33 reviews
Plunder Road is an object lesson in what can be done with a low-budget and a stripped-down script. The opening moments, at night under a hard rain, are disorienting, swift, and all but silent. A gang of highwaymen has plotted to rob a train of its gold-bullion cargo. Successful, its members split off onto three separate routes to what they hope will be prosperous freedom. The movie follows them dispassionately as they individually reckon with their fates. This is a marvel of action and economy -- one of the most enjoyable offerings from late in the cycle of film noir.
Once again , I'm surprised by the lack of interest in such a good film . A gang of gold robbers melt down a haul of the precious metal to make some very pricey bumpers for their Cadillac . The climax is sensational . An interesting idea (particularly the ending)- well written , well directed and well played by all concerned . Keeps you glued to the screen from start to finish . If you're looking for a good 50s crime thriller this is it .
- BruceCorneil
- Aug 21, 2003
- Permalink
Being primarily a visual medium, one of the things film does best is illustrate the mechanics of complex items. I refer not only to the machinations of the caper plot so well achieved here, but also to big machines themselves -- trains, trucks, assembly lines. Many a great director has used the relentless workings of machines as a metaphor for inescapable fate -- think especially of Fritz Lang and the openings of Human Desire and Clash by Night.
The stars of Plunder Road are the machines themselves -- the overburdened trucks inching their way to freedom, the massive crane and huffing sabotaged train in the rain-pelted robbery scene, the bubbling cauldron at the foundry contributing to the ingenious escape plan, etc. The human characters are sketched briefly, with impressionistic strokes, but it's the mute mechanical accomplices that drive the plot and stick in the mind. This is best illustrated by the cleverly-inserted visit of a smog inspector, and again in the cruelly ironic downfall of the protagonists, who are at the mercy of their guileless vehicles.
The stars of Plunder Road are the machines themselves -- the overburdened trucks inching their way to freedom, the massive crane and huffing sabotaged train in the rain-pelted robbery scene, the bubbling cauldron at the foundry contributing to the ingenious escape plan, etc. The human characters are sketched briefly, with impressionistic strokes, but it's the mute mechanical accomplices that drive the plot and stick in the mind. This is best illustrated by the cleverly-inserted visit of a smog inspector, and again in the cruelly ironic downfall of the protagonists, who are at the mercy of their guileless vehicles.
- goblinhairedguy
- Mar 8, 2004
- Permalink
That 10-minute opening is a real grabber. I'm still wondering whether the driving rain was real or not. If so, it must have made filming difficult as heck. The problem with an opening like this is once you've hit the highlight how do you fill the remainder, which could easily pale in comparison.
Still, it's no problem for this little gem. The remaining time amounts to a real nail-biter in getting away with the gold now that the gang has stolen it. Driving big rigs cross-country is cat-and-mouse with the cops the whole way, as details of the plan unfold, and we get acquainted with the gang members.
Raymond's effective as the disciplined mastermind. I think I counted one smile from him the whole time. Then there's the familiar mug of professional loser Cook Jr. who gets a regular guy role for once. And, of course, there's the underrated Wayne Morris as the dependable Commando, just two years away from an untimely passing.
My one gripe is with the tip-offs to the cops. They're flimsy and contrived, especially the police radio in Roly's (Repp) case. Too bad, because the rest of a tight script manages a surprisingly high degree of believability, thanks to screenwriter Steven Ritch who doubles here as race car guy Frankie.
I expect director Cornfield was hoping for a break-through film on the order of the previous year's The Killing (1956), which thrust Stanley Kubrick into the front rank. He doesn't get it, but he does get one heckuva good little heist film, and so do we. And, oh yes, I could have told the gang to stay off the LA freeways at rush hour.
Still, it's no problem for this little gem. The remaining time amounts to a real nail-biter in getting away with the gold now that the gang has stolen it. Driving big rigs cross-country is cat-and-mouse with the cops the whole way, as details of the plan unfold, and we get acquainted with the gang members.
Raymond's effective as the disciplined mastermind. I think I counted one smile from him the whole time. Then there's the familiar mug of professional loser Cook Jr. who gets a regular guy role for once. And, of course, there's the underrated Wayne Morris as the dependable Commando, just two years away from an untimely passing.
