The Straight Story (1999)
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- G
- 1h 52min
- Biography, Drama
- 03 Nov 1999 (France)
- Movie
An old man makes a long journey by lawnmower to mend his relationship with an ill brother.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 18 wins & 39 nominations.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Sissy Spacek | ... |
Rose
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Jane Galloway Heitz | ... |
Dorothy
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Joseph A. Carpenter | ... |
Bud
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Donald Wiegert | ... |
Sig
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| Richard Farnsworth | ... |
Alvin
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Tracey Maloney | ... |
Nurse
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| Dan Flannery | ... |
Doctor Gibbons
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Jennifer Edwards-Hughes | ... |
Brenda
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Ed Grennan | ... |
Pete
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Jack Walsh | ... |
Apple
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Max the Wonder Dog | ... |
Farm Dog
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Gil Pearson | ... |
Bus Driver
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Barbara June Patterson | ... |
Woman on Bus
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| Everett McGill | ... |
Tom the John Deere Dealer
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Anastasia Webb | ... |
Crystal
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Matt Guidry | ... |
Steve
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| Bill McCallum | ... |
Rat
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| Barbara E. Robertson | ... |
Deer Woman
(as Barbara Robertson)
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James Cada | ... |
Danny Riordan
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Sally Wingert | ... |
Darla Riordan
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| Barbara Kingsley | ... |
Janet Johnson
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Jim Haun | ... |
Johnny Johnson
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| Wiley Harker | ... |
Verlyn Heller
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Randy Wiedenhoff | ... |
Fireman #1
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Jerry E. Anderson | ... |
Fireman #2
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| Kevin P. Farley | ... |
Harald
(as Kevin Farley)
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| John Farley | ... |
Thorvald
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John Lordan | ... |
Priest
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Garrett Sweeney | ... |
Boy in Truck
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Peter Sweeney | ... |
Boy in Truck
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Tommy Fahey | ... |
Boy in Truck
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Matt Fahey | ... |
Boy in Truck
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Dan Fahey | ... |
Boy in Truck
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Russ Reed | ... |
Mt. Zion Bartender
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Leroy Swadley | ... |
Bar Patron
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Ralph Feldhacker | ... |
Farmer on Tractor
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| Harry Dean Stanton | ... |
Lyle
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Stephen Cinabro | ... |
Policeman (uncredited)
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Gary D'Amico | ... |
Cyclist #1 (uncredited)
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George A. Farr | ... |
Wendell (uncredited)
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| Jeremy Kent Jackson | ... |
Andy (uncredited)
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Lana Schwab | ... |
Old Lady #1 (uncredited)
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Directed by
| David Lynch | ||
Written by
| John Roach | ... | (written by) & |
| Mary Sweeney | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Pierre Edelman | ... | executive producer |
