‘The Godfather’ Overshadowed One of Martin Scorsese’s Best Gangster Movies

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On March 14, 1972, one of cinema’s all-time greatest masterpieces premiered in theaters. By the end of the year, The Godfather would claim the title of highest-grossing film, and eventually the highest-grossing Hollywood production, earning approximately $250 million worldwide. Two years after its release, the film’s influence was still resonating strongly. When television rights were sold for a record-breaking $10 million to NBC for a single broadcast in 1974, the mob movie garnered an unexpectedly large viewership with an average Nielsen rating of 38.2 and an audience share of 59%, making it the 8th most-watched film on television at the time.

Remarkably well-executed in acting, cinematography, and narration, “The Godfather” stands out as a near-perfect representation of gangster films. It’s no wonder it surpassed numerous other movies, particularly those that debuted around the same period. One such film was “Boxcar Bertha,” directed by Martin Scorsese and produced by Roger Corman.

‘Boxcar Bertha’ Is a Wilder Version of ‘Bonnie and Clyde’

The movie titled “Boxcar Bertha” debuted on June 14, 1972, not long after the release of “The Godfather.” Drawing inspiration from the memoir “Sister of the Road” by Ben L. Reitman, the film narrates the story of Bertha Thompson (portrayed by Barbara Hershey). Following an unfortunate incident where her father’s crop-dusting plane crashes, leaving her an orphan, Bertha finds herself navigating the tumultuous times of the Great Depression. With few options, she takes to hopping freight trains as a means of travel, and Martin Scorsese masterfully captures the essence of this period, transporting us back to the 1930s alongside her in every scene.

Incidentally, she encounters Big Bill Shelly (David Carradine), who is a union activist spearheading an anti-corruption crusade against railroad magnates. In spite of their contrasting beliefs, her interest in him grows as she’s captivated by his self-assured demeanor. Before long, they find themselves caught up in a clandestine romance that defies societal norms.

Afterward, the affectionate pair strike up friendships with Rake Brown, a notorious gambler, and Von Morton, a skilled aviator – both of whom happen to be black. As money grows scarce, this chubby, kind-hearted girl and her companions find solace in their chaotic lives by discovering their true place: the criminal underworld. They establish a gang involved in train robberies, justifying their actions as retribution against an unjust system. Unsurprisingly, their story does not have a happy ending.

The concept for the film originated during Martin Scorsese’s encounter with Roger Corman while working on Medicine Ball Caravan. Impressed by Scorsese’s debut film, Who’s That Knocking at My Door, Corman proposed a sequel to Bloody Mama. However, their plans shifted when Corman’s wife, Julie, stumbled upon Sister of the Road. She then provided Scorsese with the book, which he found captivating. From thereon, everything smoothly fell into place.

The Gangster Flick Features Many Martin Scorsese Trademarks

As a devoted admirer of Martin Scorsese’s cinematic masterpieces, I must admit that Boxcar Bertha, though an earlier work, remains a gripping spectacle, brimming with many of the director’s distinctive elements. In his movies, characters often find themselves drawn into extreme violence, and this film is no exception. Initially, the characters appear polished and friendly, but as time passes, they gradually reveal their darker sides, becoming increasingly vicious.

In this setting, adversaries of the Bertha gang seem enthusiastic about devising unique and painful punishments for the criminals they apprehend. One particularly harrowing moment is when Bill is crucified alongside a train after being captured by railroad security – a swift retribution reminiscent of mob justice scenes in Scorsese’s films.

Martin Scorsese is equally drawn to vibrant personalities living on society’s edge. Regardless of whether they seek success through legitimate or illicit methods, these characters share an ambition to achieve in life. In his films, such as The Wolf of Wall Street and Goodfellas, the director often delves into class conflicts, underscoring the harsh realities that force these individuals to resort to questionable actions. The glamorization of crime is a recurring theme, yet Bertha and her peers exhibit similar patterns. They are aware of the risks involved, but they persist in their actions regardless.

In Martin Scorsese’s films, you won’t find a flawless romance. Instead, expect a slightly uneasy dynamic between the lovebirds, hinting at underlying issues, yet their feelings towards each other remain undeniable. At some point, the main couple will either experience a rift or circumstances will force them apart. This pattern is evident in “Boxcar Bertha,” although it first presents the audience with several explicit love scenes. Known for its explicit content and considered one of the dirtiest films ever made during its time, this steamy crime thriller is expertly directed by Scorsese and John Stephen. They skillfully orchestrate each lovemaking scene to stand out visually.

Above all, each scene seems genuinely genuine. Throughout his career, the director has fostered an environment where actors could improvise, leading to memorable instances like Joe Pesci’s “Funny how?” scene. Here, Hershey delivers a convincing, naturalistic performance that contrasts with the common melodramatic style of the ’70s. Simply observe her enamored expression as she admires Carradine while he ties his boots before a heist. It’s unclear if Hershey and her co-stars wrote their own dialogue, but the actress controversially asserted that she and Carradine filmed the movie’s intimate scenes without needing to feign anything. This might sound surprising initially, but they were romantically involved at the time, having crossed paths on the set of Heaven with a Gun.

‘The Godfather’ Was a Monster that ‘Boxcar Bertha’ Couldn’t Compete With

Although some people believe that Boxcar Bertha is one of Martin Scorsese’s best films, it couldn’t compete with The Godfather because it had a much smaller budget, which is common for movies produced by Roger Corman. Martin Scorsese was only given $600,000 to create the movie, while Francis Ford Coppola received $7 million for The Godfather. This limited budget meant that there were no lavish homes or fancy cars in the film, and it also restricted extensive marketing. Moreover, due to financial limitations, Scorsese had to cut back on his original ambitious script. (Reference: Scorsese on Scorsese)

The casts of the two gangster movies are not on the same level. While The Godfather boasts acting greats like Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan, and John Cazale – all recognized as among the best actors ever – Boxcar Bertha relies more on B-list talent, who performed well but didn’t garner consistent attention from the press.

Apart from “The Godfather,” several factors played a role in the $1 million gross of “Boxcar Bertha.” However, its boldly sensual and pessimistic style hindered its distribution to numerous cinemas and households. If it had been more family-friendly (like swimming in PG waters), it might have reached further. Nevertheless, this Scorsese movie remains raw, impactful cinema. It’s worth revisiting to observe how the director’s talents were developing at that time.

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2025-02-17 03:02