Texas filmmaker Richard Linklater's lighthearted Western tells the true story of the Newton brothers, who are regarded as the most successful bank robbers in the history of the United States. The time is the early 1920s and the place is Texas. When Willis Newton (Matthew McConaughey) returns from a four-year stint in prison, he quickly falls into a life of bank robbing. Excited by the prospects of stealing even more money, he recruits his three brothers--the charming Jess (Ethan Hawke), the sensitive Joe (Skeet Ulrich), and the brutish Dock (Vincent D'Onofrio)--and ace safecracker Brentwood Glasscock (Dwight Yoakam) to help him ravage the country's banks, as long as no one gets hurt. Along the way, Willis meets and falls in love with Louise Brown (Julianna Margulies), a single mother living in Omaha. Eventually, greed gets the better of the gang and they set their sights on a federal train that is transporting three million dollars in cash and bonds. Unfortunately, the heist goes awry and the boys are threatened with jail time. Linklater's film is an affable and sweet affair, with a goodnatured tone that greatly mimics the Newton brothers themselves. Linklater alumni McConaughey and Hawke headline the all-star cast, while music by the Bad Livers keeps the atmosphere breezy throughout.
A trio of down-and-out brothers growing up on a 1920s Texas farm decide to try their hands at bank robbery--just so long as no one gets hurt. Joined by a fourth brother newly out of prison and a demolition expert, they embark on robberies up and down the U.S., culminating in a risky money train heist. Part-western, part-gangster tale, THE NEWTON BOYS is based on a true story about the most successful bank robbers in American history.
Theatrical release: March 27, 1998.
Shot on location in Texas.
The film's dedication reads: "In memory of DENISE MONTGOMERY."
An excerpt from Erich von Stroheim's classic silent film GREED appears in the movie house scene.
DVD Features:
Region 1 Encoding
Keep Case
Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Menus
Web Access
Director of Photography
Peter James: Director of Photography, MEET THE PARENTS (2000)
Production Designer
Catherine Hardwicke: Director
Story
Claude Stanush: Author
Costume Designer
Shelley Komarov: Costume designer
Review 1:
"...The film has an easygoing charm..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.88-9 04/16/1998
Review 2:
"...[The] production design is wonderfully evocative..."
Source: USA Today
p.4E 03/27/1998
Review 3:
"...[Linklater has a] consistent ability to give depth and definition to life in the margins..."
Source: Premiere
p.30 04/01/1998
Shopping Cart:
