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 | ocean | killing an animal | opening action scene | 

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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, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$6,114,928, 12 July 1998

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

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 Bart drops the egg as he is returning to the camp, the wire attached to it is visible as it flies through the air.

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Quotes

Pratt: Sir, there's an old sayin'. "White water in the morning."
Edwards: Yes?
Pratt: That's it.

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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 Cult Legends and Rising Stars: Cult Legends: Bokeem Woodbine (2016)

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Soundtracks

Lullaby
(uncredited)
Written by Johannes Brahms
Performed by Hamilton Camp

User Reviews

Incredible

For a comedy that got trashed in reviews and rediculed by movie-goers, I find this movie to be incredibly funny. The first time I saw the movie was in the theater at which time I laughed at the "obvious" laugh-parts, but it was not until I had seen it another two or three times before I picked up on the absolutely hysterical dialogue, terriffic comedy styles of the various supporting characters, and the sheer brilliance and irony the script presents. If you know anything about history, this movie becomes instantly funny. If you are a fan of almost Simpsons-style "random" humor, this film is instantly funny. Never be turned off by the first glance of this film. If you dismiss it as "poor comedy" you will be missing out.