Country Music in the Movies

Country music plays a role in the plot and soundtrack of a number of movies. Below, I have listed some of the movies whose country music connections seem (to me) particularly rich for analysis. You can borrow many of these films for free from the UT Library or even screen them at the Fine Arts Library location.

[Note that you do not need to limit yourself to these particular movies.]

  • The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982). Starring Dolly Parton, Burt Reynolds, and Charles Durning (who won an Oscar nomination).
  • Blue Valley Songbird (1999). Lifetime movie based on a song by Dolly Parton. Parton also stars in an unexpected ginger wig.

  • Brokeback Mountain (2005). Directed by Ang Lee (who won an Oscar). Starring Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Michelle Williams. Soundtrack includes songs by Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris.
  • Cars (2006). Pixar’s racecar movie, featuring songs by country artists including Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts.
  • Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980). Life of Loretta Lynn. Starring Sissy Spacey (who won an Oscar) and Tommy Lee Jones.
  • Crazy Heart (2009). Loosely based on the life of honky-tonker Hank Thompson. Starring Jeff Bridges (who won an Oscar) and Maggie Gyllenhaal (who won an Oscar nomination).
  • The Gambler (1980). Starring Kenny Rogers. First in a long series.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89mQIfHYsyA

  • Honeysuckle Rose (1980). Starring Willie Nelson as a… country singer. Features the Oscar-nominated song “On the Road Again.”
  • Honkytonk Man (1982). Clint Eastwood directs and stars as a hard-livin’ country singer. You know you want to see Eastwood singing.
  • I’m Not There (2007). Experimental look at the life of Bob Dylan. Several actors play Dylan, but Oscar-nominated Cate Blanchett is the standout.
  • Nashville (1975). Directed by Robert Altman. Starring a bajillion actors, but standouts include Henry Gibson, Lily Tomlin, and Lily Tomlin. Nominated for several Oscars including Best Picture.
  • The Last Waltz (1978). Documentary directed by Martin Scorsese about the final concert of important country rock group The Band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZtgZ5fHOuU

  • O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000). Directors Joel and Ethan Coen update Homer’s Odyssey with bluegrass music. Starring George Clooney, John Turturo, and Tim Blake Nelson.
  • Paint Your Wagon (1969). Film version of the Broadway musical. Stars include Clint Eastwood and country rockers the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
  • Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973). Directed by Sam Peckinpah. Starring Kris Kristofferson and James Coburn. Bob Dylan also appears and contributed to the soundtrack.
  • Pure Country (1992). Starring George Strait as a country singer with complicated feelings about the limelight. Also starring Lesley Ann Warren.
  • Ray (2004). Life of Ray Charles, who recorded the first country music album to sell over a million copies. Starring Jamie Foxx (who won an Oscar) and Kerry Washington (in the thankless role of Ray’s wife).
  • Rhinestone (1984). Starring Dolly Parton and Sylvester Stallone. Won several Razzie awards, including Worst Song (“Drinkinstein”).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v1NSsFVfEA

  • Robin Hood (1973). Disney’s version of the story includes narration and songs by country megastar Roger Miller. “Love” (not performed by Miller) received an Oscar nomination.
  • Shut Up and Sing (2004). Documentary about the uproar over the Dixie Chicks’ remarks about George W. Bush and the War on Terror.
  • Songwriter (1984). Buddy comedy starring Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Lesley Ann Warren.

  • The Sound of Music (2013). Live TV musical starring Carrie Underwood.
  • Sweet Dreams (1985). Life of Patsy Cline. Starring Jessica Lange (who won an Oscar nomination), Ed Harris, and John Goodman.
  • Tender Mercies (1983). Starring Robert Duvall, who won an Oscar for his role as a heavy-drinking honky tonker. Also nominated for Best Picture.
  • Urban Cowboy (1980). Iconic movie about the Houston honky tonk scene. Starring John Travolta and country performers such as Mickey Gilley, Charlie Daniels, and Bonnie Raitt.
  • Walk the Line (2005). Life of Johnny Cash. Starring Joaquin Phoenix (who won an Oscar nomination) and Reese Witherspoon (who won an Oscar). Notable that the actors sing the songs themselves.