The Dion Brothers (1974)

The Dion Brothers Poster
Original Title: The Gravy Train

Two rural West Virginia brothers leave home, rob an armored car and become fugitives.

Introduction
"The Dion Brothers" (likewise called "The Life Of Ease"), launched in 1974, is a crime-comedy movie routed by Jack Starrett and also composed by Terrence Malick's then-writing companions, Expense Norton and also Package Carson. The film stars Stacy Keach and also Frederic Forrest as 2 eccentric blue-collar bros, who decide to go on a crime spree and also manage a heist, thinking they can do better than the bad guys they see on the news on a daily basis.

Story
The movie is set in a tiny country community of West Virginia, where siblings Calvin (Stacy Keach) as well as Russell (Frederic Forrest) Dion live dreary lives operating at a coal mine. Fed up with their dull work, the brothers make a decision to leave as well as relocate to the city, seeking something more in their lives. On their method to the city, they activate the radio and pay attention to a news report regarding a current robbery. Playing a video game of "armchair quarterback", the bros deduce that the robbers didn't obtain much money and also decide they can do far better.

When in the city, the Dion brothers form a strategy to burglarize a liquor shop. After a successful heist, they feel empowered as well as unyielding, so they establish their minds on handling a larger target - a meat-packing plant with a significant payroll. They collect a little crew, containing their relative Paul, who assists them establish an alibi, a within man called Roy, that works at the plant, and also Roy's good friend Roscoe, that offers them with the necessary guns.

As they plan for their break-in, the plant's security discovers their strategy, and also the once-great suggestion promptly spirals uncontrollable, resulting in chaos, violence, and also betrayal. The Dion brothers discover the hard way that crime does not pay, as their grand plan winds up with tragic repercussions.

Key Cast and also Characters
Stacy Keach, recognized for his functions in different crime dramas as well as westerns, plays the function of Calvin Dion. He is the older, much more experienced, and logical of both brothers. Frederic Forrest, that later acquired acknowledgment for his roles in "Apocalypse Now" and also "The Rose", stars as Russell Dion, the more youthful as well as extra spontaneous sibling who commonly depends on his older sibling's assistance. Together, they form a dynamic and comical duo that supplies the backbone of the film's vital criminal appeal.

Other remarkable actors participants consist of Margot Kidder as Russell's love rate of interest, Hester, Barry Primus as their cousin Paul, Richard Romanus as inside guy Roy, and Joe Santos as the challenging and abrupt Roscoe.

Function
Upon its release, "The Dion Brothers" did not get much vital recognition, and its box office performance was relatively unremarkable. Nevertheless, the movie has somewhat redeemed itself over the years, gaining a cult adhering to and also acknowledgment for its daring take on criminal activity, blending dark comedy with sandy dramatization in a distinct means. Movie critics today value the film for its lovable lead characters, authentic representation of blue-collar life, as well as the strong chemistry between Stacy Keach as well as Frederic Forrest, which lugs the film from beginning to end.

Tradition
"The Dion Brothers" may not have actually accomplished major commercial success, yet it supplied a starting point for a number of the actors participants and filmmakers entailed. Set Carson, that was among the co-writers, went on to create various other acclaimed movies like "Paris, Texas" and also "Brewster McCloud". Frederic Forrest and also Richard Romanus appreciated resilient acting careers, as did Stacy Keach and also Margot Kidder.

Despite its initial dull function, "The Dion Brothers" stays a notable entrance in the world of criminal activity and funny films. Its blend of dark wit, action, as well as relatable characters produces a classic appeal, which remains to amuse and also reverberate with a specific niche audience amidst the evolving landscape of movie theater.

Top Cast

  • Stacy Keach (small)
    Stacy Keach
    Calvin
  • Frederic Forrest (small)
    Frederic Forrest
    Russell (Rut) Dion
  • Margot Kidder (small)
    Margot Kidder
    Margie
  • Barry Primus (small)
    Barry Primus
    Tony
  • Richard Romanus (small)
    Richard Romanus
    Carlo
  • Denny Miller (small)
    Denny Miller
    Rex
  • Clay Tanner
    Bather
  • Robert Phillips (small)
    Robert Phillips
    Gino
  • Owen Orr (small)
    Owen Orr
    Cannery Foreman
  • Jack Starrett (small)
    Jack Starrett
    Gentleman Rancher (as Claude Ennis Starrett Jr.)
  • Francesca Bellini
    Receptionist