Last American Hero

This is one of my favorite gear head movies.Some really great footage of 311 Speedway and Hickory Speedway.In 1993 I visited 311 Speedway for my first time with a sprint car team to race there.I couldn't believe how I knew just about every inch of the property because of the Last American Hero movie.It was a great experience.This movie captures the vibe that was alive in the early 70's of muscle cars and the will to make it to Winston Cup Racing.It's a fantastic,laid back,country folk,style movie that builds to a dream ending dream!Sam Ard's #00 gets a lot of attention as well as Bobby Allison's #12 owned by Junior Johnson gets a lot of footage as well.Enjoy if you can.I have since 1973....

This movie is what any NASCAR fan should see.

From the simple fact that not every driver comes with a clean background. You have to do what it takes to live. With that in mind and not giving the story away Jeff Bridges character Junior Jackson does what it takes to make the money. And that of course but racing. From the lower circuits to the higher ones This is kind of a fast pace movie, but its kind of dry. For the viewer that can sit threw the slow times and watch a movie for how a movie should be (for the story) you will enjoy it.

A good underrated movie, and I recommend you see it.

I watched this movie today on AMC and loved it. I don't know how well the film was received upon release, but in light of the current Hollywood narrative for action movies, Last American Hero deserves appreciation. It should definitely be considered an American classic.

The movie is a docu-drama based on the few years in the life of Junior Johnson, a famous stock car racer. A young Jeff Bridges brings the main character to life with a great performance, inspired and entertaining. The supporting cast is also excellent with Gary Busey as the brother and Valerie Perrine as the love interest.

All the elements of a great movie that time forgot: thrilling racing scenes, three-dimensional characters, humor, a complicated plot, and so on.. It's a shame that action movies today don't sacrifice some of the explosions, blood, and high-tech props for the type of entertainment and engrossment that Last American Hero delivers.

Jeff Bridges' combination of redneck roughness and choirboy sweetness is just right for this 1973 tale of a poor Southern boy, Junior Jackson, making good on the car racing track. The movie is based on Tom Wolfe's articles about the famous stock car racer, Junior Johnson, whom Wolfe dubbed "The Last American Hero". Cinematic Junior, like the real one, learns how to drive hard and fast while running the moonshine whiskey made by his father. The movie covers the first year or so of his career, from when he takes up racing to raise money while his father is in jail, until his first big win.

The movie celebrates individuality and competitiveness, but despite all his skill, guts and cheek, even Junior can't make it by himself. Real success comes only after he gives up his independent status, and agrees to drive for a car-maker (Ed Lauter). Also in support are his family, with Art Lund and Gary Busey excellent as his father and brother; and a stock car groupie (Valerie Perrine) who retains a soft spot for him, whoever else she's currently sleeping with. However, for many viewers, the main interest of the film will lie less in its plot, characterisations, or "right stuff" message, than in the atmosphere and thrills of the races which the movie graphically captures.

This is what the Dukes of Hazzard could have been,or at least this help inspired the Dukes.Junior Jackson drives a Mustang fastback,he runs moonshine in it,he outruns the revenoors in it,he races it on the track (sorta like the General Lee?).When his racing ambition outgrows the Mustang,he buys a Chevy (ugg) and proceeds to move on to an established team.This is the story of Junior Johnson,long time NASCAR racer and car owner.His family runs moonshine,but is trying to conform to modern tastes.Juniors talent makes him a star,and catches the eye of cute in the face V Perrine.A very southern story,a very southern feel,a great big slice of a time gone by.Bridges is excellent as Junior.Don't think anybody could have done as well.His smirks and facial expressions (or lack thereof) are classic.Very underrated film.Should have been given more attention.