My one gripe is with the tip-offs to the cops. They're flimsy and contrived, especially the police radio in Roly's (Repp) case. Too bad, because the rest of a tight script manages a surprisingly high degree of believability, thanks to screenwriter Steven Ritch who doubles here as race car guy Frankie.
I expect director Cornfield was hoping for a break-through film on the order of the previous year's The Killing (1956), which thrust Stanley Kubrick into the front rank. He doesn't get it, but he does get one heckuva good little heist film, and so do we. And, oh yes, I could have told the gang to stay off the LA freeways at rush hour.
- dougdoepke
- May 13, 2012
- Permalink
"Plunder Road" is a low budget crime film with a few familiar faces...and many unfamiliar ones. The leading men you might not be too familiar to you, as the once pretty Gene Raymond and Wayne MOrris are a bit older and more rugged in this film--and I actually think this makes them more believable and I liked their work late in their career. Another one of the crooks is Elisha Cook--a very familiar character actor.
The story is pretty familiar because caper movies were VERY popular during that era. A group of masked robbers bump off a shipment of gold on a train and their planning is meticulous. However, true to most caper films, things start to fall apart during the getaway. The gang is split into teams and one by one, things start to happen to the teams.
Overall, a well directed and interesting cheap film noir flick-- worth seeing if you like the genre and quite engaging. Not among the best of its type (such as "Asphalt Jungle", "The Killing", "Rififi" or "Grand Slam")....but still quite nice.
The story is pretty familiar because caper movies were VERY popular during that era. A group of masked robbers bump off a shipment of gold on a train and their planning is meticulous. However, true to most caper films, things start to fall apart during the getaway. The gang is split into teams and one by one, things start to happen to the teams.
Overall, a well directed and interesting cheap film noir flick-- worth seeing if you like the genre and quite engaging. Not among the best of its type (such as "Asphalt Jungle", "The Killing", "Rififi" or "Grand Slam")....but still quite nice.
- planktonrules
- Dec 30, 2015
- Permalink
Plunder Road is directed by Hubert Cornfield and written by Steven Ritch and Jack Charney. It stars Gene Raymond, Jeanne Cooper, Wayne Morris, Elisha Cook Jr. and Stafford Repp. Music is by Irving Gertz and cinematography by Ernest Haller.
After pulling off a daring train hold-up, a gang of thieves split up and hit the roads to meet up in Los Angeles in readiness to share their gold bullion spoils...
A poverty row heist noir late in the classic cycle, Plunder Road gets in and does the job without fuss and filler and with no little style. Running at just 72 minutes in length, the first portion of film is devoted to the intricate robbery that is set at night in the sheeting rain (15 minutes worth) and with barely a word spoken. It's meticulous planning, and thus this appears to be one highly tuned and professional gang of thieves. The rest of the film follows the gang, now travelling in three different vehicles, heading straight to noirville as their inadequacies and paranoia's come to the fore and noir's old faithful friend the vagaries of fate shows it's smirking face.
Cornfield and Haller (Mildred Pierce/The Verdict) atmospherically photograph the picture, using the Scope format to emphasise the impending implosion of the characters' plans as they move through the various locales and situations. It's solidly performed by the cast, with old noir hand Cook Junior doing what he does best, and Cornfield manages to eek out much suspense from what essentially is a simple story. The ending is all a bit too quick, some contrivances are to be taken with a pinch of salt, while Gertz's score is very intrusive for the whole 15 minutes heist sequence. However, this is a good and enjoyable film noir experience, even though it doesn't quite push towards the upper echelons of other heist movies in the film noir universe. 7/10
After pulling off a daring train hold-up, a gang of thieves split up and hit the roads to meet up in Los Angeles in readiness to share their gold bullion spoils...
A poverty row heist noir late in the classic cycle, Plunder Road gets in and does the job without fuss and filler and with no little style. Running at just 72 minutes in length, the first portion of film is devoted to the intricate robbery that is set at night in the sheeting rain (15 minutes worth) and with barely a word spoken. It's meticulous planning, and thus this appears to be one highly tuned and professional gang of thieves. The rest of the film follows the gang, now travelling in three different vehicles, heading straight to noirville as their inadequacies and paranoia's come to the fore and noir's old faithful friend the vagaries of fate shows it's smirking face.
