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Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster, Dana Carvey, Charles Durning, Alexis Smith ... see more see more... , Eli Wallach , Darlanne Fluegel , Monty Ash , Billy Barty , Lyle Alzado , Simmy Bow , Darlene Conley , Nathan Davis , Ruth de Sosa , James Deeth , Ellen Albertini Dow , Matthew Faison , Flea , Scanlon Gail , Rick Garcia , Graham Jarvis , Jeff Levine , John Mariano , Michele Marsh , Denver Mattson , Steven Memel , Larry Mintz , Jeanne Mori , David Michael O'Neill , Lisa Pescia , Kenny Ransom , Ron Ryan , Ernie Sabella , Joe Seely , Darryl Shelley , Hilary Shepard , Hugo L. Stanger , Jake Steinfeld , Skip Stellrecht , Donald Thompson , Eleanor Zee , Phil Culotta , Todd Hallowell , Dick Hancock , Anthony Kiedis , Cliff Martinez , Scott Nemes , Grant Aleksander , John Demy , Steven Greenstein , Jeffrey Lynn Johnson , Seth Kaufman , Jimmy Lennon Sr. , Thomas F. Maguire , Bob Maxwell , Doyle L. McCormack , Hillel Slovak , Charles Sweigart , Corkey Ford , James Clark , Harry Hauss , Michael Kelly

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 incarce... read more read more...rated 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

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50% liked it

3,089 ratings

Critics

62% liked it

13 critics

PG, 1 hr. 43 min.

Directed by: Jeff Kanew

Release Date: October 3, 1986

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Flixster Reviews (122)

  • phubbs1
    November 6, 2011
    phubbs1
    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 somewha... read moret 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.
  • fb25827189
    October 6, 2011
    fb25827189
    Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster, and Dana Carvey. Need I say more?!
  • threefolddado
    March 22, 2008
    threefolddado
    A low point in the careers of both Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas.
  • MovieGuruDude72
    April 14, 2008
    MovieGuruDude72
    One of those movies that producers dream up that features two aging fossils (i.e. actors) and that's the movie's only drawing point. I don't care how old and respected these guys are they have to have good material or the movie is going to reek like a baby diaper.
  • addienoir
    November 26, 2007
    addienoir
    If you love Douglas, Lancaster and old fashioned movie train robberies, you are going to love this movie. It is sort of a spoof of a serious film these two actors might have made together in the 40's.
    It's a lot of fun.
  • JesusOnlyKnows19
    November 10, 2006
    JesusOnlyKnows19
    To be tough you gotta make it through everyday without complaining. And who can go wthout a single complaint. That is like somebody on high Authority just leaving his job cause he does not like the way it runs anymore. You can't do that. Life does not work like that.
  • jordanhyde
    June 6, 2006
    jordanhyde
    Absolutly hilarious. Written specifically for Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas. Great fun. Billy Barty is a hoot.

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Critic Reviews

Rob Vaux
September 2, 2005
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium

A slight and breezy curtain call for one of Hollywood's best duos.

Chuck O'Leary
August 31, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

A highly entertaining buddy comedy with two legendary stars in top form.

Rob Thomas
June 9, 2005
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)

A flimsy film, but the two old pros make it worth catching.

Clint Morris
September 17, 2002
Clint Morris, Moviehole

A humourous and also fitting encore for screen's legendary duo

October 18, 2008
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Walter Goodman
May 21, 2003
Walter Goodman, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Paul Attanasio
January 1, 2000
Paul Attanasio, Washington Post

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Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Pat Graham
January 1, 2000
Pat Graham, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Tough Guys Trivia

  • Name the movie that Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas exited prison and stole a train?  Answer »
  • who connects :Halloween II,This Is Spinal Tap, Tough Guys, Opportunity Knocks, Trapped IN Paradise, Wayne's World ?  Answer »
  • What 1987 film features these "Tough Guys" - Bill Duke - Sonny Landham - Jesse (The Body) Ventura - Carl Weathers - Kevin Peter Hall  Answer »
  • In Knockaround guys, how many street fights does Vin Diesel say you need to be considered a tough guy?  Answer »
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