The Dion Brothers (1974) User Reviews

Lost Cool Film!

[shepardjessica · 7/10 · 10 July 2004]

This interesting lost film (written by Terence Malick) stars Stacy Keach and Frederic Forrest as two wacky, Southern brothers on a quest to open a seafood restaurant. Margot Kidder was never prettier and Forrest should have been nominated. Originally titled The Dion Brothers, this light-hearted flick with a violent ending is a pure joy!

Where is this film? I've been searching for it for 30 years. Keach was still great back then and I'm surprised it doesn't have more of a cult following (maybe it does). These guys are a crack-up with more ambition than brains, but totally lovable dudes!. A 7 out of 10. If you can dig it up somewhere, you'll have fun.

The Gravy Train

[NickDangerThirdEye · 8/10 · 9 March 2006]

I've tried to remember the name of this movie for years and years. Finally, read something today, 03/09/2005, that mentioned Stacy Keach's name, and it reminded me that I had seen a movie that he was in in 1974 at the Atlanta Film Festival, so, I did a Google search for Keach's movies and found The Gravy Train. We were supposed to see Duddy Kravitz at the film festival, but for some reason they were unable to show it, and instead substituted The Gravy Train. We were terribly disappointed that we weren't going to be able to see the much hyped Duddy Kravitz, and had heard nothing of The Gravy Train, and have heard nothing of it since.

However, I recall we were pleasantly surprised at how good the movie was, and as I recall, it was quite humorous. Would love to find it on tape.

RIP Frederic Forrest

[TheFearmakers · 6/10 · 25 June 2023]

THE DION BROTHERS, originally titled THE GRAVY TRAIN, if taken as a serious crime film, seems kinda bad at first; even, at times, embarrassing. Terrence Malick and co-writer Bill Kerby's script is riddled with cliches, and the characters banter the words like a mediocre Las Vegas standup act...

But when you realize it's a comedy/action team-up, it's apparent they knew what they were doing: creating a fun, and sporadically gritty, heist flick...

Frederic Forrest and Stacy Keach are blue collar brothers from West Virginia. Keach has moved to Washington DC and is a con-man in the Insurance Industry aka a guy who wants to get rich quick. Forrest is an ex-convict working in a coal mine who joins Keach and some other slackers (including Denny Miller and Robert Romanus) to rob an armored truck, which, like all heist films, doesn't go as planned...

The last half consists of the Dion Brothers, a cross between Laurel/Hardy and Dillinger/Nelson, escaping police and mob assassins at every turn...

Both leading brothers, each terrific actors, get better as the film itself improves during the third act: when the situation gets more and more desperate. And tough guy actor/director Jack Starrett guides the few actions scenes nicely, resulting in a terrific old-school shootout reminiscent of the classic gangster movies: where crime doesn't pay.

A Blast From The Past!!

[samr266 · 3 February 2001]

Man! I saw this flick when it first came out in '74. Was watching "Apocalypse Now" the other day and recognized Frederic Forrest (Chef). Then I remembered that he was in some movie with Stacy Keach and Richard Romanus where he portrayed Keach's younger and, shall we say, "less worldly" brother. One part that sticks out was when he met Richard Romanus' character--it was funny in that it was the first time Forrest's character had met a Hispanic person who wasn't Mexican. The movie is definitely "must see" material. Hopefully it will be out on DVD soon

Making some capitol in the capital.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 15 March 2022]

Imagine a late in life are they get involved in a life of crime filled with wisecracks and women and taking advantage of those who take advantage. You'd basically end up with a film like this where Hope and Crosby are replaced by Frederic Forrest and Stacy Keach takes on the role of Dorothy Lamour. It's a very funny taper movie where they go from the Midwest to Washington DC and commit a bunch of robberies, and decide how they are going to spend the grift they've grafted. It's a very funny movie where the two rising actors make their amoral characters quite likeable and amusing as they travel all over the district of Columbia.

The young Margo Kidder hasn't quite gotten the raspy voice she would become known for as Lois Lane in the "Superman" movies, but she sure is sultry. Richard Romanus plays one of their partners who gets a very good scene without barely saying a word, giving a look to one of the guys who assumes because his name is Carlos that he's Mexican, looking at them and just saying "I'm Puerto Rican", saying more with just a look and those three words then he would say with his temper. The D. C. locations are aided buy some helicopter shots that give a panoramic view of the US Capitol, and the street scenes are well directed and photographed. It's fun watching them get away with all their nonsense, the charm of their characters coming through to overtake their illegal activities. A little sleeper of a film worthy of coming out of obscurity.

