Tough Guys (1986)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Jeff Kanew

Writers:

Jim Cruickshank (writer)
James Orr (writer)

Release Date:

3 October 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

They're Out To Teach A New World Some Old Tricks.

Plot:

Two elderly gangsters are released from prison only to find they have trouble fitting in as old men who still take no guff from anyone.

Plot Keywords:

Train | Senior Citizen | Ex Convict | Train Robbery

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe.

Cast

Burt Lancaster	...	Harry Doyle
Kirk Douglas	...	Archie Long
Charles Durning	...	Deke Yablonski
Alexis Smith	...	Belle
Dana Carvey	...	Richie Evans
Darlanne Fluegel	...	Skye
Eli Wallach	...	Leon B. Little
Monty Ash	...	Vince
Billy Barty	...	Philly
Simmy Bow	...	Schultz
Darlene Conley	...	Gladys Ripps
Nathan Davis	...	Jimmy Ellis
Matthew Faison	...	Man in Gay Bar
Corkey Ford	...	Gang Leader
Rick Garcia	...	Federale Captain

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Norway:12 | Iceland:L | West Germany:12 (f) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-14 | Sweden:15 | UK:12 (video re-rating) (2003) | UK:15 (original rating) | UK:15 (video rating) (1987) | USA:PG | Canada:14A

Filming Locations:

Eagle Mountain, California, USA

Company:

Bryna Productions

Trivia:

Red Hot Chili Peppers played themselves in the movie. They were big on the local scene but wouldn't crack the big time until the album "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" in 1991

Goofs:

Factual errors: The locomotive used in the filming is Southern Pacific GS4 #4449, owned by the City of Portland, Oregon. On the locomotive's skirting above the pistons, the word "Daylight" is visible in a shot. When the locomotive was wrecked at the end of the movie, the words "Southern Pacific" are visible. The "Daylight" was an SP train from the 1940's for which the locomotive was built. However, throughout the film the train is called the "Gold Coast Flyer," and SP had no such train.

Quotes:

Harry Doyle: And I ain't goin' to your funeral!
Archie Long: You ain't invited!

Movie Connections:

References Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957)

Soundtrack:

Don't Get Around Much Anymore

Good fun, shows they really don't make them like they used to

Tough Guys re-unites after a near 30 year gap the screen pairing of Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster and as such it's a wonderful piece of nostalgia. The premise suits the stars very well Archie Long and Harry Doyle after 30 years in prison for a train robbery are released into society and find things aren't want the used to be back in the old neighbourhood. The duo are soon mixed up with a short sighted hit-man (a scene stealing Eli Wallach), a hero worshipping parole officer (Dana Cavey), an old time cop convinced they'll rob again (Charles Durning) and some seriously 80's style thugs. Add to this just dealing with Archies day job and Harry's new life in a retirement home and their is a recipe for comedy and some surprisingly touching moments as the pair come to terms with old age.

The film is fun and well paced although there are some big plot holes and inconsistencies you can overlook these as its not a serious film. Douglas and Lancaster are clearly having a blast making the movie and seeing them on screen again one last time is great. I'd recommend this film for a feel good comedy or a bit of nostalgia for older movie fans. 7/10