| Neal Edelstein | ... | producer (produced by) |
| Michael Polaire | ... | executive producer |
| Mary Sweeney | ... | producer (produced by) |
Music by
| Angelo Badalamenti | ||
Cinematography by
| Freddie Francis | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Mary Sweeney | ||
Editorial Department
| Angela Barton | ... | second assistant editor |
| Gary Burritt | ... | negative cutter |
| Mato | ... | color timer (as Mato Der Avanessian) |
| Hugh Ross | ... | apprentice editor |
| Hilary Schroeder | ... | first assistant editor |
| Tim Wilson | ... | second assistant editor |
Casting By
| Jane Alderman | ||
| Lynn Blumenthal | ||
Production Design by
| Jack Fisk | ||
Set Decoration by
| Barbara Haberecht | ||
Costume Design by
| Patricia Norris | ||
Makeup Department
| Crist Ballas | ... | special makeup effects |
| Deborah K. Dee | ... | hair stylist: Harry Dean Stanton (as Deborah Dee) |
| Bob Harper | ... | makeup artist: Sissy Spacek |
| Sally J. Harper | ... | hair stylist: Sissy Spacek (as Sally Harper) |
Production Management
| Billy Higgins | ... | unit production manager |
| Spike Allison Hooper | ... | post-production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Scott Cameron | ... | first assistant director |
| Simone Farber | ... | second assistant director |
| Eric Sherman | ... | second second assistant director |
Art Department
| Johnny D. Culley | ... | assistant property master (as Johnny Culley) |
| Sean Everett | ... | property master (as Sean E. Markland) |
| David Hack | ... | lead man |
| Christopher Kennedy | ... | assistant art director (as Chris Kennedy) |
| Steven Kerlagon | ... | lead painter (as Steve Kerlagon) |
| Timothy W. Lobdell | ... | carpenter (as Tim Lobdell) |
| Shane Patrick | ... | swing gang |
| Thomas Traugott | ... | swing gang (as Tom Traugott) |
| David Wilt | ... | construction coordinator (as Dave Wilt) |
| Trini Wilt | ... | art department assistant |
Sound Department
| Bryan Arenas | ... | second engineer |
| Thom 'Coach' Ehle | ... | stereo sound consultant: Dolby |
| Ronald Eng | ... | sound effects editor (as Ron Eng) / supervising sound editor (as Ron Eng) |
| Mary Erstad | ... | foley recordist |
| David Lee Fein | ... | foley artist (as David Fein) |
| Patrick Giraudi | ... | additional sound re-recording mixer |
| Doug Jackson | ... | sound effects editor |
| David Lynch | ... | sound designer |
| Diane Marshall | ... | foley artist (as Diana Marshall) |
| John Neff | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Howard Neiman | ... | foley editor (as Howard Nieman) / foley supervisor (as Howard Nieman) |
| Earl Sampson | ... | boom operator |
| Walter Spencer | ... | dialogue editor |
| Lucy Sustar | ... | foley recordist |
| Susumu Tokunow | ... | location sound mixer |
Special Effects by
| Gary D'Amico | ... | special effects |
| Mike Weesner | ... | assistant special effects |
Stunts
| Rudy J. Calzavara | ... | stunt double (as Rudy Calzavara) |
| James Fierro | ... | stunt coordinator (as Jim Fierro) |
| Rick LeFevour | ... | stunt coordinator |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Amy Alarian | ... | electrical lighting technician |
| Richard Alarian | ... | chief lighting technician |
| Kevin Boyd | ... | 24 frame video operator (as Kevin P. Boyd) |
| Keith Bunting | ... | best boy grip |
| Ron Burchfield | ... | grip |
| Brendan David Butler | ... | aerial first assistant camera |
| David L. Butler | ... | aerial director of photography (as David Butler) |
| Don Cerrone | ... | key grip |
| Michael Fedack | ... | dolly grip |
| Gordon Hayman | ... | camera operator |
| Edgar Martin | ... | grip |
| Bill McConnell Jr. | ... | second assistant camera |
| William McConnell | ... | first assistant camera (as Bill McConnell Sr.) |
| Steven R. Morales | ... | assistant chief lighting technician (as Steve Morales) |
| David B. Nowell | ... | aerial director of photography (as David Nowell) |
| Scott Andrew Ressler | ... | assistant camera: "b" camera (as Scott Ressler) |
| Eric Ritter | ... | grip |
| Kathryn Roberts | ... | camera loader (as Kathryn Mueller) |
| Joshua E. Smith | ... | electrical lighting technician (as Josh Smith) |
| Scott Smith | ... | aerial first assistant camera |
| Wilson Webb | ... | electrical lighting technician |
