Riding the Rails
Originally released in 1997. Riding the Rails is a documentary film. directed by Lexy Lovell. At just 72 minutes, it's a tight, focused story.
Starring Richard Thomas
Synopsis
Riding the Rails offers a visionary perspective on the presumed romanticism of the road and cautionary legacy of the Great Depression. The filmmakers relay the experiences and painful recollections of these now-elderly survivors of the rails. Forced to travel more by economic necessity than the spirit of adventure, the film's subjects dispel romantic myths of a hobo existence and its corresponding veneer of freedom. Riding the Rails recounts the hoboes' trade secrets for survival and accounts of dank miseries, loneliness, imprisonment, death, and dispossession. Sixty years later, the filmmakers transport their subjects back to the tracks, where the surging impact of sound and movement resuscitates memories of a shattered adolescence and devastating rite of passage.
Quick Facts
Release Date
January 1, 1997
29 years ago
Runtime
1h 12m
72 minutes total
User Rating
5.7/10
Mixed (10 votes)
Language
English
Original language
Directors
Top Cast
Production Details
- Status
- Released
- Original Language
- EN
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Riding the Rails about?
Riding the Rails offers a visionary perspective on the presumed romanticism of the road and cautionary legacy of the Great Depression. The filmmakers relay the experiences and painful recollections...
Who directed Riding the Rails?
Riding the Rails was directed by Lexy Lovell.
How long is Riding the Rails?
Riding the Rails has a runtime of 1 hours and 12 minutes (72 minutes total).
When was Riding the Rails released?
Riding the Rails was released on January 1, 1997 in theaters.
Who are the main actors in Riding the Rails?
The main cast of Riding the Rails includes Richard Thomas.