Straight to Hell (1987)

Straight to Hell Poster

A gang of bank robbers with a suitcase full of money go to the desert to hide out. After burying the loot, they find their way to a surreal town full of cowboys who drink an awful lot of coffee.

Title: Straight to Hell

Release Date: June 26, 1987

Director: Alex Cox

Plot Summary:
"Straight to Hell" is an Alex Cox directed British black funny action film, released in 1987. Noted for its unconventional style and storyline, the movie is an uncommon coalition of a spaghetti western's plot pattern and an avant-garde casting line that consists of punk rockers and indie rock artists.

The movie opens with a trio of gunman, Willy (Dick Rude), Norwood (Sy Richardson), and Simms (Joe Strummer), who bungle a task causing them to leave their employer, Mr. Dade (Jim Jarmusch). Alongside the pregnant sweetheart of among the hitmen, Velma (Courtney Love), they choose to rob a bank to collect sufficient money to whizz off to Mexico and escape Dade's wrath. Nevertheless, a twist of fate lands them in a desert town rather of a tranquil sanctuary.

The quartet arrives in a dilapidated town, brimming with coffee-addicted hooligans and cons who inhabit the ruins of this when dynamic town. With stress intensifying quickly, they find themselves embroiled in quarrels with the regional outlaws, causing chaos, hostility, and an outright display of lawlessness. The desolate desert landscape and the eccentric coffee-crazy bad guys include an unreasonable, surreal tone to the movie.

A cinematic chucklesome comedy of mistakes starts to unfold when the bad guys in the town understand that Willy and his pals have taken a significant amount from the bank. What follows is a series of misadventures, filled with gunfights, psychopathic shenanigans, and bizarre engagements between the lead characters and the ragtag inhabitants of the ghost town. The film culminates into a violent free-for-all where survival only depends on one aspect - being the last man standing.

Style and Reception:
"Straight to Hell" obtained a cult following for its idiosyncratic narrative style mocked up with aspects of comedy and absurdity. It is a mixed drink of spaghetti western adventures, punk anarchism, surrealism, and dark humor. The film intentionally mimics the spaghetti western style of Sergio Leone but with an offbeat, punk-rock environment. The movie's visual is a mixture of the extravagant and the gritty, with its stark desert landscapes, eccentric characters, and an ironic homage to western tropes.

Although the film was generally consulted with mixed reviews from critics, it has actually happened acknowledged for its special voice and clever parody of spaghetti-western conventions. The film was applauded for its distinct casting, with characters played by musician Joe Strummer, star Dick Rude, and singer Courtney Love, all of whom included a non-traditional and rejuvenating take on their characters. The film's absurdity, dark humor, and punk energy have actually cemented its status as a cult classic in the annals of alternative movie theater.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, "Straight to Hell" is an innovative mix of black comedy and spaghetti western that manages to captivate with its unusual storyline, unforgettable characters, and undeniable punk spirit. In spite of its preliminary combined reception, the film's idiosyncratic design and audacious narrative have cemented its status as a cult classic, making it a must-watch for any fan of out-of-the-box storytelling and alternative movie theater.

Top Cast

  • Dick Rude (small)
    Dick Rude
    Willy
  • Sy Richardson (small)
    Sy Richardson
    Norwood
  • Courtney Love (small)
    Courtney Love
    Velma
  • Joe Strummer (small)
    Joe Strummer
    Simms
  • Sara Sugarman (small)
    Sara Sugarman
    Chuch
  • Miguel Sandoval (small)
    Miguel Sandoval
    George
  • Spider Stacy (small)
    Spider Stacy
    Angel Eyes McMahon
  • Dennis Hopper (small)
    Dennis Hopper
    I.G. Farben
  • Jennifer Balgobin (small)
    Jennifer Balgobin
    Fabienne
  • Grace Jones (small)
    Grace Jones
    Sonya
  • Shane MacGowan (small)
    Shane MacGowan
    Bruno McMahon