Bound for Glory (1976)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Hal Ashby

Writers:

Robert Getchell (writer)
Woody Guthrie (book)

Release Date:

5 December 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Music

Plot:

This film is an excellent biography of Woody Guthrie, one of America's greatest folk singers. He left his dust-devastated Texas home in the 1930s to find work, and discovered the suffering and strength of America's working class.

Plot Keywords:

1930s | Singer | Texas | Desert | Dust Bowl

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

David Carradine	...	Woody Guthrie
Ronny Cox	...	Ozark Bule
Melinda Dillon	...	Mary / Memphis Sue
Gail Strickland	...	Pauline
John Lehne	...	Locke
Ji-Tu Cumbuka	...	Slim Snedeger
Randy Quaid	...	Luther Johnson
Elizabeth Macey	...	Liz Johnson
Susan Vaill	...	Gwen Guthrie
Sarah Vaill	...	Gwen Guthrie
Alexandra Mock	...	Sue Guthrie
Kimberly Mock	...	Sue Guthrie
Miriam Byrd-Nethery	...	Sick woman (water-swallowing scene) (as Miriam Byrd Nethery)
Jane Lambert	...	Other woman (water-swallowing scene)
Jan Burrell	...	Other woman (water-swallowing scene)

Runtime:

147 min | Sweden:120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

New Zealand:PG | Netherlands:12 (2005) (DVD) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-12 | Netherlands:AL | Sweden:15 | USA:PG | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Bakersfield, California, USA

Company:

Bound for Glory

Trivia:

The first film to use a long Steadicam tracking shot.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In one shot of a railroad yard, a 1960's-1970's era diesel locomotive can clearly be seen.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Gamera (#4.2)" (1991)

Soundtrack:

I Ain't Got A Home

This film was made for you and me

One can go into this film from several different angles, and be rewarded at every turn. You like history? Bound For Glory's depiction of Depression Era life is both accurate and eye-opening. You like music? The perspective gained on one of our nation's greatest songwriters is delightful in a way every man can appreciate. You like against-the-odds stories of rugged individualism? Hope you're hungry. The pace may be criticized as slow, but works in emphasizing the dreariness and despair needed to understand the motivations and emotions that lead to Woody Guthrie's greatness. The deliberate storytelling also reminds one of the manner in which Kurosawa might weave a fable. Which reminds me, David Carradine's performance is inspired. Great film any way you look at it.