Straight To Hell (FILM) & Walker

[coolUNDERheat_mk.II]

This has probably been said numerous times but I really think every die-hard Joe fan HAS to see Alex Cox's westerns Straight To Hell and Walker each released in '87 (STH just got an awesome director's cut overhaul). Joe is hilarious in STH, he basically has the lead role and his soundtrack to Walker was probably my most played disc of this past summer. The movie's themselves...if you're into cult cinema, spaghetti westerns or black comedies, you'll enjoy the hell out of em like I did. STH OST is awesome too, Joe had a few tracks on there along with the Pogues and Elvis Costello and Cox's go-to soundtrack guys Pray For Rain. Awesome flicks!

[Heston]

This has probably been said numerous times but I really think every die-hard Joe fan HAS to see Alex Cox's westerns Straight To Hell and Walker each released in '87 (STH just got an awesome director's cut overhaul). Joe is hilarious in STH, he basically has the lead role and his soundtrack to Walker was probably my most played disc of this past summer. The movie's themselves...if you're into cult cinema, spaghetti westerns or black comedies, you'll enjoy the hell out of em like I did. STH OST is awesome too, Joe had a few tracks on there along with the Pogues and Elvis Costello and Cox's go-to soundtrack guys Pray For Rain. Awesome flicks!

Saw both films once and never had the urge to see them again, though I don't know if time may have been kind to them.

Both soundtracks are great though. "Evil Darling" is an underrated gem in Joe's back catalogue for me, but you have to play it really loud, it's such a murky mix. "The Unknown Immortal" is just one of Joe's best ever songs.

[eumaas]

Sorry, but Cox makes terrible movies.

[Flex]

Sorry, but Cox makes terrible movies.

I dunno, I think Repo Man is pretty awesome. Walker and Straight to Hell are pretty bad, although I agree with OP that Strummer fans probably owe it to themselves ("the fans") to check 'em out at some point.

His soundtracks are usually fantastic, as has already been mentioned several times.

[daredevil]

I didn't know STH was re-edited by the director. I'll have to see that.

[Wolter]

Sorry, but Cox makes terrible movies.

I dunno, I think Repo Man is pretty awesome. Walker and Straight to Hell are pretty bad, although I agree with OP that Strummer fans probably owe it to themselves ("the fans") to check 'em out at some point.

His soundtracks are usually fantastic, as has already been mentioned several times.

Repo Man is great. After that, there be dragons.

[coolUNDERheat_mk.II]

I didn't know STH was re-edited by the director. I'll have to see that.

Yeah it's called "Straight To Hell Returns". Same movie but better audio fx and what Cox calls "enhanced blood and cruelty". Straight To Hell is definitely a movie you just have to turn your brain off and let it come at you. It's just a stupid, violent, and fun weirdo movie IMO. I liked it loads better than Walker honestly..

And yeah Cox is a love him or hate him kinda director. I love the guy personally but I understand how he's certainly not for everyone (or most). I think we share a certain affinity for Spaghetti Westerns as he does a lot of commentary on DVD releases of Corbucci and Sollima films from the 60s and 70s.

[Inder]

I tried to watch STH years ago, but didn't make it through.

If I remember right, Joe had one great line: "Mustn't grumble."

[SteveSatch]

I don't think they'll get me to buy the new STH DVD. It's only listed as 5 minutes longer than the old one. I bought the original on VHS. Then it comes out on DVD so I buy it. I bought the soundtrack on vinyl. Then on CD. Then STH Returns on CD. They got enough of my money. Plus Alex Cox promised me that he would get me the Walker outtakes and demos that Joe made. Hours and hours of them. He said he'd make sure Dan would get them to me. Alex and Dan never came through on that despite promises made. That left a bad taste in my mouth.

[Dr. Medulla]

I actually genuinely like STH. It's a mess but (perhaps I'm being generous) intentionally so. As long as one goes into it with the idea of it being a clusterfuck spaghetti western, it's entertaining enough.

Walker, on the other hand, ain't good, apart from some of the intentional anachronisms. Those are decent touches. Joe's soundtrack is the best part of the movie, tho.

[Chuck Mangione]

Also love the Walker soundtrack. A lot of gems on there. I've seen bits of STH on youtube and even less of Walker. Still plan on getting hard copies of them someday.

[JohnS]

Straight To Hell is one of those DVDs I'm pleased to keep in my library, without having the urge to watch it all that often... but it has to be kept on tap, if only for when I want to watch the scene where Joe's character gets legless in the bar, goes for a piss out of the window and falls out! Absolutely brilliant - it makes me laugh out loud every time.
Plus, I like the bit where he's slicking his hair back with a comb doused in petrol. The whole film is bonkers.

[JennyB]

Straight To Hell is one of those DVDs I'm pleased to keep in my library, without having the urge to watch it all that often... but it has to be kept on tap, if only for when I want to watch the scene where Joe's character gets legless in the bar, goes for a piss out of the window and falls out! Absolutely brilliant - it makes me laugh out loud every time.
Plus, I like the bit where he's slicking his hair back with a comb doused in petrol. The whole film is bonkers.

This.

[matedog]

I've heard that the Jarmusch one is the only good film he was ever in and so I rented. The movie was pretty good, but Strummer was terrible in it. So I don't really have the desire to watch him act poorly in a bad movie. Straight to Hell is at least intriguing.

Oh and Walker is on Netflix Instant for those that have it.

[Flex]

I've heard that the Jarmusch one is the only good film he was ever in and so I rented. The movie was pretty good, but Strummer was terrible in it. So I don't really have the desire to watch him act poorly in a bad movie. Straight to Hell is at least intriguing.

On a side note, Down by Law is a great movie.