The Last Detail (1973 Hal Ashby)

Written by Robert Towne (Oscar nominated), from Darryl Ponicsan's novel (writer also of Cinderella Liberty), a follow up to the quirky Ashby's Harold and Maude. The scene where they eat hot dogs dipped in the mustard bottle (Jack's forgotten the buns) is very Ashby.

It's funny that the bad language which was such an issue then now passes over our heads.

Jack Nicholson is great (Oscar nominated) as the mercurial 'Bad Ass' Buddusky, Otis Young is his more balanced counterpart. They escort Randy Quaid to naval prison across a wintry USA, gradually grow to like him - through many long dissolves (Robert Jones edited) - Quaid also nominated. Michael Chapman on camera makes it all look very cold and gritty.

With Clifton James, Carol Kane (Dog Day Afternoon, Annie Hall, Taxi).

Ashby had a most interesting career, but it burned him out. He died at 59 after years in the wilderness. The Slugger's Wife (1985), written by Neil Simon, was taken away from him, as was his last film 8 Million Ways To Die (1986), with Jeff Bridges and Rosanna Arquette.