Some of the interviewees were relatively well off but most were dirt poor. Some were thrown out of their homes but most simply had to leave because their families could no longer afford to keep them. Some were even attracted to life on the road in surprisingly modern ways: One man recalls seeing a 1933 Warner Brothers' film called Wild Boys of the Road, which was meant to be a cautionary tale against leaving home but actually fed a curiosity and longing for the freedom and independence of riding the rails.

The film tackles the subject from a variety of angles. In numerous lyrical sequences it hints at the romanticism of the hobo life, with music and beautiful shots of the endless views from the top of a train. It also details the inherent danger in the lifestyle (one letter read by a narrator finds a youth complaining of violent vomiting brought on from breathing endless amounts of thick black smoke; Others detail police beatings). In addition to the risks was the loneliness. One former hobo, now an elderly man, recalls spending his 18th birthday alone eating a crushed cake his mother mailed him and crying.

The film is simple, made up of affecting interviews and perfect period footage, but even the little flourishes help tell the story. The filmmakers accompany one interviewee (who at 72 plays it "safe" by usually waiting until trains stop before hopping on) as he relives his childhood life. Whether it was the still-powerful cowboy mythology or the beacon of lucrative work in cities like New York and Chicago (hopeless in most cases) the need to leave home and see the world was strong for the generation discussed in Riding the Rails. Thankfully this thoughtful film captures their experiences in their own words before they're all gone.

VIDEO:
The full-frame video is clean, if a touch grainy, and up to PBS standards. The archival footage is understandably gritty but the film overall looks fine.

AUDIO:
The Dolby Digital soundtrack is simple and to the point. Interviews are clear and the classic music by artists like Woody Guthrie, Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry sounds good.

EXTRAS:
The disc also includes an interesting interview with the filmmakers (standing on railroad tracks, of course) describing the process of making the film. They began the process by soliciting letters from former teenage train riders and got about 3000, so their story is worthwhile as well. A slideshow of wonderful period photos scored with "The Highway Hobo" is also a nice feature, as is an on-screen excerpt from the book "Riding the Rails: Teenagers on the Move During the Great Depression."

FINAL THOUGHTS:
A simple, moving document on a nearly forgotten time, Riding the Rails is a perfect piece for those interested in American history. There is a lot to learn about human nature from these experiences and the filmmakers and subjects are all eloquent and intelligent enough to tell the story.