Hank Williams ‘The Last Ride’ Movie Finally Sees Release
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The Last Ride, a movie depicting the last days of Hank Williams as he rode in the back of his powder blue Cadillac, has finally been released to the public. On Friday (10-21-11), it debuted in 7 cities in the South, including 4 in Arkansas, where the majority of the film was shot, and where both director Harry Thomason and star Harry Thomas (Elliot from ET), who plays Hank Williams, are from. It will see a wide release in January of 2012.
On January 1st 1953, Williams was scheduled to perform in Canton, OH. Because of bad weather, he couldn’t fly as planned, and hired a freshman college student to drive him. Hank suffered from chronic back problems, and had injected himself with morphine during the trip from Knoxville, TN and also was drinking alcohol. Hank Williams died of heart failure sometime that night with varying accounts of exactly where and when, though a gas station in Oak Hill, WV is given credit as Hank’s final destination. Hank was 29.
The Last Ride is centered around Hank Williams, but the main focus is the interaction between Williams and his young driver, played by Jesse James. Hank is not called by his real name in the movie, instead traveling under the alias “Mr. Wells”, an alias Hank used often. As reviewer Philip Martin for Arkansas Online says in his review:
It’s “about” the final days of Hank Williams, but it neither slavishly follows the known “facts” nor indulges the more sensational rumors (such as the shadowy doctor allegedly traveling with Williams) that have gathered about the case . . . The Last Ride is less a fable about an icon than a sort of love story about two damaged young men who are thrown together, squabble and in the end manage to matter to each other.
Read More About the Making of The Last Ride
Find the current cities playing The Last Ride and the latest trailer below. More cities will be added later (check the schedule).
AL Montgomery, Rave Festival Plaza 16, 7925 Vaughn Road
AR Fayetteville, Razorback 16 3956 North Steele Blvd.
AR Ft. Smith, Fort Smith Cinema 16 1200 Waldron Road Suite 140
AR Little Rock, Rave Colonel Glenn, 18 Colonel Glenn Plaza
AR Rogers, Pinnacle Hills 12 2200 Bellview
LA West Monroe, Cinemark Tinseltown 17220 Blanchard
LA Shreveport, Cinemark Tinseltown 8400 Millicent Way
October 23, 2011 @ 6:20 pm
Ive been following this movie for a while, looks great and cant wait to see it.
October 23, 2011 @ 7:50 pm
Honestly! What kind of version of I’m so Lonesome I Could Cry was that awful piece of crap? In a movie about the Man himself? I’m skeptic! Hope to be proven wrong though…..
October 23, 2011 @ 8:29 pm
I’m sure this will be a very common question about this movie, and there is a very good answer. This is a low budget movie. To pay for the rights for even a few original Hank Williams songs probably would have cost more than the rest of the whole movie combined. Right now movie and TV rights for songs is the about the only thing keeping the music industry afloat. It’s unfortunate because small films like this pay for it, but I’m going to try and stay positive that this soundtrack will turn out well.
May 24, 2012 @ 1:11 pm
Let’s be honest here. Based on this trailer this does not look like a fair or honest portrayal of Hank Williams. He suffered from terrible back pain, which most of the public does not even understand, because he was born with Spina Bifida – a debilitating and painful disorder. I wish they would have done a real biopic of his life rather than this tripe. If they didn’t have enough money to even use his music then why bother? What a shame – I am a huge fan of Hank’s work and this is despicable. If you want to learn more about the man, read this great book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/444759.Hank_Williams
October 23, 2011 @ 8:11 pm
One thing I am confused about is the name of the college freshman who was hired to drive Hank Williams in the real world was named Charles Carr. But the name of the same character played by Jesse James in the movie is named “Silas Combs.” I’m guessing maybe they changed the name because they took such creative license with his character.
October 23, 2011 @ 8:26 pm
think ill hafta drive an hour or so to montgomery and go ahead on and see this
October 24, 2011 @ 12:51 am
I was ecstatic to read about this. I love the tagline ‘A story of Hank Williams: musics original bad boy’ and have to say I think the casting of Jesse James is genius. That boy looks like young Elvis, what an absolute darling! He really should think about changing that name though. However, the casting of Hank Williams is so off in my opinion. The actor looks like the poor woman’s Vince Vaughan. Then that blonde chick from those B-grade TV sitcoms turns up half way through the trailer …. urgh.
I think it needed some serious editing too. It only needed to be 60 seconds in duration. Need to get rid of some of the fluff.
I will say that the art direction looks really beautiful though, and that car. Gurgle.
Wonder if this will get an international release. When might you be seeing it Trigger? Look forward to reading your review.
October 24, 2011 @ 8:01 am
I don’t know. When there’s a showing somewhere close to me.
October 24, 2011 @ 1:52 am
Waiting for it. Any movie about Hank is a good one. I’m just confused at why there isn’t a modern big budget film out about the man’s life. Like there was about Cash. I’m guessing it’s because he seems to a lot of people more of a country hick. He never did Trent Reznor or soundgarden songs. I’m sure the folks that own the music rights would jump at that cash. There damn well should be!
October 24, 2011 @ 8:04 am
I think this movie looks like it might be great, and I’ve been looking forward to seeing it for a while. Hopefully this means the wait is going to be over soon.
October 24, 2011 @ 8:59 am
I heart Elliot from ET.
October 24, 2011 @ 9:05 am
A road trip don’t sound too awful bad neither.
October 26, 2011 @ 12:00 pm
I think it will be a decent movie. There aren’t many movie/televised things about Hank to begin with, and there are so many myth vs. truth about his life, to focus on the last 48hrs. is a great idea.
With that isolated time, they can take some creative liberties, yet not totally ignite Williams fans if it isn’t accurate about his life, since it is just the last 48 hrs. for which not many know the truth.
October 26, 2011 @ 7:51 pm
As everyone knows I love Hank Williams more than anyone. When I met and shook hands with Charles Carr it was the closest I could ever come to Hank Williams. Charles was a great guy and I cant even imagine what its like to have been involved in the most tragic evening in country music history. I just hope the movie does a good job of portraying Hank and Charles.
November 2, 2011 @ 12:15 pm
Why is Shelton not playing his grandpa??? Only seems right to me…
November 5, 2011 @ 11:11 pm
Somethings just aren’t meant to understand!
July 1, 2012 @ 5:10 pm
I saw the movie when it premiered in Montgomery Al. I grew up hearing all about Hank, He is very much a part of Montgomery, we cherish him like an old friend. I thought Henry Thomas did a great job. I think the pic tells a story, only not long enough. Hank was just a good old boy who wanted to sing. He gave his all, and didn’t mind. I saw it with my 2 teen aged grandsons who enjoyed it very much. Of course, in the south, we will always be proud of Hank, flaws and all.
July 14, 2013 @ 12:32 pm
See “Hank Williams,the show he never gave” A 1980’s Canadian production that potrays Hank as I remember him. No hollywood BS adfded