After working as an editor on the documentary “Woodstock”, Scorsese was asked to make an exploitation film for Roger Corman, a well-known B-movie producer for American International Pictures.
Set in the Depression era and starring Barbara Hershey and David Carradine as a pair who lead a small gang into a life of crime, the film sometimes reminds us of the similar lovers/criminals-on-the-run classic five years ago when this film was released, Arthur Penn’s “Bonnie and Clyde.” Although it borrows some elements from films that preceded it and was restricted by the nature of the project, Scorsese still managed to imbue it with some of his style and energy, showing us what he could do with the limited resources given to him.
Shot in 24 days with little budget, “Boxcar Bertha” became Scorsese’s training ground for making his future, superior films. Scorsese once said that the tight scheduling of the film gave him the sense of discipline he needed.