Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Boxcar Bertha ; Produced by Roger Corman, BOXCAR BERTHA is a film directed by Martin Scorsese in 1972. "The Screen: 'Boxcar Bertha' Tops Local Double Bill". A would-be Roger Corman/AIP exploitation film, Boxcar Bertha (1972) takes on additional layers of meaning thanks to its youthful director, the just-then-emerging Martin Scorsese. Hence, the battle between Sartoris/the McIvers and the foursome becomes a personal one on both sides. Transfer Quality Video The video transfer for Boxcar Bertha is very nice, with little at all to complain about. While Boxcar Bertha is nowhere near the quality of Scorsese's later efforts, you can tell there was talent there, just waiting to be exploited. Based on "Sister of the Road," the fictionalized autobiography of radical and transient Bertha Thompson as written by physician Dr. Ben L. Reitman, 'Boxcar' Bertha Thompson, a woman labor organizer in Arkansas during the violence-filled Depression of the early '30's meets up with rabble-rousing union man 'Big' Bill Shelly and they team up to fight the corrupt railroad establishment and she is eventually sucked into a life of crime with him. The story of Bertha Thompson (played by Barbara Hershey) and "Big" Bill Shelly (played by David Carradine), two train robbers and lovers who are caught up in the plight of railroad workers in the American South.When Bertha is implicated in the murder of a wealthy gambler, the pair become fugitives.. Change your configuration. Thomas, Kevin (June 21, 1972). When Bertha is implicated in the murder of a wealthy gambler, the pair become fugitives. like alliterative nicknames!). The engine is currently at the Blacklands Railroad yard in Sulphur Springs, Texas, awaiting restoration. Barbara Hershey and David Carradine star as a pair of doomed lovers in the Depression-era American South, … During the Great Depression, Bertha Thompson begins riding the rails and has a series of adventures, some lighthearted and others deadly serious. Just click the "Edit page" button at the bottom of the page or learn more in the Synopsis submission guide. Joining up with controversial union leader Big Bill Shelley, Bertha is forced into a life on the run when a group of conservative witch hunters targets Shelley as a Communist. Hershey stars as the titular character, with her off screen partner at the time David Carradine as her lover and soul mate Shelly. Despite their different motivations in life, the four become fiercely loyal to each other, especially Bertha and Bill, both who consider the other to be the love of their life. "[8] Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "What is most impressive about Boxcar Bertha [...] is how 28-year old director Martin Scorsese, in his first Hollywood venture, has managed to shape such familiar material into a viable film. We get the feeling we're inhabiting the dark night of a soul. It looks like we don't have a Synopsis for this title yet. The railroad has its own enforcers however and Bill doesn't meet a just end however. Bertha (Barbara Hershey) joins union organizer "Big" Bill Shelly (David Carradine) in fighting anti-union forces after an unexpected murder drives them to a life of robbing trains. Scorsese makes a cameo in the film as one of Bertha's clients during the brothel montage. The prologue from Martin Scorsese's Roger Corman quickie, Barbara Hershey (title character) gazing skyward at her crop-dusting dad, with mechanic Von (Bernie Casey), Big Bill (David Carradine) working nearby, opening Boxcar Bertha, 1972. Boxcar Bertha Thompson Book Author Buzz Feitshans Editor David Nichols Production Designer Don F. Johnson Sound/Sound Designer Gib Guilbeau Composer (Music Score) John M. Stephens Cinematographer John William Corrington Screenwriter Joyce Hooper Corrington Screenwriter Julie Corman Producer Paul Rapp First Assistant Director Roger Corman Producer | ... (Torn Curtain and Topaz) but after that, they make some decent movies (Frenzy and the underrated Family Plot). Boxcar Bertha isn't amazing but I'm letting that slide since it was his first feature and he made it for Corman so he had no money. [1] It is a loose adaptation of Sister of the Road, a pseudo-autobiographical account of the fictional character Bertha Thompson, written by Ben L. Reitman. What's a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This? Boxcar Bertha Boxcar Bertha is a low budget 1972 American romantic crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese.It is a loose adaptation of Sister of the Road, a pseudo-autobiographical account of the fictional character Bertha Thompson, written by Ben L. Reitman.It was Scorsese's second feature film. "Now You See...", "The Screen: 'Boxcar Bertha' Tops Local Double Bill". Martin Scorsese's second feature loosely adapts the autobiography of Bertha Thompson, portraying the adventures of the Depression-era criminal following the death of her father. Taglines Be the first to contribute! View the TCMDb entry for Boxcar Bertha (1972) In the 1930's American south, Bertha Thompson decides to live the life of a transient after her crop duster father dies in a crash leaving her alone in the world. I guess hindsight is the only way to know when someone should have gracefully retired. 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