Cornfield and Haller (Mildred Pierce/The Verdict) atmospherically photograph the picture, using the Scope format to emphasise the impending implosion of the characters' plans as they move through the various locales and situations. It's solidly performed by the cast, with old noir hand Cook Junior doing what he does best, and Cornfield manages to eek out much suspense from what essentially is a simple story. The ending is all a bit too quick, some contrivances are to be taken with a pinch of salt, while Gertz's score is very intrusive for the whole 15 minutes heist sequence. However, this is a good and enjoyable film noir experience, even though it doesn't quite push towards the upper echelons of other heist movies in the film noir universe. 7/10
- hitchcockthelegend
- Sep 13, 2013
- Permalink
Certainly a lot of atmosphere from the 1950s on display here, and we are on the road plenty. One is definitely drawn into the program, and it is difficult not to be interested in the details of all that is passing by before our eyes on the screen. The expressive faces, which are so strongly captured by the camera, may seem uncomfortably close at times, especially since they aren't faces of what we may call appealing folks. Keep in mind that with no counter-balance from hero figures, it may be easy to fall into rooting for some of these bad guys. A grim, stark, and memorable viewing experience.
- glennstenb
- Oct 17, 2018
- Permalink
- michaelRokeefe
- Jun 19, 2015
- Permalink
This is another of those "Poverty Row" film noirs, a crime movie made on a low budget but yet decently acted and certainly entertaining.
Gene Raymond and Elisha Cook Jr. are known actors to classic film buffs but the rest of the cast may not be too familiar. There is no one star in this film anyway but all give good performances, particularly Raymond, the most interesting member of the gang.
The weak link of the film, at least to me, was the ending...but I give it points for originality. Overall, the story was a simple one, but oddly told. I say that because the important things that happened in the film (the arrests of the criminals, for one thing) would be glossed over quickly while minor things would be detailed longer than necessary. Despite that, the film was interesting thanks to good dialog, realism on the part of the characters and the short running time (73 minutes). Hope to see it on DVD some day.
Gene Raymond and Elisha Cook Jr. are known actors to classic film buffs but the rest of the cast may not be too familiar. There is no one star in this film anyway but all give good performances, particularly Raymond, the most interesting member of the gang.
The weak link of the film, at least to me, was the ending...but I give it points for originality. Overall, the story was a simple one, but oddly told. I say that because the important things that happened in the film (the arrests of the criminals, for one thing) would be glossed over quickly while minor things would be detailed longer than necessary. Despite that, the film was interesting thanks to good dialog, realism on the part of the characters and the short running time (73 minutes). Hope to see it on DVD some day.
- ccthemovieman-1
- Dec 1, 2005
- Permalink
Whoever had the idea for this movie must have decided that the exciting part of heist movies is the robbery and the chase, so why not limit the movie to that. It doesn't really work, though, because one watches the opening train robbery without emotion, and it is hard to feel interested in the fate of the men, who escape in three trucks, since we know nothing about them--except for Elisha Cook (no longer Jr.) who talks about his plans for escaping with his son to Rio. Even so, he doesn't generate enough sympathy to make us care about these thieves who risk badly wounding or killing the train guards. Gene Raymond turns out to have a woman waiting for him, to help his getaway, but we know nothing about her either.
At times the simple suspense of wondering will the robbers be caught, and how, gives the movie some tension. But, without the high-class cinematography and pacing of another truck movie, The Wages of Fear, or our involvement in the robbers' emotions, the movie is not nearly as exciting as it might be.
There is one breathtaking moment--at the end, one of the robbers is suddenly undone by the very method he used to rob the train. The surprise of this moment, combined with its irony and justice, give the picture an emotional punch that is otherwise lacking.
At times the simple suspense of wondering will the robbers be caught, and how, gives the movie some tension. But, without the high-class cinematography and pacing of another truck movie, The Wages of Fear, or our involvement in the robbers' emotions, the movie is not nearly as exciting as it might be.
There is one breathtaking moment--at the end, one of the robbers is suddenly undone by the very method he used to rob the train. The surprise of this moment, combined with its irony and justice, give the picture an emotional punch that is otherwise lacking.
A well planned and executed train robbery is carried out in silence in twelve minutes. The take is over ten million dollars in gold. Now the six thieves -- Gene Raymond, Wayne Morris, Elisha Cook, Jr, Stafford Repp and Steven Rich -- have to get it past the roadblocks from border to border.