| Michael Hoffer | ... | key grip: additional photography (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Nancy Briggs | ... | casting associate |
| Catherine Head | ... | casting associate |
| Vicki Jo Hertz | ... | extras casting assistant (as Vicki Hertz) |
| Sarah Jane Hill | ... | casting associate |
| Joan Philo | ... | extras casting |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Susan Lichtman | ... | set costumer |
| W.T. Zacha | ... | costume supervisor (as William T. Zacha) |
Location Management
| Mark Har | ... | assistant location manager |
| Bob Medcraft | ... | location manager |
| Andrew Peterson | ... | assistant location manager |
| Becky Whitehorse | ... | location assistant |
Music Department
| Angelo Badalamenti | ... | conductor / orchestrator |
| Smokey Hormel | ... | musician (as Gregory 'Smokey' Hormel) |
| John Neff | ... | score engineer |
| Walter Spencer | ... | music editor |
| Angelo Badalamenti | ... | score producer (uncredited) |
| Tom Brown | ... | music preparation (uncredited) |
| George Doering | ... | musician (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Jules Stewart | ... | script supervisor (as Jules M. Stewart) |
Transportation Department
| Pedro Amaya | ... | driver |
| Calvin Chin | ... | transportation captain |
| Richard Deangelo | ... | transportation coordinator (as Richard De Angelo) |
| Floyd Erwin | ... | driver |
| George Gowing | ... | driver |
| Joni Dee Gowing | ... | driver |
| Roy Hancock | ... | driver |
| Gracie Klein | ... | driver |
| Paul Klein | ... | driver |
| Dick McCartney | ... | driver |
| Dennis McNamara | ... | driver |
| Jerry Meyers | ... | driver |
| 'D.C.' Ressetar | ... | driver |
| Billy Scoles | ... | driver |
| Nick Swiatek | ... | driver |
| Paul Vecchio | ... | driver |
| Mickey Vendafreddo Jr. | ... | driver |
| Bruce Ventura | ... | driver |
| Ron Wilson | ... | driver |
| Gary Zarris | ... | driver |
Additional Crew
| Kent Abbott | ... | set production assistant |
| Giovanni Arcangeli | ... | intern |
| Chamonix Bosch | ... | set production assistant |
| Anita Brongiel | ... | production secretary |
| Alexander Bulkley | ... | set production assistant |
| Mary Lu Cerny | ... | assistant: Richard Farnsworth |
| John T. Churchill | ... | on-set assistant: David Lynch (as John Churchill) |
| Sean Coffey | ... | office production assistant: Asymmetrical Productions |
| Lisa DiQuollo | ... | catering assistant (as Lisa Di Quollo) |
| Michael F. Dunn | ... | assistant caterer (as Mike Dunn) |
| Ralph Feldhacker | ... | stand-in |
| Geri Paige Filister | ... | production assistant |
| Will Gatlin | ... | craft service |
| Cheryl Gibson | ... | assistant accountant |
| Tony Halsrud | ... | set medic |
| Joe Hanna | ... | chef |
| Anne Johns | ... | production coordinator |
| Brian Justus | ... | stand-in |
| Kristi Lake | ... | post-production accountant |
| Nancy Lampe | ... | stand-in |
| Ann Luster | ... | assistant: Michael Polaire |
| Paula P. Manzanedo | ... | completion guarantor: Film Finances, Inc. (as Paula Manzanedo-Schmit) |
| Patti Marshall | ... | payroll accountant |
| Julia McFerrin | ... | production assistant |
| Hitomi Nakase | ... | office production assistant: Asymmetrical Productions |
| Cheryl Nelson | ... | production counsel |
| David Oberholtzer | ... | assistant caterer |
| Gaye Pope | ... | executive assistant: David Lynch / unit publicist |
| Luis Racer Rangel | ... | set production assistant |
| Peggy Rosson | ... | production accountant |
| Jonathan Rutter | ... | press: international |
| Richard Schwartz | ... | assistant: Mary Sweeney |
| Mark Togni | ... | key set production assistant |
| John N. Ward | ... | assistant production coordinator |
| John Wentworth | ... | dailies viewer |
| John David Wolfe | ... | production assistant (as John Wolfe) |
| Robert 'Bobby Z' Zajonc | ... | helicopter pilot (as Bobby 'Z' Zajonc) |
Thanks
| Bill Chaffee | ... | special thanks |
| Darlene Chaffee | ... | special thanks |
| Scott Klug | ... | special thanks |
| Carla Rear | ... | special thanks |
| Dennis Rear | ... | special thanks |
| Alvin Straight | ... | in memory of |
Production Companies
- Asymmetrical Productions
- Canal+
- Channel Four Films
- CiBy 2000
- Les Films Alain Sarde
- StudioCanal
- The Picture Factory
- The Straight Story Inc.
