An earthy, raucous, grainy and grim story about two hard-cursing US Navy petty officers (Jack Nicholson and Otis Young) escorting an 18-year-old prisoner (Randy Quaid) half-way across America.

He's on his way to serve an eight-year prison sentence for stealing 40 dollars from a polio collection box (it was a favourite charity of the CO's wife).

Nicholson, who's in tremendous form as 'Bad Ass' Baddusky, and Quaid were both nominated for Academy Awards.

Tough going at times, the film has an undeniable raw power which sees it through.