BOXCAR BERTHA
US, 1972, 92 minutes, Colour.
Barbara Hershey, David Carradine, Barry Primus, Bernie Casey, John Carradine, Victor Argo.
Directed by Martin Scorsese.
Boxcar Bertha is one of Martin Scorsese’s earliest films. He had made Who’s Knocking At My Door and was soon to make Mean Streets. With Taxi Driver in 1975 he became a world-class director and continued for many decades with such outstanding films as Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, The Colour of Money, Goodfellas, The Age of Innocence, Casino, Kundun, Gangs of New York, The Aviator.
Boxcar Bertha is a Depression story. It is similar in vein to the range of popular films on Depression characters following the lead of 1967’s Bonnie and Clyde. There were small films about Melvyn Purvis as a G- Man, biographies of various criminals, a focus on women criminals like Ma Barker in Big Bad Momma. Boxcar Bertha is in this vein.
However, Scorsese invests his character with more humanity than was current in the popular features. Barbara Hershey is strong as Bertha and David Carradine as the almost saviour-like figure with whom she goes on her crime spree.
Scorsese is also able to create a strong visual impression of the Depression years as well as evoke the atmosphere.
1. How important was the human interest for this film to make it different from many other Depression criminal stories? The focus of attention on Bertha, her nickname, and her relationships with her friends?
2. How successful a film was it? How well made? the fact that it was based on an autobiography? Its sense of realism? Its urgency of message?
3. How interesting a picture of the Depression did it give? Of ordinary peoples homes and property? In the plight of the workers? the riches of the bosses, the railway men? The use of thugs by the rich - the persecution of the workers? the nature of crime and criminals in this era? The social situation forming criminals?
4. What insight into the history of America did this film give? the use of the traditions of violence from the 19th century to the Depression? Violence as the answer to difficulties? For criminals to rob and kill? For police to do and avenge?
5. The impact of the opening? Joy, ordinary farm life, happiness? pressure from the rich, peace of life and Bill Shelley’s death? The effect of this death on the personalities there?
6. What were the choices for Bartha in this Depression atmosphere? What else could she do?
7. How interestingly did the film present Bertha as a person? As a girl, as friendly and loving, her admiration for Bill Shuttle? Why did she then embark on a life of crime? Did it seem crime to her?
8. How did Bill Shelley contrast with her? How upright a man was he in himself? How dedicated to the workers’ cause? His use of crime in order to help the workers? How ruthless were he and Bertha? How merciful?
9. The gambling man - his relationship with Bertha, the violence that he was involved in - death? On the run with Shelley? Moving into a gang kind of life? His cowardice? His reactions to the newspapers? the consequences of what those pressures put on him?
10. Was the picture of the police and the law accurate and just? Of the railway men and brutal methods? Of the thugs who went round shooting on behalf of the police and the railway men?
11. The importance of the prison sequences and their brutality? the brutality of the warders and the effect it had on Shelley? How exciting was the escape? Admiration for Bertha’s resourcefulness?
12. What was your reaction to Bertha becoming a prostitute? What other options did she have? What way of life did she know? Her reaction against this when Bill found her again?
13. How frightening was Shelly’s death? The importance of his being crucified? The redemption figure? Of the train going along with him inside?
14. How does this film fit into the genre of depression personalities and crime films?' Was it a good example?
15. What is the purpose of making this kind of film? As entertainment? As a message film? As an exploration of society, history, character?
