A last teaming of some old friends: an AIP presentation by Sam Arkoff and James H Nicholson before the latter left AIP, and produced by Roger Corman after Corman had left AIP, but under an old contractual obligation. It seems fitting, therefore, that the film was directed by a newcomer, Martin Scorsese.
I am trying not to be too wise after the event here, but the direction is very impressive, with lots of energy and verve, and the action sequences seem very Scorsese-esque: abrupt edits, shots of people flying through the air when hit by a shot (it reminded me of Taxi Driver).
His handling keeps fresh what is a slightly tired story - or maybe I had just seen too many of that early 70s depression era gangster films before I watched this one. There is the harmonica on the soundtrack, shots of rural poverty, oppressed workers, sexually promisucous country girls, evil capitalists, shoot em ups, etc.
Bertha (Barbara Hershey, sexy in a rural way and very good), is a girl who when her father dies joins up with a unionist (David Carradine) and goes hoboing on the railroad. After he's put away for hitting someone she busts him out of gaol; they eventually start robbing the railroad. The solid cast also includes Bernie Casey as one of Carradine's mates and John Carradine as an evil capitalist.
Best thing about the film was its crucifixion ending - this had a real jolt. (Though I was confused - did Casey let him die so that the labour union movement would have a martyr?)
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