Boxcar Bertha

Main Plot

"Boxcar Bertha," directed by Martin Scorsese, is a 1972 crime drama set during the Great Depression. The film follows Bertha Thompson, a young woman who becomes a transient after her father's death. She meets and teams up with union organizer Big Bill Shelly, and together they embark on a life of crime, robbing trains and banks to survive. Along the way, they form a makeshift family with two other outlaws, Rake Brown and Von Morton. As they navigate the harsh realities of the era, their criminal activities draw the attention of the law and powerful railroad interests, leading to a series of violent confrontations. The film explores themes of social injustice, loyalty, and survival in a turbulent period of American history.

Characters

• Barbara Hershey plays Bertha Thompson, a Depression-era outlaw who joins a group of train robbers, highlighting themes of survival and rebellion against economic hardship.
• David Carradine plays Big Bill Shelly, a union leader and lover of Bertha, who becomes an outlaw fighting against corrupt railroad companies during the Great Depression.
• Barry Primus plays Rake Brown, a union organizer who becomes romantically involved with the protagonist, Bertha, and helps her in their fight against oppressive railroad companies.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of Martin Scorsese's film "Boxcar Bertha," the story reaches a tragic and violent climax. Bertha Thompson, played by Barbara Hershey, and her lover, union leader Big Bill Shelly, portrayed by David Carradine, are captured by the authorities. Bill is brutally crucified on the side of a barn by the railroad company's hired thugs, symbolizing the ultimate sacrifice for his fight against corporate oppression. Bertha is left devastated, witnessing the horrific death of her beloved. The film ends with Bertha wandering aimlessly, symbolizing her loss and the futility of their struggle against the powerful forces of the railroad industry. This bleak conclusion underscores the harsh realities faced by those who challenge entrenched systems of power and the personal cost of rebellion. The ending serves as a poignant commentary on the sacrifices made by individuals in the pursuit of justice and the often tragic outcomes of such endeavors.