It's a decently done B movie, with some nice talent in front of the camera and behind it, too; Ernest Haller runs a nice camera, with an increasingly filled and claustrophobic screen. A little too much time is spent in chat, but what are you going to do when you're driving a truck several thousand miles, and the voice on the radio is always the same?
Once again, I am impressed by Gene Raymond, whom I had once written off as a pretty-boy actor from the 1930s. This was Wayne Morris' last movie shoot; one he had shot earlier sat on the shelves for a few years.
It's a decently done B movie, with some nice talent in front of the camera and behind it, too; Ernest Haller runs a nice camera, with an increasingly filled and claustrophobic screen. A little too much time is spent in chat, but what are you going to do when you're driving a truck several thousand miles, and the voice on the radio is always the same?
Once again, I am impressed by Gene Raymond, whom I had once written off as a pretty-boy actor from the 1930s. This was Wayne Morris' last movie shoot; one he had shot earlier sat on the shelves for a few years.
This movie is not very thrilling. In fact, it's rather dull.
One problem is you thrown into the film with ZERO background -- who re these guys? How did they get together? How did they plan the heist? What are they planning to do?
Basic questions that might make you care or be interested in the robbers are left unanswered. The film starts with the robbery and never generates any sort of tension.
One problem is you thrown into the film with ZERO background -- who re these guys? How did they get together? How did they plan the heist? What are they planning to do?
Basic questions that might make you care or be interested in the robbers are left unanswered. The film starts with the robbery and never generates any sort of tension.
The most prestigious B crime flick about heists, besides GUNS GIRLS AND GANGSTERS, both of the same period, late fifties, both short, sharp as a knife, with no useless shot, rough, tough gangsters stories, gritty, dark, as I LOVE, for which I would walk through a mine field. What I would not do for today's OCEAN'S ELEVEN like crap, bullsh....material. I regularely watch those films every two or three years, I don't get tired of it. Wayne Morris and Gene Raymond have never been better for my own taste. And Elisha Cook Jr - the ancestor for me of Geoffrey Lewis, I don't know why, - is also terrific, despite a supporting character. No one can get tired of it.
- searchanddestroy-1
- Feb 9, 2023
- Permalink
- bsmith5552
- Jul 9, 2017
- Permalink
Plunder Road was an okay film starring Gene Raymond, Wayne Morris, Jeanne Cooper, Elisha Cook Jr., and Stafford Repp.
Raymond heads up a group of people who work his meticulous plan to rob a train of something like $10 million in gold boullion. It's divided into three trucks - one allegedly carrying chemicals, and two (I think) carrying furniture. They are timed as to when each truck takes off and which way they travel.
This is the story of the three trucks and their various passengers as they head toward a Los Angeles foundry, where Raymond's wife (Cooper) will meet them and help. Their plan is truly ingeneous. And you know what they say about the best laid plans.
I will be honest - I watched this thing for half an hour with absolutely no idea what they were doing. I'm glad other people were fascinated by their method of stealing, etc. - I swear I couldn't tell. I don't know if it's the film or night blindness, but scenes in the dark sometimes elude me.
Raymond, a star in the 1930s, worked consistently until he died, but naturally moved into character roles and a lot of television. Wayne Morris was a cute, light leading man in the '40s - I didn't recognize him until halfway through the film. He, too, moved into character roles and television.
I have seen better execution of some parts of this film, though I'm sure the team's ideas at the time seemed innovative. I knew everything that was going to happen at the end before it did. I just wasn't that impressed.
Raymond heads up a group of people who work his meticulous plan to rob a train of something like $10 million in gold boullion. It's divided into three trucks - one allegedly carrying chemicals, and two (I think) carrying furniture. They are timed as to when each truck takes off and which way they travel.
This is the story of the three trucks and their various passengers as they head toward a Los Angeles foundry, where Raymond's wife (Cooper) will meet them and help. Their plan is truly ingeneous. And you know what they say about the best laid plans.
I will be honest - I watched this thing for half an hour with absolutely no idea what they were doing. I'm glad other people were fascinated by their method of stealing, etc. - I swear I couldn't tell. I don't know if it's the film or night blindness, but scenes in the dark sometimes elude me.
Raymond, a star in the 1930s, worked consistently until he died, but naturally moved into character roles and a lot of television. Wayne Morris was a cute, light leading man in the '40s - I didn't recognize him until halfway through the film. He, too, moved into character roles and television.
