The Newton Boys
The saga of the Newton gang, widely regarded as history's most successful bank robbers, owing to their meticulous planning and a commitment to minimal violence.
Director(s)
Trey Batchelor
Vincent Palmo Jr.
Gregory Jacobs
Fred Lerner
Richard Linklater
Cast & Crew
Details
Reviews
CinemaSerf
Richard Linklater has tried hard with his cast here, but somehow this tale of the real life Newton gang whose criminal career culminated in one of America's most infamous train robberies just doesn't catch fire - at all. Matthew McConaughey (Willis) leads his brothers Jess (Ethan Hawke), Joe (Sweet Ulrich) and the scene stealing Vincent D'Onofrio (Dock) as the young men conclude - with the complicity of their mother (Gail Cronauer) that they don't need to live in rural penury for ever, and that with some meticulous planning they can accrue a considerable fortune without harming anyone but by robbing the railroad. Sadly, though, the actors don't really gel - they are four men who seem to be vying for screen time as much as anything else; there is little evidence of a team on screen which rather belies the truth about why this gang were at all successful. It does move a long apace, though - there is plenty of gun action and some fun pyrotechnics as their antics gain momentum and their targets become bigger. Historically, the ending is quite interesting - and I think quite suitable, though I very much doubt the railroad saw it that way. It's watchable, the production is fine and the dialogue is quite lively at times, but in the end, the sum of the parts just doesn't make for much of an whole. Disappointing.
The Newton Boys FAQs
The directors of The Newton Boys are Trey Batchelor, Vincent Palmo Jr., Gregory Jacobs, Fred Lerner, and Richard Linklater.
The cast of The Newton Boys includes Anne Stedman as Madeline, Lori Heuring as Flapper, Dwight Yoakam as Brentwood Glasscock, Matthew McConaughey as Willis Newton, Skeet Ulrich as Joe Newton, Vincent D'Onofrio as Dock Newton, Julianna Margulies as Louise Brown, Bo Hopkins as K.P. Aldrich, Boots Southerland as Wagon Driver, Ethan Hawke as Jess Newton, Gary Moody as Crooked Banker, Gavin Perry as Party Guest (uncredited), and more.
The duration of The Newton Boys is 2h 2 mins.
The Newton Boys was released on 26 Mar 1998.
The Newton Boys is listed under Crime, Action, and Drama on Fanbiz.
The Newton Boys has 1 review on Fanziz, with an average rating of 6.0/10. One reviewer wrote: "Richard Linklater has tried hard with his cast here, but somehow this tale of the real life Newton gang whose criminal career culminated in one of America's most infamous train..."
