Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalIMDb TIFF Portrait StudioHispanic Heritage MonthSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Tough Guys

  • 1986
  • PG
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
8.2K
YOUR RATING
Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster in Tough Guys (1986)
Two elderly gangsters are released from prison only to find they have trouble fitting in as old men who still take no guff from anyone.
Play trailer1:23
1 Video
75 Photos
ComedyCrime

Two elderly gangsters are released from prison only to find they have trouble fitting in as old men who still take no guff from anyone.Two elderly gangsters are released from prison only to find they have trouble fitting in as old men who still take no guff from anyone.Two elderly gangsters are released from prison only to find they have trouble fitting in as old men who still take no guff from anyone.

  • Director
    • Jeff Kanew
  • Writers
    • James Orr
    • Jim Cruickshank
  • Stars
    • Burt Lancaster
    • Kirk Douglas
    • Charles Durning
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    8.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jeff Kanew
    • Writers
      • James Orr
      • Jim Cruickshank
    • Stars
      • Burt Lancaster
      • Kirk Douglas
      • Charles Durning
    • 40User reviews
    • 22Critic reviews
    • 54Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:23
    Trailer

    Photos75

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 69
    View Poster

    Top cast64

    Edit
    Burt Lancaster
    Burt Lancaster
    • Harry Doyle
    Kirk Douglas
    Kirk Douglas
    • Archie Long
    Charles Durning
    Charles Durning
    • Deke Yablonski
    Alexis Smith
    Alexis Smith
    • Belle
    Dana Carvey
    Dana Carvey
    • Richie Evans
    Darlanne Fluegel
    Darlanne Fluegel
    • Skye
    Eli Wallach
    Eli Wallach
    • Leon B. Little
    Monty Ash
    • Vince
    Billy Barty
    Billy Barty
    • Philly
    Simmy Bow
    • Schultz
    Darlene Conley
    Darlene Conley
    • Gladys Ripps
    Nathan Davis
    Nathan Davis
    • Jimmy Ellis
    Matthew Faison
    Matthew Faison
    • Man in Gay Bar
    Corkey Ford
    Corkey Ford
    • Gang Leader
    Rick Garcia
    Rick Garcia
    • Federale Captain
    Graham Jarvis
    Graham Jarvis
    • Richie's Boss
    Doyle L. McCormack
    • Train Engineer
    Bob Maxwell
    • Syms
    • Director
      • Jeff Kanew
    • Writers
      • James Orr
      • Jim Cruickshank
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews40

    6.38.2K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    6nomoons11

    Two screen icons in their last good role

    Of course Kirk Douglas did quite a few more films after this but he didn't do em with this kind of fun in mind.

    Two former train robbers get parole after 30 years. Now they have to decide what to do when they get out. They're 65 and 72 years old and don't have a lot of skills. On top of that they don't fit in the 80's way of life. Their parole officer tells them they cant see each other for 3 years as per condition of their parole. They both have a heckuva time adjusting to this new existence and finally decide to go back to their old way of life.

    This is one of those 80's gems that I never forgot. Two great actors in their last good film doing what they do best... Acting tough and being guys....Tough Guys. Burt Lancaster is the straight man and Kirk Douglas has all the good lines. Keep a watch out for Eli Wallach...he steals almost the entire film with the small role he has. Yes you will see a very young Dana Carvey pre SNL.

    Grab this 80's flick and have a laugh cause I'll bet it won't be too hard to do.
    Coxer99

    Tough Guys

    Legends Douglas and Lancaster play two aging ex-train robbers who set out to prove they're not over the hill for one more heist. A fun film. It's nice to see two legends go head to head and have a few laughs...
    Michael_Elliott

    The Legends Make it a Must See

    Tough Guys (1986)

    *** (out of 4)

    Lifelong friends Harry Doyle (Burt Lancaster) and Archie Long (Kirk Douglas) are being released from prison after thirty-years. They were in there for the last train robbery in American history but once on the outside they find that times have changed. They find it hard fitting in with the current world so that's when Archie gets the idea of robbing the train one last time.

    If you're looking for a hard-hitting drama or some sort of nasty comedy then TOUGH GUYS certainly won't be for you. I'm really not sure why this film has gotten so many negative reviews. Look, I'll admit that this isn't a masterpiece or a classic but at the same time it's great getting to see Lancaster and Douglas working together. It's not like they were given countless great roles later in their careers so getting to see them having some fun together makes this movie worth watching.