I have seen better execution of some parts of this film, though I'm sure the team's ideas at the time seemed innovative. I knew everything that was going to happen at the end before it did. I just wasn't that impressed.
$10 million in gold is being shipped by rail to San Francisco from Salt Lake City. Five men are determined to see that the gold doesn't make it. The men successfully pull-off a daring nighttime robbery and snatch the $10 million. Their plan includes loading the gold into three different trucks. At regular intervals, they set off for the coast where they intend to rendezvous and split their loot. Will they make it? (This is a film noir - you know things are bound to go horribly wrong.)
Plunder Road is a nice little low-budget noir/crime/drama film. While I enjoyed every second of the movie, the highlight for me has to be the robbery that takes up at least the first 15 minutes of the film's 72 minute runtime. Similar to Rififi, the robbery is carried out almost entirely in silence. The plan is well thought out and executed. The coordination between the five guys makes for a great watch. Director Hubert Cornfield expertly filmed this section of the movie. He wisely included almost every detail - from the masks to the gassing of the guards to the handling of the explosives. Some of the camera angles Cornfield chose helped to increase the excitement of the whole thing. I also think that filming the heist in pouring rain was a wise decision. The rain added even more suspense and atmosphere. While I'm not overly familiar with most of the cast (Elisha Cook, Jr, being the exception), they all give nice performances. I think I was most impressed with Stafford Repp as Roly Adams, but that may only be because he's familiar to me having played Chief O'Hara on Batman in the 60s. Plunder Road's ending is appropriately bleak. As with most good film noir, none of the characters comes out unscathed.
Plunder Road is a nice little low-budget noir/crime/drama film. While I enjoyed every second of the movie, the highlight for me has to be the robbery that takes up at least the first 15 minutes of the film's 72 minute runtime. Similar to Rififi, the robbery is carried out almost entirely in silence. The plan is well thought out and executed. The coordination between the five guys makes for a great watch. Director Hubert Cornfield expertly filmed this section of the movie. He wisely included almost every detail - from the masks to the gassing of the guards to the handling of the explosives. Some of the camera angles Cornfield chose helped to increase the excitement of the whole thing. I also think that filming the heist in pouring rain was a wise decision. The rain added even more suspense and atmosphere. While I'm not overly familiar with most of the cast (Elisha Cook, Jr, being the exception), they all give nice performances. I think I was most impressed with Stafford Repp as Roly Adams, but that may only be because he's familiar to me having played Chief O'Hara on Batman in the 60s. Plunder Road's ending is appropriately bleak. As with most good film noir, none of the characters comes out unscathed.
- bensonmum2
- May 24, 2017
- Permalink
- kapelusznik18
- Oct 26, 2015
- Permalink
- JohnHowardReid
- May 21, 2017
- Permalink
This is a top of the line robbery flick; with an ingenious method of both robbery and getaway. Only human error can stop the thieves. Everyone in the cast gives a good performance, and the storyline is as tight as a drum. The only weakness of the film is the ending, which because of the extremely annoying film code at the time, made it imperative that wrongdoers must be punished by the end of the film. In real life, that probably would not have happened, and with a caper like this, even less likely. There are stellar performances by Gene Raymond and Chester Morris, and Elisha Cook is always entertaining. I echoed the thoughts of the girl in the diner; I wanted them to get away with it as well; at least until they started to get out of control. Very suspenseful.
- arthur_tafero
- Jan 15, 2022
- Permalink
- punishmentpark
- Dec 24, 2015
- Permalink
When we see how professional the heist was done under hard circunstance we clearly think that an upcoming delivery will be a minor matter to overcame, but a bad planning made under fast and thoughtless way to reach to destination end up on a dead end which is clearly doomed to fairlure, in Noir movies we use to have some attractiveness with the gang against to whole system, the heist's brain who commited some unbelivable mistakes, like loading coffee that gross weight is lower than gold bars is markedly primary, but the worst thing was be offer at foundry, such odd idea to make a bumper melting gold was most unsuitable weird reason to do, no mention a bad lucky as disclosed at final scene!!!
Resume:
First watch: 2018 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.25
Resume:
First watch: 2018 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.25
- elo-equipamentos
- Sep 30, 2018
- Permalink
- bombersflyup
- Nov 1, 2019
- Permalink