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Heart Like a Wheel

  • 1983
  • PG
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
Shirley Muldowney is determined to be a top-fuel drag racer, although no woman has ever raced them before. Despite the high risks of this kind of racing and the burden it places on her family life, she perseveres in her dream.
Play trailer1:14
1 Video
32 Photos
BiographyDramaRomance

Shirley Muldowney is determined to be a top-fuel drag racer, although no woman has ever raced them before. Despite the high risks of this kind of racing and the burden it places on her famil... Read allShirley Muldowney is determined to be a top-fuel drag racer, although no woman has ever raced them before. Despite the high risks of this kind of racing and the burden it places on her family life, she perseveres in her dream.Shirley Muldowney is determined to be a top-fuel drag racer, although no woman has ever raced them before. Despite the high risks of this kind of racing and the burden it places on her family life, she perseveres in her dream.

  • Director
    • Jonathan Kaplan
  • Writers
    • Ken Friedman
    • Joan McCall
    • David E. Peckinpah
  • Stars
    • Bonnie Bedelia
    • Beau Bridges
    • Diane Delano
  • See production, box office & company info
    • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    1.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jonathan Kaplan
    • Writers
      • Ken Friedman
      • Joan McCall
      • David E. Peckinpah
    • Stars
      • Bonnie Bedelia
      • Beau Bridges
      • Diane Delano
    • 18User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
    • 74Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 4 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:14
    Watch Trailer

    Photos32

    Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Bonnie Bedelia in Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Bonnie Bedelia and Beau Bridges in Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Bonnie Bedelia in Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Heart Like a Wheel (1983)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bonnie Bedelia
    Bonnie Bedelia
    • Shirley Muldowney
    Beau Bridges
    Beau Bridges
    • Connie Kalitta
    Diane Delano
    Diane Delano
    • Shirley's Sister
    Ellen Geer
    Ellen Geer
    • Mrs. Marianne Kalitta
    Dick Miller
    Dick Miller
    • Mickey White
    Michael Cavanaugh
    Michael Cavanaugh
    • NHRA Boss
    Nora Heflin
    • Nurse North
    Byron Thames
    Byron Thames
    • John (age 10-13)
    Brandon Brent Williams
    • John (age 5-8)
    Paul Bartel
    Paul Bartel
    • Chef Paul
    Steve Evans
    • Self
    Mitzi Hoag
    Mitzi Hoag
    • Shirley's Mother
    Jesse Aragon
    • Carlos
    Hoyt Axton
    Hoyt Axton
    • Tex Roque
    Bruce Barlow
    • Bass Player, Tex's Band
    Michael Barrere
    • NHRA Guard
    Missy Basile
    • Angela
    Creed Bratton
    Creed Bratton
    • Photographer
    • Director
      • Jonathan Kaplan
    • Writers
      • Ken Friedman
      • Joan McCall
      • David E. Peckinpah(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Beau Bridges replaced Charles Haid in the role of Connie Kalitta. He had filmed for several days but was allegedly fired for being difficult.
    • Goofs
      When Shirley shows up at the race track with her first dragster, Jack Muldowney says he's going to work on the "carb". The engine has Hilborn injectors, not carburetors.
    • Quotes

      Connie Kalitta: UNBECOMING, MY ASS!

      [after storming out, of the press room while the NHRA, revoked his racing license]

      Shirley Muldowney: How long?

      Connie Kalitta: Indefinite suspension.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Heart Like a Wheel/The Buddy System/La Balance/Carmen/Lonely Hearts (1984)
    • Soundtracks
      Born to Win
      Music & Lyrics by Tom Snow
      Performed by Jill Michaels
      Scotti Brothers Records

    User reviews18

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Heartwarming!
    Bonnie Bedelia turns in an outstanding performance as female drag racer Shirley Muldowney. The cars, music and clothes are right on for the time period. The film is filled with the struggles Shirley went through to juggle a racing career and still be a good wife and mother. Don't miss this movie!
    helpful•6
    3
    • Monika-5
    • Mar 5, 2000

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 1, 1983 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • American Beauty
    • Filming locations
      • Olympia, Washington, USA
    • Production companies
      • Aurora
      • Michael Nolin
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross US & Canada
      • $272,278
    • Gross worldwide
      • $272,278
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 53 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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