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

Filmed in fall 1996 under the title "Edwards & Hunt." It was originally intended for release in summer 1997, but was delayed for a year due to a merger between Turner Broadcasting (which bankrolled this film) and Time Warner.

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Goofs

When attacked by the bear, Bidwell loses his leg. There are even talks of making him a prosthetic. Yet at the end of the movie you can clearly see his leg is- back.

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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

Featured in Movie Nights: Birdemic (2011)

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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

Why an amateur historian likes this movie.

As an amateur historian who has read extensively about the settlement of North America and The Corp of Discovery, I really liked this movie. While decidedly a comedy and parody of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, I found it to be surprisingly accurate. My reasons for this opinion are: 1) The costumes and accoutrements were right on. How many times since Davy Crockett have you seen a flintlock actually fire in a movie? The lodges were from Panther Primitives and Farley's pistol is an early 1800's Harper's Ferry. 2) The crew members all had distinct personalities. The members of the Corp of Discovery varied from well educated to nearly illiterate though all were accomplished at their respective skills. 3) Anyone who has ever been on a long term encampment will remember humorous events. 4) There were other explorers and adventurers on the Missouri in 1803-1806. 5) The dialog, while humorous, is accurate to the time and circumstances. If you read between the lines, you'll actually come away with a picture of 1804 North America that is surprisingly accurate rather than politically correct.

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