics heaped glowing praise upon the war picture, with The Times noting: “A pair of high-class performances power this Second World War yarn.”

Film Frenzy observed: “This gripping film places a philosophical query in the context of a rousing action flick.”

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal observed: “The movie’s central moral question – Can we justify the loss of human life to save inanimate objects? – remains as potent as ever. And one of this film’s greatest attributes is that it leaves the answer to the viewer.”

The Train will air on BBC Two on Sunday afternoon at 2:20pm and will be accessible on BBC iPlayer for a limited time following broadcast.