In the depression, Marvin plays the no 1 hobo who rides across the country jumping on and off trains looking for work. Borgnine is a train guard who will happily kill anyone trying to travel on his train - a competition develops with odds being laid that Marvin can stay on Borgnine's train to Portland. Cocky kid Carradine sticks with Marvin hoping to inherit his crown.
Aldrich is good at this mixture of action, passion and comedy and this is certainly a film with a bit of a difference and no little excitement with some good action set pieces. Borgnine is wonderful as the vile Shack whilst Marvin's A no.1 is perhaps more typical Marvin - tough guy with a twinkle in his eye. You do sort of wonder why they both risk so much for so little - something to do I guess - and there are way too many soulful speeches in this, notably from Marvin, but it remains a fun couple of hours.
Aldrich is good at this mixture of action, passion and comedy and this is certainly a film with a bit of a difference and no little excitement with some good action set pieces. Borgnine is wonderful as the vile Shack whilst Marvin's A no.1 is perhaps more typical Marvin - tough guy with a twinkle in his eye. You do sort of wonder why they both risk so much for so little - something to do I guess - and there are way too many soulful speeches in this, notably from Marvin, but it remains a fun couple of hours.