Tough Guys (1986)

62% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(3,089 ratings)

Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas team up one last time in Tough Guys. Harry Doyle (Lancaster) and Archie Lang (Douglas) are two old-time train robbers, who held up a train in 1956 and have been incarcerated for thirty years. After serving their time, they are released from jail and have to adjust to… More Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas team up one last time in Tough Guys. Harry Doyle (Lancaster) and Archie Lang (Douglas) are two old-time train robbers, who held up a train in 1956 and have been incarcerated for thirty years. After serving their time, they are released from jail and have to adjust to a new life of freedom, now as old men. Harry and Archie realize that they still have the pizzazz when, picking up their prison checks at a bank, they foil a robbery attempt. Archie, who spent his prison time pumping himself up, easily picks up a 20-year-old aerobics instructor named Skye (Darlanne Fluegel). Harry, on the other hand, has to waste away his days in a nursing home. They both have festering resentments --Archie for having to endure a humiliating job as a busboy; Harry for having to endure patronizing attitudes toward senior citizens. The two old pals finally go back to what they know best. After successfully robbing an armored car, they decide to rob the same train that they robbed thirty years ago. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Jeff Kanew
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 3, 1986 Wide

Critic Reviews

Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
A slight and breezy curtain call for one of Hollywood's best duos.
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
A highly entertaining buddy comedy with two legendary stars in top form.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
A flimsy film, but the two old pros make it worth catching.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
A humourous and also fitting encore for screen's legendary duo

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Featured Audience Ratings

Phil H

Legendary duo Lancaster and Douglas team up again, for the last time, in this highly amusing comedy about a couple of old boy cons released and out of date in the modern world (1986). Its now of course even more amusing as 86 was along long time ago and the film has dated somewhat… More
Legendary duo Lancaster and Douglas team up again, for the last time, in this highly amusing comedy about a couple of old boy cons released and out of date in the modern world (1986). Its now of course even more amusing as 86 was along long time ago and the film has dated somewhat haha, this doesn't detract from the fun as the two leads are really magic together and play off each other perfectly, they almost look like brothers in their natty 50's suits. The plot is pretty thin on the ground lets be frank here but the entire film is held together merely by the fantastic pairing of the two aging stars, the comedy is fair but the tough hood persona is so right for the duo. The film never gets dull for a moment as we see the guys try to live in their new world, Douglas has more of the laughs in his jobs where as Lancaster has more of the emotional side in his retirement home. Along for this ride is Eli Wallach but to be honest his role isn't really needed and seems a bit too strong for this light hearted comedy, where as Charles Durning is perfect for his usual type role of a policeman on the case, stoic springs to mind. Some great sequences, mainly the finale with the train heist which looks great, ending is a little flat and abrupt but I can't fault this top comedy, its surprising how good the duo were at comedy like this, you wouldn't think it really. Very much along the lines of 'My Fellow Americans' which is another good old boy classic.
Jason R

Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster, and Dana Carvey. Need I say more?!
Anthony V

A low point in the careers of both Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas.

Cast

            Kirk Douglas as Archie Long

            Burt Lancaster as Harry Doyle

            Dana Carvey as Richie Evans

            Charles Durning as Deke Yablonski

            Alexis Smith as Belle

            Eli Wallach as Leon B. Little

            Darlanne Fluegel as Skye

            Monty Ash as Vince

            Billy Barty as Philly

            Lyle Alzado
            
            Simmy Bow as Schultz

            Darlene Conley as Gladys Ripps

            Nathan Davis as Jimmy Ellis

            Ruth de Sosa as Teller No. 1

            James Deeth as Helicopter Pilot

            Ellen Albertini Dow as Old Lady

            Matthew Faison as Man in Gay Bar

            Flea as Red Hot Chili Pepper

            Scanlon Gail as Sym's Assistant

            Rick Garcia as Federale Captain

            Graham Jarvis as Richie's Boss

            Jeff Levine as Customer No. 2

            John Mariano as Teller No. 2

            Michele Marsh as Newscaster

            Denver Mattson as Border Patrol Captain

            Steven Memel as Derek

            Larry Mintz as Bank Robber No. 1

            Jeanne Mori as Female Officer

            David Michael O'Neill as Reporter No. 2

            Lisa Pescia as Customer No. 1

            Kenny Ransom as Gang Member No. 3

            Ron Ryan as Prison Guard

            Ernie Sabella as Hotel Clerk

            Joe Seely as Gang Member No. 4

            Darryl Shelley as Gang Member No. 2

            Hilary Shepard as Sandy

            Hugo L. Stanger as Old Man

            Jake Steinfeld as Himself

            Skip Stellrecht as Reporter No. 1

            Donald Thompson as Boy Scout

            Eleanor Zee as Restaurant Hostess

            Phil Culotta as Slam Dancer

            Todd Hallowell as Himself

            Dick Hancock as Bank Robber No. 2

            Anthony Kiedis as Red Hot Chili Pepper

            Cliff Martinez as Red Hot Chili Pepper

            Scott Nemes as Yogurt Boy

            Grant Aleksander as Bartender at Mickey's

            John Demy as Policeman in Park

            Steven Greenstein as Bartender at Virgina's Bar

            Jeffrey Lynn Johnson as Ambulance Attendant No. 2

            Seth Kaufman as Customer No. 3

            Jimmy Lennon Sr. as Himself

            Thomas F. Maguire as Armored Truck Driver

            Bob Maxwell as Syms

            Doyle L. McCormack as Train Engineer

            Hillel Slovak as Red Hot Chili Pepper

            Charles Sweigart as Jarvis

            Corkey Ford as Gang Leader

            James Clark as Brakeman

            Harry Hauss as Helicopter Pilot

            Michael Kelly as Ambulance Attendant No. 1
See full cast