Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Subtitles: English
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
• VHS Release Date: July 11, 1995
• Run Time: 110 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301794958
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #436,569 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bellboy: "At the time of his death, if he were on Jupiter, Elvis would've weighed six-hundred and forty-eight pounds.", August 15, 2010

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Annie Van Auken (Planet Earth) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mystery Train [VHS] (VHS Tape)

In MYSTERY TRAIN (1989), writer/director Jim Jaurmusch ties three separate stories together using a run-down Memphis motel and an Elvis song on the radio (his SUN Records slow ballad, "Blue Moon"). Night manager of the hostel where everything converges is Screamin' Jay Hawkins, of "I Put a Spell on You" fame. This song was integral to an earlier Jarmusch feature (and short) called STRANGER THAN PARADISE (1984). (Hawkins BTW does a fine job here.)

First of the trio is two youngsters from Japan who make a Memphis pilgramage to visit the home and environs of Elvis Presley. The seedy part of town where they bed down for the night may in hindsight come as a culture shock, but these two are so "into" the experience of the moment, they only spend a brief time discussing the contrast to Yokohama. Her devotion to the King and his contrary preference for Carl Perkins, plus her sweet nature and his dour one would seemingly be incompatible, yet they're very much in love with each other and this American adventure. The sound of a pistol shot is the only actual link to the other stories.

Next is an Italian widow who's just passing through on her way to Rome; her husband's casketed body awaits at the airport. She meets a chatty NJ gal who's just left her boyfriend and has nowhere to go. They spend the night at Screamin' Jay's motel, where in the small hours the ghost of Elvis appears to the widow. The two also hear that gunshot.

The final segment is darkest yet most comic of all. The jilted boyfriend of the previous vignette robs a liquor store and accidentally shoots a clerk. He and two buddies tie one on, then seek refuge at the workplace of one of their cousins, yes, the same motel. The bellhop cousin gives them a wrecked room. Later, one is shot in the leg, which leads to a car chase finale where principals of the earlier segments pass by on a train.

For those unfamiliar with his work, Jim Jarmusch's pacing and sense of place and detail can be daunting. MYSTERY TRAIN offers a most approachable way to experience his unique cinematic style. Highly recommended!


Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 imdb viewer poll rating.

(7.3) Mystery Train (1989) - Screamin' Jay Hawkins/Cinqué Lee/Masatoshi Nagase/Youki Kudoh/Nicoletta Braschi/Elizabeth Bracco/Tom Noonan/Joe Strummer/Rick Aviles/Steve Buscemi/Rufus Thomas/Tom Waits (voice)

5.0 out of 5 stars This Movie is So Refreshing, July 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mystery Train [VHS] (VHS Tape)

If you have seen more bad movies than good, this movie will be a truly refreshing experience. It was the first movie I saw by Jim Jarmusch. I rented others -- "Night on Earth," "Stranger Than Paradise" -- but this was by far better. You may describe the movie as offbeat by Hollywood's standards, but I think this movie is a hilarious, realistic slice of life movie that always surprises. You can forgive the subtitles at the beginning because the Japanese couple is so entertaining to watch. Rick Aviles and Steve Buschemi had me rolling. I am disappointed that it is not available on video, since most movie rental stores don't carry it. However, I did find it at a small town Blockbuster, but not all chains carry it, disappointing. I hope they bring it back soon. It will probably take a major hit by Jarmusch to bring his smaller films back to video. Here's hopping.

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best movies I've seen, July 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mystery Train [VHS] (VHS Tape)

great movie. it's all been said before but it is really unique and unlike most movies (in a good way). Well worth it to rent it.