Tough Guys, released in theaters on October 3, 1986, pairs Hollywood icons Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas for their last cinematic collaboration, blending comedy and crime against the backdrop of 1980s Los Angeles. The film uses the charm of its stars to tell a nostalgic, humor-filled tale about aging, legacy, and the thrill of rebellion.
Harry Doyle (Lancaster) and Archie Long (Douglas) are two lifelong friends and partners-in-crime, released from prison after 30 years for pulling off the last train robbery in U.S. history.
Stepping out into an unfamiliar world marked by changing morals and technology, they inevitably struggle to adapt.
Harry ends up in a dreary retirement home, while Archie stumbles through awkward jobs and encounters, including tangles with rude customers and a boss who dislikes ex-cons. Attempts at romance and fitting in with modern youth deliver both laughs and pathos.
The aging duo’s parole is supervised by Richie Evans (Dana Carvey), whose naivety contrasts sharply with their old-school cunning.
As they reunite with Harry’s old flame Belle (Alexis Smith) and navigate a society that seems to have no place for them, their frustrations push them toward one last heist: robbing the same train they took decades earlier.
They’re pursued by their original arresting officer, Deke Yablonski (Charles Durning), now jaded and nearing retirement, and a hilariously persistent, nearsighted hit-man Leon B. Little (Eli Wallach), who’s waited 30 years to fulfill a contract against them.
Darlanne Fluegel appears as Skye Foster.
Burt Lancaster in Tough Guys (Photo/Touchstone Pictures)
Performances and Humor
Lancaster and Douglas shine with undeniable chemistry—funny, defiant, and vulnerable as old legends out of their time.
Douglas’s comic timing, especially in scenes as an aerobics enthusiast and at new jobs, provides heart and humor.
Lancaster plays the straight man with depth, giving his role a sense of dignity amid farce.
Wallach almost steals the film as the bumbling hit-man, while Durning and Carvey deliver memorable supporting turns.
The ensemble handles classic comic set pieces with energy, balancing slapstick and bittersweet emotion.
Reception for Tough Guys
Tough Guys grossed $4.6 million on its opening weekend, finishing second at the box office.
The film would gross $21.5 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave the film two out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
Tough Guys is not remembered as a masterpiece, yet its nostalgia and star power grant it lasting affection for fans of vintage Hollywood and buddy comedies. The film was the final pairing for Lancaster and Douglas, closing out their screen partnership with humor and warmth.
Tough Guys remains a quirky tribute to aging rebels, valuing experience and resilience in a world obsessed with youth.
For those who follow cinema history, it’s a fitting swan song for two legends determined to go out with style.
