A Look at Scorsese’s Lesser-Known Film

Alright, folks! Let’s talk about the less-celebrated flick of the master filmmaker himself—Martin Scorsese! You might think that some of his movies are breathtaking masterpieces, but before he hit gold with iconic films, he had to sit through some bumps and scrapes. The documentary series Mr. Scorsese on Apple TV gives us a sneak peek into those early days filled with glitter and grime, reminding us that even legends have to start somewhere.

Oops, I Did It Again!

Picture this: Scorsese, fresh on the scene post-Who’s That Knocking at My Door, agrees to whip up a tiny little movie for the notorious low-budget wizard, Roger Corman. Enter Boxcar Bertha, a film that Scorsese himself dubbed a big ol’ mistake. But hey, don’t toss it out just yet—let’s not forget this film is actually pretty darn solid!

The Story of Bertha

So, who’s our leading lady? The fabulous Barbara Hershey, strutting her stuff as Bertha Thompson, a feisty gal riding the rails in Great Depression-era America after her crop-dusting dad kicks the bucket. Along for the ride, she falls head over heels for the wild anarchist labor leader, Big Bill Shelly (played by the suave David Carradine). Together with a couple of charming scallywags, they embark on a journey of robbing and running from the Pinkertons and a sneaky railroad tycoon, H. Buckram Sartoris. Sounds like a wild ride, right?

A Nod to Bonny and Clyde

Now, if we’re talking inspiration, Boxcar Bertha might just be the younger sibling of Bonnie and Clyde. It’s true! Corman wanted to catch that wave of success from the film that helped kickstart the New Hollywood movement. And while some may see it as just another cheap knockoff, there’s a spark in this film that challenges that notion!

Scorsese’s Special Touch

What’s Scorsese without his knack for pulling out stellar performances from his cast? Hershey shines like a diamond—she played an earnest and tough Bertha despite the awkward premise of her character. There’s a depth, a sense of loyalty that she gives Bertha, which makes her relatable, rather than naive.

The Scorsese Signature

Despite being a subtle departure from the rowdy nature of his later work, Boxcar Bertha still has Scorsese’s fingerprints all over it. Sure, there aren’t any legendary needle drops like “Layla” in Goodfellas, but you can bet your bottom dollar there’s violence lurking just under the surface—a signature theme Scorsese enjoys exploring. We see this definitely when Big Bill meets his end in a plot twist that’s as brutal as it is symbolic.

Lessons Learned from Cassavetes

To wind things down, let’s not forget the wise words from indie god, John Cassavetes, who gave Scorsese a glorious hug after watching Boxcar Bertha and told him, “You just spent a year of your life making this piece of junk. Don’t do it again!” Touché, John! And though Scorsese never worked with Corman again, it was a lesson that helped him forge his own unique path.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it! Boxcar Bertha might not walk the red carpet or stand shoulder to shoulder with Taxi Driver, but it’s a delightful little film that gave us a glimpse of the raw talent Scorsese had from the get-go. If you’re curious about how a man went from this underrated gem to iconic status, make sure to check out all five episodes of Mr. Scorsese now streaming on Apple TV!