    As far as the comedy goes, I thought a lot of it was rather funny. Yes, the story is pretty simple and the basic gag is having these two old men walking around and having to deal with "young" people. A lot of these situations are quite funny thanks to the two actors being good sports about it. There's the scene where Douglas enters a gay bar not knowing it. There are a couple other scenes where Douglas has to battle people at his pathetic jobs. With Lancaster, he plays it more straight and this includes a relationship with an old fling (Alexis Smith) of his.

    The reason to watch this movie is for the actors. Lancaster and Douglas have a wonderful chemistry together and they have no problem fitting these roles. The two of them play well off of each other and they certainly add a lot of charm to the film. Charles Durning is the cop who originally brought him down and he too has some nice scenes with the boys. Dana Carvey is fun in his supporting role as is Smith. Eli Wallach plays a nutbag trying to kill the boys and he too adds a lot of fun.

    TOUGH GUYS isn't a masterpiece and there's no question that it overstays its welcome with the extended running time. With that said, if you're a fan of the veteran cast then you'll certainly get a kick out of the film.
    7no-skyline

    Good fun, shows they really don't make them like they used to

    Tough Guys re-unites after a near 30 year gap the screen pairing of Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster and as such it's a wonderful piece of nostalgia. The premise suits the stars very well Archie Long and Harry Doyle after 30 years in prison for a train robbery are released into society and find things aren't want the used to be back in the old neighbourhood. The duo are soon mixed up with a short sighted hit-man (a scene stealing Eli Wallach), a hero worshipping parole officer (Dana Cavey), an old time cop convinced they'll rob again (Charles Durning) and some seriously 80's style thugs. Add to this just dealing with Archies day job and Harry's new life in a retirement home and their is a recipe for comedy and some surprisingly touching moments as the pair come to terms with old age.

    The film is fun and well paced although there are some big plot holes and inconsistencies you can overlook these as its not a serious film. Douglas and Lancaster are clearly having a blast making the movie and seeing them on screen again one last time is great. I'd recommend this film for a feel good comedy or a bit of nostalgia for older movie fans. 7/10
    8jflynn1-1

    Tough Guys

    Watched it again on late night TV. Still funny after all these years. You could still see the occasional flashes of the old Kirk D, chilling look etc and Burt still has the movement of an athlete even at age 73, and his trade mark mirthless laugh but it was Eli Wallach who stole the film, absolutely brilliant. I think his character was stolen by the writers of a BBC TV comedy called "Last of the Summer Wine" which has a very short sighted character called Eli. So many scenes were so good that it makes it difficult to pick the best but I think the scene outside the old folks home is excellent when Leon B. Little picks himself up using the Zimmer frame, cruel but funny.

    The ending was a bit of an anticlimax (same comment applies to "The Blues Brothers".

    More like this

    Three Fugitives
    6.2
    Three Fugitives
    Draw!
    6.2
    Draw!
    Tough Guys
    5.5
    Tough Guys
    Tough Guys
    Outrageous Fortune
    6.2
    Outrageous Fortune
    Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
    7.1
    Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
    The Vikings
    7.0
    The Vikings
    The Midnight Man
    6.4
    The Midnight Man
    Eddie Macon's Run
    5.6
    Eddie Macon's Run
    Truth or Consequences, N.M.
    6.3
    Truth or Consequences, N.M.
    The Gypsy Moths
    6.3
    The Gypsy Moths
    F Troop
    7.4
    F Troop

    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Huge cards were necessary on the set to help Burt Lancaster's fading memory, and he also had problems to read those cards.
    • Goofs
      The exterior shots of Mickey's show the doors opening outward while the interior shots show them opening inward. The hinges are standard 'saloon bar' hinges seen in every cowboy movie that features a saloon, and work both ways.
    • Quotes

      Belle: I warn you, I know karate!

      Leon B. Little: [points his shotgun at her] I warn "you", I know Winchester!

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Jumpin' Jack Flash/Tough Guys/Children of a Lesser God/'Round Midnight (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      They Don't Make Them Like They Used To
      Music by Burt Bacharach

      Lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager

      Performed by Kenny Rogers

      Courtesy of RCA Records

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ19

    • How long is Tough Guys?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 3, 1986 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Dos tipos duros
    • Filming locations
      • Belmont Tunnel - 1304 West 2nd Street, Los Angeles, California, USA(Leon B. Little exits tunnel then speaks to gang members.)
    • Production companies
      • Touchstone Pictures
      • Silver Screen Partners II
      • Bryna Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $21,458,229
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,565,342
      • Oct 5, 1986
    • Gross worldwide
      • $21,458,229
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 44m(104 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.