Boxcar Bertha [DVD]

After an accident leaves Bertha homeless and fatherless in depression era America, the teenager goes on a road of discovery as she grows up.Within no time at all, she has soon found prostitution, gambling, robbery and murder to be commonplace: part and parcel of everyday life whilst out on the road; and also, inevitably she meets up with 'Big' Bill Shelly. A union rabble rouser and Robin Hood type figure aiming to smash the greedy rail roads. Naturally Bertha falls for the charisma of this 'hero of the working man', but with the course of true love rarely running smoothly, it will prove to be a difficult journey...1930s set crime/love story/bio~pic of 'Boxcar' Bertha Thompson, directed by Martin Scorsese, and produced by Roger Corman.Hershey stars as the titular character, with her off screen partner at the time David Carradine as her lover and soul mate Shelly. Both are excellent, and I mean excellent, and are backed up by a strong cast of other (mostly) B~movie actors, all putting in a fine shift. With Bernie Casey also standing out.Considering it's a Corman picture, the production values are reasonably high, and as one would expect from it's director, the overall tone and style of the movie, including some of the unusual photography, is very well done indeed ~ Bertha running along the side of the train at the end is a great sequence. The action coming across as quite frenzied, violent and unglamorous. The camera practically on top of the cast, when any bloodshed takes place.Of course there's some nudity, but it's quite frank, and like the violence, is never there to exploit or titillate, which comes as a complete contrast to a contemporary movie from Corman's stable  Big Bad Mama [DVD] [1974 ]...Overall this is a decent little effort (of course one will always raise a cynical eyebrow as to the authenticity and romanticism of characters and their exploits in these kinds of tales), that maybe isn't as exciting as a few other 1930s 'gangster' movies, but at a sound 85min run time it won't outstay it's welcome either.Finally one reviewer on here claimed that the film had "Daft clean costumes, daft script, daft plot, daft action, daft acting.", which I almost completely disagree with. Yes the costumes weren't caked in filth but overall I thought it was a well told tale.3.75/5

I watched this movie just after David Carradine's interpretation as Woody Guthrie in "Bound for glory", and I found many points in common between the two: hobos, train escapes, the unions, poor people struggling for their rights, landscapes. Maybe because of this, I do not find that the central role - beautifully played by Barbara hershey - is Bertha, as suggested by Amazon's review. I'd rather say it is shared with Carradine's role.Again, I do not find that this is a simple story of train robbers and criminals - there is much more. Plus, the direction by Martin Scorsese leaves an imprint. This explains my rather high rating.

Seems a bit dated now but you always have Barbara Hershey.

Basically silly movie that uses many very good actors to less effect than should otherwise have been the case. Yet Barbara HERSHEY is fabulous in the lead role and clearly relishes the attention: She never seems to be acting and is effortlessly sensual.The plot is fine but the lack of any thematic content makes for a less than emotional melodrama: Nineteen thirties Depression-era politics are alluded to but never properly explored. Along with various culture clashes - Northern US Whites versus Southern; Black versus White - this could have been a better movie with more vivid characters.The film’s modish violence; following in the wake of the earlier and better Bonnie & Clyde; makes the reasons for its being made clear. Nevertheless, it never outstays its welcome, the actors are engaging and they look like they are enjoying themselves: Rather jolly, exploitation fun.

barbara hershey outstanding acting great script just a well made film.made me want to know more about boxcar-bertha so invested in the book aswell based on real life and what a life,recomend the book as well SISTER OF THE ROAD IS TITLE.

Good film

One I showed at my cinema back in the 70s and it's as good today as it was back then.

Pass marks.