Von Ryan’s Express: With a story that starts of as a carbon copy of some far superior films (in characterization, visually, musically) and by the time the adventure veers to something more unique, the damage is already done. There is no second chance for a first impression. Perhaps looking at the film in that light is too harsh, but it is too by-the-numbers in most ways. Frank Sinatra plays his part in  a low-key manner that is actually a good surprise.