- Walt Disney Pictures (presents)
Distributors
- Buena Vista Pictures Distribution (1999) (United States) (theatrical)
- Channel Four Films (1999) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Atalanta Filmes (1999) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- Bac Films (1999) (France) (theatrical)
- Buena Vista International (Australia) (1999) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Buena Vista International (1999) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Constantin-Film (1999) (Austria) (theatrical)
- Frenetic Films (1999) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
- Kommunenes Filmcentral (KF) (1999) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Paradiso Entertainment (1999) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Senator Film (1999) (Germany) (theatrical)
- Asociace Ceských Filmových Klubu (ACFK) (2000) (Czechia) (theatrical)
- BIM Distribuzione (2000) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Central Partnership (2000) (Russia) (theatrical)
- Comstock (2000) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Eurocine (2000) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Gutek Film (2000) (Poland) (theatrical)
- United King Films (2000) (Israel) (theatrical)
- Argentina Video Home (2000) (Argentina) (DVD)
- Argentina Video Home (2000) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Universum Film (UFA) (2000) (Germany) (DVD)
- Walt Disney Home Video (2000) (United States) (DVD)
- First Distributors (2001) (Hong Kong) (theatrical)
- Front Row Filmed Entertainment (2008) (United Arab Emirates) (DVD) (Middle East)
- Paramount Home Entertainment (2012) (Japan) (Blu-ray)
- Divisa Home Video (2017) (Spain) (DVD)
- Arthaus (2018) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Arthaus (2018) (Germany) (DVD)
- Disney+ (2020) (United States) (video)
- Avalon (2021) (Spain) (theatrical) (re-release) (David Lynch Universe)
- Imprint Films (2021) (Australia) (Blu-ray)
- Buena Vista International Finland (2000) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Arthaus (2024) (Germany) (Ultra HD Blu-ray)
- Buena Vista Home Entertainment (2000) (Finland) (VHS)
- Imagem Filmes (Brazil) (DVD)
- Nelonen (2012) (Finland) (tv)
- The Criterion Channel (2024) (United States) (tv) (streaming)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (2023) (Finland) (tv) (also Internet)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Asymmetrical Studio (mixing house)
- Asymmetrical Studio (music recording studio)
- Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment (camera cranes and dollies)
- City of Clermont, Iowa (special thanks)
- City of Lansing, Iowa (special thanks)
- City of Laurens, Iowa (special thanks)
- Clermont Volunteer Fire Department (special thanks)
- Deb's Country Kettle (special thanks)
- Digital Sound and Picture (foley recording facilities)
- Dolby Laboratories (sound post-production)
- Film Finances (completion guarantor)
- Great Northern Brokerage Services (insurance)
- Grotto of the Redemption, West Bend, Iowa (special thanks)
- Hanna Brothers Catering (catering)
- Hanna Brothers Film & Event Catering (catering)
- Hollywood Rental Company (lighting equipment)
- Iowa Department of Transportation (special thanks)
- Iowa Film Office (special thanks)
- Joan Philo Casting (extras casting)
- Mary's Cafe (special thanks)
- Matthews Group (lighting equipment)
- McDonald and Rutter (publicity: international)
- Pacific Title/Mirage (titles and opticals)
- Shotmaker (camera support equipment)
- Streeterville Studio (adr recording studio: Chicago)
- The Weather Channel (weather footage)
- Wow & Flutter (adr recording studio: Minneapolis)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Seventy-three year old Alvin Straight is a simple living and stubborn man who lives on his social security. He needs to do things on his own terms. He is in failing health. Both his hips are shot, which requires him to use two canes to walk. He is diabetic. He has emphysema from years of smoking. And he has poor eyesight. Beyond the obvious maladies, he doesn't tell his mentally disabled daughter Rose, who lives with him, of many of these issues. He learns that his brother Lyle Straight, from who he has been estranged for ten years, has just suffered a heart attack. Because of both his and Lyle's mortality, Alvin wants to make peace with his brother before it's too late, which means traveling from his home in the rural town of Laurens, Iowa to Lyle's home in rural Mount Zion, Wisconsin. As with other issues in his life, he needs to make the trip on his own terms, which means on his own. As he doesn't possess a driver's license and since his eyesight is bad, he decides to make the trip driving his aged riding lawn mover towing a trailer which will carry his gear and double as his sleeping quarters. After one mis-start, he is on his way. On that trip, he affects and is affected by those he encounters. But he just hopes that he can finish the trip the way he started it, and before either he, Lyle or the lawn mower give out for good. Written by Huggo |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | In life, what are the things that really matter? See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $10,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United Kingdom | GBP48,410, 05 Dec 1999 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Richard Farnsworth was terminally ill with bone cancer during the shooting of the film, which had caused the paralysis of his legs as shown in the film. He actually took the role out of admiration for Alvin Straight, and astonished his co-workers with his tenacity during production. Because of the pain of his disease, Farnsworth committed suicide the following year, at the age of 80. See more » |
| Goofs | Alvin is shown crossing the Mississippi River on the Black Hawk Bridge at Lansing heading westward into Iowa, instead of eastward into Wisconsin. This bridge, in real-life, isn't in the vicinity of Prairie du Chien; rather, it would have been the Marquette-Joliet Bridge that he crossed. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Instinct/The Loss of Sexual Innocence/Limbo (1999). See more » |
| Soundtracks | The Most Requested Song See more » |
| Crazy Credits | Walt Disney Pictures Presents: A film by David Lynch See more » |
| Quotes |
Alvin:
I'd give each one of 'em a stick and, one for each one of 'em, then I'd say, 'You break that.' Course they could real easy. Then I'd say, 'Tie them sticks in a bundle and try to break that.' Course they couldn't. Then I'd say, "That bundle... that's family." See more » |