The American action thriller by the famous Soviet (!) director Andrei Konchalovsky was filmed in California, Montana, and Alaska, with most train scenes shot in Alaska on the Butte, Anaconda and Pacific Railway. Prison scenes were filmed at the Old Montana Prison, which now houses a museum and visitor center. No real prisoners were used in the prison scenes, and about 200 extras were employed to depict the chaos in the correctional facility. During filming, the crew realized they lacked snow (due to an unusually warm spring) and decided to incorporate artificial snow used on Christmas trees. After shooting the initial prison scenes, the actors and crew moved to Whittier, Alaska, to film the train scenes. The train crash was filmed using miniatures on an abandoned ranch in California.

Filming Locations:

Railway Station

In the Movie

Scene where Buck and Manny are on the run and approach a railway station. Looking back, they cannot find a way to hide from the police. Suddenly, Manny sees a train leaving the station and decides they need to board that locomotive. Buck and Manny run toward the train while trying to find cover. Thanks to a snowstorm, they manage to board the train unnoticed.

In Reality

The scene was filmed on the Butte, Anaconda and Pacific Railway in Anaconda, Montana. Despite the name's similarity to a tropical snake, this place has nothing to do with exotic reptiles. Anaconda is a small town in the northern United States, located in Montana. It was founded in the late 19th century and quickly became an important center for the copper smelting industry due to its proximity to large copper deposits. Despite its industrial history, Anaconda is surrounded by picturesque mountains and forests, making it an attractive destination for tourists, outdoor enthusiasts, and filmmakers seeking authentic American landscapes. The Butte, Anaconda and Pacific Railway, which runs through the town, adds an atmosphere of the Old West and preserves the spirit of an era when rail transport was the backbone of American progress.

Prison

In the Movie

Scene where Warden Ranken makes derogatory remarks, calling Manny an animal rather than a human, unaware that the entire prison can hear him. This speech triggers a prison riot, with inmates shouting, 'You hear that crap, Ranken! Somebody shoot that bastard. Manny for president!'

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the Old Montana Prison, one of the oldest correctional facilities in the state. Built in the late 19th century, it long served as the region's main prison and housed dangerous criminals. Throughout its history, the prison experienced numerous riots, escape attempts, and dark chapters in the state's criminal record. Today, Old Montana has ceased its original functions and has been turned into a museum, attracting tourists and history enthusiasts. Visitors can see old cells, administrative offices, and the prison yard where inmates once walked.

Railway Track

In the Movie

Scene where the train operator calls the central control and is answered by Frank Barstow. The operator asks Frank, 'Why did you stop us?' Frank replies, 'There's a runaway train coming at you' and then instructs the operator to switch the train to another track. The engineer eventually realizes the urgency and begins to move his train to track 2. Unfortunately, he does so at a snail's pace, and the runaway train crashes into the last car.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at a winery in Rancho Cucamonga. There, the film crew and producers were able to recreate the scene using miniature trains. The abandoned winery was ideal for filming the crash of two trains followed by a mini-explosion, smoke, and debris.