Action-packed suspense film that you just have to see. This has everything, suspense, humor, good characters, cool acting, great dialogue, sweet ass directing and a touch of emotion and realism, while it is also somewhat "over-the-top". A really rough and cool movie that can be seen with the gang.
USA 1930's, the depression is roaming the country. Bums however get by just fine. They hang around the railroad were they take the train they want, when and where they want. But nobody rides on the 19.. Shack(Ernest Borgnine) is the boss there and he has decided never to let anyone bum a ride from him. Those who try are usually not seen alive again. He can basically be compared with the devil. Everyone are afraid of him and everyone hates him, no matter what side they are on.
A No. 1(Lee Marvin) is the legendary bum who will challenge him, but he is not alone. An amoral brat of adult age who likes to call himself "Old Cigar"(Keith Carradine) wants to be bum no. 1, "The Emperor of the North Pole." So they have thrown together three damn cool actors and one of the toughest direction of the time, Robert Aldrich (The Dirty Dozen, What Ever Happened Baby Jane two?, The Longest Yard, etc.). That this is two friggin' entertaining hours is obvious.
More than any other quality this film possess is that it's just so bleeding cool. There are so many scenes that made me laugh out so loud that I was afraid that the neighbors would come knocking on my door. The atmosphere is just so bloody sweet. The only weaknesses would be that it doesn't go too deep nor take the time to slow down for finer details. But hell, why should every film do that? I recommend this on the highest!
USA 1930's, the depression is roaming the country. Bums however get by just fine. They hang around the railroad were they take the train they want, when and where they want. But nobody rides on the 19.. Shack(Ernest Borgnine) is the boss there and he has decided never to let anyone bum a ride from him. Those who try are usually not seen alive again. He can basically be compared with the devil. Everyone are afraid of him and everyone hates him, no matter what side they are on.
A No. 1(Lee Marvin) is the legendary bum who will challenge him, but he is not alone. An amoral brat of adult age who likes to call himself "Old Cigar"(Keith Carradine) wants to be bum no. 1, "The Emperor of the North Pole." So they have thrown together three damn cool actors and one of the toughest direction of the time, Robert Aldrich (The Dirty Dozen, What Ever Happened Baby Jane two?, The Longest Yard, etc.). That this is two friggin' entertaining hours is obvious.
More than any other quality this film possess is that it's just so bleeding cool. There are so many scenes that made me laugh out so loud that I was afraid that the neighbors would come knocking on my door. The atmosphere is just so bloody sweet. The only weaknesses would be that it doesn't go too deep nor take the time to slow down for finer details. But hell, why should every film do that? I recommend this on the highest!