Now this is action comedy

[znowhite01 · 9/10 · 8 June 2002]

Unfortunately this original mix of action and laughs is kept from cinema fans as it sits rotting in the Columbia vaults for all eternity. A shame since this may be Jack Starrett's strongest film and features a witty script by a young Terrence Malick and fully realized performances by its two leads Stacey Keach and Frederic Forrest who turn to a life of crime so they can get the money to open a seafood restaurant. Many standout scenes include interrogation by bathtub and electric razor, and an intense shootout in an abandoned building as it's being torn down by a wrecking ball!

Chatting With Stacy Keach, re: The Dion Bros.

[seagreendw · 10/10 · 6 February 2006]

I managed to record THE DION BROTHERS, off broadcast TV, (with the commercials), back in the early 80s. I've loaned it to many friends, all of whom agree it's one of the best B "bandit" movies ever made. One day, while walking to my NYC apartment, I saw Stacy Keach shooting a scene for his TV series, Mickey Spilane. We had a moment to chat, and I told him how much I enjoyed THE DION BROS, and considered it a pure classic. He thanked me, and said it was one of the best, and most memorable film experiences of his career. He was very friendly, and sincere, and I was grateful for the few moments he took to chat with a fan. This is one classic that needs to be on DVD.

Ride the Gravy Train to one great cinema experience

[dangerzone_jmw · 10/10 · 21 January 2000]

Considering this film was released 8 years before I was born, I don't feel too bad for over-looking it for such a long time. Back in January of 98 though, I attended the Second Annual Quentin Tarantino film fest held in Austin,Texas. The particular theme of films this night was "Neglected 70's Crime Films" and boy was her right. "The Gravy Train(or The Dion Brothers, as it appeared this print)" was an absolute gem. Wonderful performances, quirky characters, smart plot, hilarious comedy, and just an all around great time. Rarely do you see a Crime film that is so entertaining and fresh. Margot Kidder in one of her earliest film appearances is extremely sexy as well. I hope some cable network gets a hold of this film and allows many more to see it. In the meantime, go to an indie video store and hope they have it.

A caper movie. The story of two brothers in search of a, um... a seafood restaurant.

[alfie-5 · 10/10 · 28 January 1999]

Another one that slipped by the radar of most anyone. This little B produced gem is so full of new ideas in an old genre and so absolutely refreshing and inventive, that a dreadful feeling about the lack of cojones in today's cinema slowly overtakes your body. The final set piece is so innovative in its setting and style that it prefigures everyone from Tarantino to John Woo. Oh, and if you think "dying lines" are all cliche, wait for the dying line of FF. A piece of dialogue that could have torn you with laughter will take your heart. A true pleasure. Seek it and see it. You won't be sorry.

"Kirk f-cking Douglas!"

[Pycal · 10/10 · 27 January 2008]

These immortal lines begin The Jack Starret directed masterpiece,'The Dion Brothers'. The plot centers around two blue collar West Virginian brothers (Stacy Keach and Frederic Forrest) who commit robberies in hopes of using the money to open a seafood restaurant!!? What follows is quite an adventure, and many comedic events ensue. The action scenes are all top notch and consist of some nicely realized shootouts. The latter of which is absolutely amazing and occurs in an abandoned building being demolished by a wrecking ball! The film was written by now famous director Terrence Malick and features an early appearance by Margot Kidder. All in all, an excellent hidden gem of the 70s and easily one of the finest action/comedy hybrids every made. Hopefully it gets a decent widescreen DVD release soon.

wild, wacky, entertaining film

[grubstaker58 · 9/10 · 7 May 2006]

I happened to catch about the last 45 minutes of the movie,late night about 8 years ago. What a wild and funny 45 minutes.I was absolutely knocked out by chase-shoot-out at the end that takes place at night ,inside an old hotel that's being torn down with a wrecking ball....Incredible. I vaguely remember Stacy Keach ,stealing a cop car, faking being a cop and strong arming some winos....Wino to Keach"Hey,why Ya hasslin us?...Keach"It's my job".You're correct. They don't make them like that anymore.Great movie. The golden70's...Hopefully it will see the light of day as a DVD along with other lost treasures...Hickey and Boggs being one such.

