Straight to Hell (1987)

38% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
54% of users liked it
(2,868 ratings)

This bizarre comedy spoof on spaghetti westerns was made in a hurry on location in Almeria, Spain. Simms (Joe Strummer), Willy (Dick Rude), and Norwood (Sy Richardson) are inept hitmen who decide to rob a bank. They encounter the MacMahon's (The Pogues), a quintet of caffeine-addicted gunslingers… More This bizarre comedy spoof on spaghetti westerns was made in a hurry on location in Almeria, Spain. Simms (Joe Strummer), Willy (Dick Rude), and Norwood (Sy Richardson) are inept hitmen who decide to rob a bank. They encounter the MacMahon's (The Pogues), a quintet of caffeine-addicted gunslingers who ride motorcycles across the range wreaking havoc. Elvis Costello has a reoccurring role as a waiter who is always ready with a new tray of coffee. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Alex Cox
Written By: Alex Cox
Genres: Western, Drama, Action & Adventure, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 26, 1987 Wide
On DVD: Apr 24, 2001
Studio: Island Pictures

Critic Reviews

Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
It's a very weird vibe, and it requires one to not only accept, but also embrace, boredom. If the movie has one theory, it's this: if you stare long enough at a certain spot, something weird and cool is bound to happen.
Simon Abrams, Slant Magazine
A very well put-together repackaging of Alex Cox's ode to disposable entertainments, Straight to Hell Returns is a screwy and unsound blast.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Graham J

If I can't say anything else good about this film I can say that it is a boldly strange trip.
Walter M

"Straight to Hell" starts with three hitmen, Norwood(Sy Richardson), Simms(Joe Strummer), and Willy(Dick Rude, who also co-wrote), brutally murdering a bed, instead of their intended target. Fearing for their physical safety, they hightail it out of town with Norwood's… More
"Straight to Hell" starts with three hitmen, Norwood(Sy Richardson), Simms(Joe Strummer), and Willy(Dick Rude, who also co-wrote), brutally murdering a bed, instead of their intended target. Fearing for their physical safety, they hightail it out of town with Norwood's pregnant girlfriend Velma(Courtney Love), but not before a little fundraising at the local bank. It's a shame they did not also buy a new car while they were at it because their old car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Eventually, they stumble upon a town full of desperadoes, two of whom they rescue from bounty hunters. The quirky neo-punk spaghetti western "Straight to Hell" may have one of the strangest casts of all time(now, there's an idea for a list), made up largely of musicians that also includes Dennis Hopper, Grace Jones and Jim Jarmusch.(And somehow I missed Elvis Costello.) Of everybody, Joe Strummer makes the best impression. The eclectic cast and a certain chaotic energy are what makes this at least watchable, as director Alex Cox almost stumbles across a sign of intelligent life and thought.

Cast

            Sy Richardson as Norwood

            Joe Strummer as Simms

            Dick Rude as Willy

            Courtney Love as Velma

            Dennis Hopper as I.G. Farben

            Elvis Costello as Hives The Butler

            Grace Jones as Sonya

            Jim Jarmusch as Mr. Amos Dade

            Biff Yeager as Frank McMahon

            Zander Schloss as Karl

            Sara Sugarman as Chuch

            Juan Torres as Churbo

            Jennifer Balgobin as Fabienne

            Xander Berkeley as Preacher McMahon

            Luis Contreras as Sal

            Graham Fletcher-Cook as Whitey/Jeeves

            Fox Harris as Kim Blousson

            Sue Kiel as Leticia

            Cait O'Riordan as Slim McMahon

            Ed Pansullo as Mac MacMahon

            Edward Tudor-Pole as Rusty Zimmerman

            Miguel Sandoval as George

            Michele Winstanley as Louise

            Terry Woods as Tom McMahon

            Del Zamora as Poncho

            The Pogues as The MacMahons

            Sharon Bailey as Porter

            Charlie Braun as Blacksmith McMahon

            Philip Chevron as Ed McMahon

            Chalkie Davis as Branding Victim

            Jem Finer as Granpa McMahon

            Turnham Green as McGee

            Linda the Dog as Weiner

            Shane Macgowan as Bruno McMahon

            Sean Madigan as Jarhead

            Jose Pomedio Monedero as Gomez

            Frank Murray as Biff McMahon

            Andrew Rankin as Lance

            Anne-Marie Ruddock as Molly

            Spider Stacy as Angel Eyes

            Paul Daniel Wood as Jarhead

            Kathy Burke as Sabrina

            James Fearnley as Jimmy McMahon

            Gloria Miralles Ruiz
            
See full cast