The Last American Hero (1973)

It took him 20 years to find out who he was and 2 laps to let the world know.System Requirements:Run Time: 95 minFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: PG UPC: 024543224723 Manufacturer No: 2232472 Product Description

great old car guy movie

this movie is loosly based on Junior Johnson's biography. I loved it since first seeing it in the drive in and am glad to add it to my collection September 23, 2007

the last american hero

Being a nascar fan I had pleasure following the career and familiar ways of the "hero"... January 19, 2007

Racing Driver Drama

I have not read the Tom Wolfe essay this story is apparently based on, but as a film it works quite well. Jeff Bridges, looking like a rougher member of the Beach Boys, is effective as a young guy from a small-town moonshining family, who decided he's going to take the world by storm as a champion driver. Great supporting cast includes Ned Beatty, Gary Busey, and Valerie Perrine. Kind of a cross between Monte Hellman's Two-Lane Blacktop and Rebel Without a Cause. And understand that you don't have to be a NASCAR enthusiast to enjoy the film - it's just a great drama. November 15, 2006

Great Movie!!!

This movie tells the story of a mountain boy who goes from runnin' moonshine to entering local demolition derbies and dirt races to earn money for his family. Eventually, our Hero, Elroy Jackson Jr. makes it to the heights of the sport, although that is not covered in the movie.

Jeff Bridges is one of my favorite actors of all time, and I was elated when this movie finally became available on DVD. Great story, great cast, great theme song ("I Got A Name" performed by Jim Croce). March 23, 2006

Last American Hero

This is 5 stars if you are a true race fan. Otherwise, it's still an interesting story. This film is loosely based on Tom Wolfe's essay about the younger days of Junior Johnson, although for some reason they changed his name for the film. (Notice, though, that Junior himself was a paid racing consultant on the film.) The race footage is very well done and there is some good footage from the old Southern 500. Bridges and Busey are a lot of fun to watch together as well.If you like stock car racing and wonder what the old days were like when the sport was still developing, you'll love this film. Only pity is it's not on DVD.

(Also another great film (although a little cheesy) about the old days is 43 The Petty Story starring Darren McGavin as Lee Petty and Richard Petty as himself AND Dale Inman AND Buddy Baker!!! It is a classic look at the old values that are still carried forward in the sport to some degree. It also has some insight to what NASCAR was and what it has become..Some really good vinatge racing footage is also included.) Also a pity it's not on DVD...We need to prolong the life of these smaller "special interest" films. Anyway have fun, great summmer stuff. June 28, 2003

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