Almost Heroes (1998)

A road comedy about 2 guys whose mission is to beat Lewis and Clark.

Director:

Christopher Guest

Writers:

Mark Nutter, Thomas R. Wolfe (as Tom Wolfe)

Stars:

Chris Farley, Matthew Perry, Bokeem Woodbine

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chris Farley	...	Bartholomew Hunt
Matthew Perry	...	Leslie Edwards
Bokeem Woodbine	...	Jonah
Barry Del Sherman	...	Sergeant
Robert Tittor	...	Priest at Fort Adams
Franklin Cover	...	Nicholas Burr
Patrick Cranshaw	...	Jackson (as Joseph Patrick Cranshaw)
Eugene Levy	...	Guy Fontenot
Lisa Barbuscia	...	Shaquinna
Christian Clemenson	...	Father Girard
Steven M. Porter	...	Higgins
David Packer	...	Bidwell
Hamilton Camp	...	Pratt
Jonathan Joss	...	Bent Twig
George Aguilar	...	Chief Two Roads

Storyline

Explorers Bartholemew Hunt and Leslie Edwards are setting forth against nature across the country on a journey to the Pacific Ocean against rivals Lewis and Clark. Along the way they have many mishaps and misfortunes.

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Plot Keywords:

native american | eagle | thrown through a wall | ocean | killing an animal | 

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Taglines:

Almost History... Almost Legends... Mostly Ridiculous.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Western

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for crude humor and nudity

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 May 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Almost History

Filming Locations:

Helena National Forrest, Montana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,837,928, 31 May 1998

Gross USA:

$6,136,856

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,136,856

Company Credits

Production Co:

Turner Pictures (I), DiNovi Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film marks the last leading role for Chris Farley who died five months before the film released. However it is not his last film appearance as he had a cameo for the film Dirty Work released later that same year.

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Goofs

When Hunt carries the Eagle egg back to camp, a close-up of his feet reveals that he is wearing modern boots with rubber soles and a patterned tread.

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Quotes

[a bear has come into camp]
Bidwell: My nose itches.
Hunt: Don't scratch it.
Bidwell: Feels like there's a bug up in there.
Hunt: You scratch your nose. You're dead.
Bidwell: Well, I don't know what's worse. The bear or my itchy nose.
Hunt: I think it's leavin'.
Bidwell: I'm going to scratch it!
[begins scratching his nose and the bear turns around and bites his leg]
Bidwell: [shouts] The bear is worse! The bear is definitely worse!

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Alternate Versions

A scene featuring Edwards' sweetheart, played by Parker Posey, was cut, as was the film's original ending. The re-shot ending did not include Bokeem Woodbine, resulting in his character Jonah disappearing after the fight against the conquistadors.

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Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Heartbeeps (2013)

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Soundtracks

Opus 71 Second Movement, String Quartet in D Major, 'Finale, Allegretto - Allegro'
Composed by Joseph Haydn (as Franz Joseph Haydn)

User Reviews

One of my favorites.

I love this movie. I love movies with stupid humor in them, and this movie just cracks me up. How can you not laugh? Chris Farley's one of the greats. Him, Matthew Perry and especially the rest of the cast keep you laughing from beginning to end. It's hard for me to pick a favorite character. I really like Bidwell, his misadventures had me rolling on the floor in laughter, but the comedic genius of Farley had me going too. One of my most favorite parts had to be when they bring the boat ashore and meet the Native Americans, and they think the really tall one's the Chief, but it turns out he's not, his real name's Bent Twig and he's really mentally retarded. I laughed for almost 5 minutes straight on that part. This movie's definitely in my top 10.