Almost Heroes (1998)

Two bumbling explorers hope to beat Lewis & Clarke to the Pacific Ocean as they race across America's western frontier in the early 1800's.

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Elias, the shop owner that Bartholomew Hunt goes to for a bath, a shave, and a tooth removal, is loosely based on Charles Willson Peale, a painter from colonial times who also practiced taxidermy and dentistry.

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Goofs

When Leslie Edwards is watching Guy's wife bathing, she has a thong tan line.

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Quotes

Guy Fontenot: Any man who look at my woman will die!

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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

'Almost' Perfect!

ALMOST HEROES was without a doubt one of the funniest movies of 1998. It was also one of those rare comedies that are almost perfect. After seeing it several times now, I still feel it could have been perfect if not for two things. The first being that despite the movie being very well edited, there are times when it seems that there was some serious cutting down for a PG-13 rating.

The second thing keeping this movie from being perfect is just like with OLD SCHOOL, there are some attempts at humor in the movie that seem out of place in a movie like this. Sadly, this was Chris Farley's last movie. Nearly seven years after his death, it is still hard to believe he's gone. He was in my opinion, the funniest guy ever!

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

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1