Former Iberia Parish Sheriff Sid Hebert was supposed to play the Sheriff, but he was later replaced by Gary Grubbs. As a sort of consolation, numerous "Re-Elect Sid Hebert" signs were placed in the Sheriff's office, and other places in the film.
The scene where the shooting is taking place outside the bar was in fact a real bar from the 1970's through the early 90's. This building is in St.Martin parish, 3 miles south of St.Martinville on HWY 347. Cock fighting was a big attraction there until the bar was closed a few years before cockfighting was banned in Louisiana. The building is abandoned now.
Indirectly regarded as a goof: While it is true that John Bell Hood lost his right leg at Chickamauga, his soldiers chipped in and bought him a fine prosthetic leg of cork, imported from France. He was a Lieutenant General for Joe Johnston, then from August, 1864 until January, 1865, a full General commanding the Army of Tennessee.
Never released theatrically in the U.S., where it went straight to DVD.
Levon Helm's last acting role.