Riding the Rails
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.
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
January 1, 1997
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Lexy Lovell, Michael Uys
- Original Title
- Riding the Rails
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 12m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Lexy Lovell, Michael Uys
Sam Henriques
Howard Sharp
Department Leadership Roster
Lexy Lovell
Director
Michael Uys
Director
Howard Sharp
Editor
Sam Henriques
Director of Photography
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Riding the Rails.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Riding the Rails.
Marin WW2 2
My collection so far
Love the forgotten films. Also I enjoy a good bad movies, well bathed in pig fat.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Riding the Rails
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
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 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.
Who directed Riding the Rails?
Riding the Rails was directed by Lexy Lovell, Michael Uys.
Who stars in Riding the Rails?
The principal cast of Riding the Rails includes Richard Thomas.
When was Riding the Rails released and how long is it?
Riding the Rails was released in 1997 with a total runtime of 1h 12m.