Excellent adaptation.

Did you people see the same film I saw?

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

HELL ON WHEELS is undoubtedly one of the worst 'racing' B-movies in existence. It's supposed to be some dramatic brother vs. brother thriller set in the world of stock car racing, but all the viewer gets is endless grainy footage of repetitive and boring races - it could be stock footage for all I know, as it sure looks like it - padded out with singing numbers from star Marty Robbins and others.Still, I suppose I should have expected no better given that Crown International Pictures put this one out, and they did make dog after dog after all. One of the stars is the ever-youthful John Ashley, shortly to depart US shores to carve a new niche as exploitation star in the Philippines, and who can blame him on the strength of this? Even those MAD DOCTOR OF BLOOD ISLAND type films were better than this...

Tepid family drama and conflict amongst the Robbins family boys: Oldest brother Marty (a sadly underwhelming performance by legendary country singer Marty Robbins) enjoys a successful duel career as a famous country singer and champion stock car racer, surly mechanic younger brother Del (decent work by the handsome John Ashley) aspires to be an ace race car driver himself, and other sibling Steve (insipidly played by Robert Dornan) works for the feds busting moonshine runners. Flatly directed by Will Zens, blandly scripted with a numbing emphasis on boring talk by Wesley Cox, further marred by draggy pacing, Leif Rise's plain cinematography, mostly stiff acting from a hopelessly wooden cast, and a painfully meandering narrative, this drab Edsel of a film proves to be a pretty rough slog to sit through. Worse yet, the racetrack footage is surprisingly tedious and unexciting, with even the expected inevitable metal-mangling automotive smash-ups failing to deliver any genuine thrills due to the general fun-sapping lethargy that hangs heavy over this movie like a dismal fog. To be fair, there are a few minor compensations: Fetching brunette Gigi Perreau provides some much-needed spark and sassy as Del's spunky gal pal Sue and the quaint country songs possess a certain folksy charm. A dreary wash-out.

I don't like race car driving, especially in a circle, but this 1967 movie is great. The star is Marty Robbins. He is a wonderful singer who in addition to his many country hits even had a giant Rock & Roll hit in 1956, "A White Sport Coat." Connie Smith also sings, and she was then the number one female singer in Country Music. In the 60's and 70's she had many hits, including one, "Once a Day", which was number one on the Billboard charts for eight weeks making it the biggest hit recording in all of the history of Country Music ever recorded by a female singer. In the mid 60's she had three number one (on the Billboard charts) record albums. She is the best female singer ever recorded.Also, appearing in this movie is the Stoneman Family, a bluegrass country folk band, who were even popular with San Franciscans at the Winterland Auditorium. Together they sold many millions of record albums and CDs. This movie's villains are old, wimpy, and are so vastly outnumbered by the good guys that the atmosphere is relaxed. The movie is an excuse to show the wonderful singing and music.This is the last real movie of long time child star Gigi Perreau. Also, it stars Bob Dornan in one of his last movies. He went on to politics being elected to Congress from California for many years, and he got the nickname B-1 Bob, for promoting the B-1 Bomber. Contrary to someone's comment there is no nose picking in this movie. See this movie for the singing and music.

Hell On Wheels is a movie that combines the early days of NASCAR racing, moonshine, and country western music. You know that you are in for a treat! The film stars Marty Robbinson, who plays himself, and the film is essentially a show boat for his racing ability and musical talent. They try to make things interesting by including a plot about his jealous brother doing work for some moonshiners who fund his own racer so he can beat his brother. And his other brother is a member of the US Tobacco and Alcohol Tax Division, who helps shut down stilleries.Essentially, the movie in itself, loses it's flow with all the long and drawn out racing scenes with little interest, really bad country music, and it drives home Uncle Sams propaganda machine by reputedly stating that "Remember: Moonshine Kills" It's a lousy movie, but it has it's camp value, and definitely worth watching with a bunch of friends for the lone purpose of having a good laugh.THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR: Here are some things I found infinitely amusing about the film: 1.) Watch out in the second big racing scene, there is a cowboy in a red shirt and black hat. Very funny to watch. 2.) The little girl at the end, as Marty sings to her, she picks her nose right on camera.