7.8/10
228,067
897 user 278 critic

Walk the Line (2005)

Trailer
1:54 | Trailer
A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins.

Director:

James Mangold

Writers:

Johnny Cash (book), Johnny Cash (book) | 2 more credits »
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Popularity
1,774 ( 114)
Won 1 Oscar. Another 44 wins & 47 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joaquin Phoenix ... John R. Cash
Reese Witherspoon ... June Carter
Ginnifer Goodwin ... Vivian Cash
Robert Patrick ... Ray Cash
Dallas Roberts ... Sam Phillips
Dan John Miller ... Luther Perkins
Larry Bagby ... Marshall Grant
Shelby Lynne ... Carrie Cash
Tyler Hilton ... Elvis Presley
Waylon Payne ... Jerry Lee Lewis (as Waylon Malloy Payne)
Shooter Jennings ... Waylon Jennings
Sandra Ellis Lafferty ... Maybelle Carter
Dan Beene Dan Beene ... Ezra Carter
Clay Steakley ... W.S. 'Fluke' Holland
Johnny Holiday ... Carl Perkins
Learn more

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Storyline

While growing up in the Great Depression era, Johnny Cash takes an interest in music and eventually moves out of his Arkansas town to join the air force in Germany. While there, he buys his first guitar and writes his own music, and proposes to Vivian. When they got married, they settled in Tennessee and with a daughter, he supported the family by being a salesman. He discovers a man who can pursue his dreams and ends up getting a record with the boys. Shortly after that, he was on a short tour, promoting his songs, and meets the already famous and beautiful June Carter. Then as they get on the long-term tours with June, the boys, and Jerry Lee Lewis, they have this unspoken relationship that grows. But when June leaves the tour because of his behavior, he was a drug addict. His marriage was also falling apart, and when he sees June years later at an awards show, he forces June to tour with them again, promising June to support her two kids and herself. While the tour goes on, the ... Written by kayleigh

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

Love is a burning thing.


Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Second time Joaquin Phoenix had a character named Jack in his movie the first one was a year earlier in 2004 where he portrayed a firefighter named Jack Morrison with the Baltimore Fire Department in Ladder 49. this one the younger character he portrays when hes older had a brother named Jack sadly both do not live to the end of the film. See more »

Goofs

In one mid-1960s scene, Waylon Jennings has long hair and a beard. At the time, Waylon was clean-shaven, with short, slicked back hair. He adopted the beard and long hair in the mid-1970s "outlaw" era. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Warden: M-Mr. Cash? M-Mr. Cash?
See more »

Crazy Credits

In the opening credits, Robert Patrick's name appears to pass through the prison bars, like his T-1000 character did in Terminator 2: Judgment Day. See more »

Alternate Versions

Originally released on DVD in its theatrical incarnation. An extended cut, adding about 16 minutes worth of additional footage into the movie, was released later on. The French Blu-Ray version contains the extended cut, while the American version contains the theatrical version. See more »


Soundtracks

I Got Stripes
Written by Johnny Cash (as John R. Cash) and Charlie Williams
Sung by Joaquin Phoenix
See more »

User Reviews

 
Great film
18 November 2005 | by radioriotSee all my reviews

Considering the formula junk coming out of Hollywood these days, I was blown away by how good this movie was. The direction was perfect. Using close ups to get us in under the skin of Johnny Cash. And since it was a period piece, he could have bored us with lots of cgi of Memphis and L.A. to take us back in time. Instead he used the actors and the music to take us there. Biopics naturally have a formula to them, but the director and screenwriter did not take us down the track of overly sentimental scenes. These were real and done with a bit of well placed humor. Just like real life. Afterall you still have to follow the real lives of Johnny and June. You can't make it up, just to be original! The movie was also a movie you can take most of the family to. No nudity and sex to SHOW how in love they are, just real dialog...it's nice to hear REAL dialog and not just another chase scene, or four letter word. Yes, some movies need that to tell the story, this one doesn't. This movie goes onto my short list of great biopics, with "Ray". Not much else comes close to Ray or Walk the Line. The true test of any biopics is: can you still understand the plot even if you never heard of the people the movie is about. This movie is a great love story even if you never heard of Johnny and June Cash. Oscars all around I say! Plus I loved the Rockabilly music through out the movie.


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English | Russian

Release Date:

18 November 2005 (Canada) See more »

Also Known As:

Walk the Line See more »

Filming Locations:

Arkansas, USA See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$28,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$22,347,341, 20 November 2005

Gross USA:

$119,519,402

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$186,797,986
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (extended cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1
See full technical specs »

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