a vague and twisted memory

[bibimimi · 23 January 2003]

I try to describe this movie to people or ask them if they've seen it and I always sound like a wombat. I just remember laughing myself wet the last time I saw it, sometime around 1985. I remember Stacey Keach or Frederick Forrest threatening some guy with a live lobster, and I remember the guy in the bathtub more annoyed than scared when they were dipping the plugged-in razor in the water. "I don't even know those guys!!" he wails as they leave. No, they don't make them like this anymore, and it's shameful. I truly think Tarantino might have been inspired by this movie when he and Clooney played the Gecko brothers in "From Dusk Til Dawn', only these brothers were A lot more fun. Pitiful, too, if it is locked away in some vault. It's the kind of movie that would turn up on FLIX at 4AM on a work night. And that's not a BAD thing...

Great film I thought "bingo" when I watch this!

[christian-56-220834 · 8/10 · 27 July 2014]

This was the best film I have seen in a long while.

From the moment I start to play online this film it was very compelling from the off.

Kirk Douglas was just amazing throughout the film and is one of my favourite actors.

The initial plot is pretty cool and the film starts quickly, without a long build up before anything interesting happens.

As the film started to get into the middle this is when I thought "bingo I'm onto a great film here I must watch this again", as I was enjoying it so much.

As the film get towards the end and the main characters start to play their parts you can see why this film is so highly rated for free on the internet.

The end sequence is one of the best ends to a movie we have ever seen, and well worth waiting for.

As the final few scenes take place, all of the plot begins to make sense properly.

With a good few laughs rolled into the bargain helped make us enjoy playing this film.

We would definitely recommend for free that you watch this film online, and then hopefully you will also think "Bingo I have found a great film here in The Gravy Train"

A Great Lost Crime Comedy Film

[brileyvandyke · 8/10 · 9 November 2021]

Stacy Keach and Frederic Forrest star in this shamefully forgotten gem from the 70's. Two southern boys tired of living in poverty and breaking their backs go to Washington DC and get mixed up with a shady New York criminal to heist an armored truck. The adventures start from there. Margot Kidder has a role in this too. Keach and Forrest were excellent in this and what they lack in brains and sophistication they make up for in guts and humor. Those two had real chemistry on film. It really is a funny film which is quite interesting.

It is a shame this film never got a release on VHS much less DVD or BluRay. It is a film that deserves viewing and greater recognition. It's an enjoyable and hilarious film.

Lost but not forgotten

[taggerez · 25 January 2009]

I used to catch this quirky product of the 1970s late at night on KTRK, Houston's ABC affiliate. I could never let this little gem go by without trying to catch a little of it and usually couldn't let go of it once I started.

Stacy Keach is the more "sophisticated" of the two Dion brothers, simply because he has chosen to sample the world outside their West Virginia coal mining community. He quits his factory job and returns to lure his bumpkin brother (played wonderfully by Waxahachie, Texas native Fredric Forrest) into a scheme to establish a seafood restaurant. The trouble is, the restaurant is to be financed via an armored car robbery with a gang that includes Denny Miller and Richard Romanus. Romanus double crosses the group and the Dion brothers take out after him. Yeah, Margot Kidder shows up but so does stuntman, director, writer & actor Hal Needham in an uncredited role as a guy in a bathtub.

GREAT MOVIE, LIME GREEN LEISURE SUITS AND A CADDY COUPE DEVILLE, this was Fantastic Film...wish it could be available for viewing today!

[[e-mail] · 27 November 2004]

why won't IFC ,Sundance,TV Land or Bravo rescue the Hundreds of Classic movies that sit in vaults in Hollywood while we are forced to watch mediocre films for rookie hollwood film school wannabe's...Matt & Ben , and Vince & Jon...are Not takin any risks...nor are they pushing anything but their own type of one dimensional portraits stuck in the Material World of INSTANT GRATIFICATION....They want it ALL NOW! when will be over this drought of creativity? Am I the only one who senses that we are in the age of cookie cuter movie-making, by people who have arrived and risen to star status overnight, and they don't dare lose any money & power by working with quality scripts that call for real acting ability.