Reaction to the film on the last days of Hank Williams called ‘The Last Ride’ has been decidedly mixed. The movie starring Henry Thomas as Hank and directed by Harry Thomason has played a number of film festivals culminating in a star turn at the Little Rock Film Festival in early June.
However, I have found one very positive review. This is by Nelson Terry who is writing in an online entertainment site out of Little Rock called examiner.com.
Terry is particularly impressed by Henry Thomas who plays Hank Williams in the film. He seems quite willing to accept that there is no actual Hank Williams music in the movie, and he is not actually named in it either. To some extent the film focuses on Hank’s driver who is fictionalized, but Terry finds that interplay interesting.
Obviously Hank purists may find this movie unsatisfactory, but from what I have read about it, it does not diminish Hank’s reputation or stature. Here’s a portion of the review:
For a biographical film that only focuses on a few days of the life of a public figure, The Last Ride is a strong picture. I was impressed by Henry Thomas’ performance, at no point during the movie did I ever picture him as the kid from E.T. On screen, he was Hank. I thought Jesse James played his part admirably as well. Before this film began to hit the festivals, the Williams family wanted to see it to make sure it didn’t paint Hank (nor the family) in too negative a light. They watched the film, and gave it their approval. Most of the source material for this film came from interviews with Hank’s last driver (whose name was changed in the film at his request). It turned out that the experience of having a music legend die in the backseat of the car he was driving messed the kid up pretty badly (age 19 in the film, but age 17 in real life), and he didn’t really want to be publicly involved with the film.
According to the filmmakers, The Last Ride is supposed to get a wide release by Fox in September. GO SEE IT!
The whole review can be found HERE.
A Hank Williams Journal 
There is a good reason why Hank Williams (And for the matter Charles Carr, the 17 old Driver for Hank), is not mentioned in this film. And that is other, than it revolves around a man being driven by a younger man, there is NOT ONE SHRED OF THRUTH TO THIS STORY OF HANK WILLIAMS LAST DAYS, on his ill-fated journey to play in Canton Ohio on January 1st 1953. When the reviewer states the “Williams Family” gave this movie their approval, he must be referring to Jett Williams, Hanks Illegitimate Daughter, born after his death. She definitely has a stake in the success of this movie, in order to legitimize this film, they allowed 4 songs on the soundtrack to be sung by Jett (A woman who only started singing once she gained notice as being Hank Williams kin), and they have dangled a carrot of possibly making a film of her life in the future? I feel if they had used Hank’s name, the real Williams Family (Hank Jr.,Lycrecia, etc…) would have slapped a lawsuit on the film company, and all others concerned. Once again this whole episode is ANOTHER example of the film company, the actors, AND Jett Williams exploiting Ol’ Hank, for their own selfish goals. Well, I guess it will never end Hank old buddy, They WILL ALWAYS be cuttin’ you up and sellin’ you like a slice of baloney.
I would like to make a recommendation to the movie critic who placed this review of “The Ride”, please understand there are many, many fans who have a deep respect, appreciation and love for Hank Williams, and what this movie does as well as your total ignorance of Hank, and the FACTS surrounding his death. is once again it causes a deep hurt and sadness at this cheap, exploitation of the man. As a film reviewer, one can’t expect you to research the truth of each film that comes your way, but don’t make assumptions with no sound basis to make such claims. You claim that on the screen. Henry Thomas “WAS HANK” and Mr. Charles Carr was ” A PRETTY MESSED UP KID”. These statements and your overall depiction of this entirely fictitious Movie story line, are examples that demonstrate this. Mr. Terry, listen to Hank William’s & “Luke” The Drifter by yourself, and over the course of time you will discover someone who will deeply touch your heart and Soul, unlike anyone else. Perhaps you will take that first step to then read about Hank’s life and THEN, and ONLY THEN will you begin to understand how this Movie and your ignorant comments hurt Hank William fans around the world.
Regards,
Shane Finnemore.
Reflection above, well put.
I was born in London on the 1st January 1936.
I first heard Hank when I was only 14 during 1950′ when my Grandmother bought me the 78 of “Long Gone Daddy”.
After that I saved hard by selling newspapers on a street corner to buy more of his records which were not easily available, as Record Shops did not stock what was then known as Hillbilly Music, yet my Grandmother had most of the works of Jimmie Rodgers & The Carter Family, American GI’s would sometime bring these back to England if you asked them.
I ended up by the time I was 16 years with all that was available from MGM of what was available then of Hanks work.
My Grandmother and I used to get up at 5 AM on a winters morning to listen to a Radio Program called “Hillbilly Guesthouse” that was broadcast from Frankfurt Germany, my 17th birthday was due on the 1st January 1953 and I had. a Great Day as I had received some 78’s of Hillbilly Music that were not easy to obtain.
The following morning we tuned into “Hillbilly Guesthouse” only to hear of Hank’s death, it was impossible for me to go to work that day as tears would come without any warning of which I had no control.
It ended up being the worst birthday of my life, today I still have all those 78’s and still keep a Garrard 401 Transcription Turntable to play them using a Shure 95ED Cartridge purposely designed for 78’s, I also have every 45-EP & every LP that was ever released by Hank, I have a good collection of CD’s BUT NO CD’s of Hank Williams as I can’t bear to hear his wonderful music On CD or MP 3.
Its quite clear that I’m a Hank Williams Fan, so lets talk about the film.
I thought it was a brilliant piece of acting by Henry Thomas & Jesse James, after all lets be realistic you have two actors who have to entertain you for over two hours and most of the scenery is inside a Motor Car.
Alright they may have made a few bob but it was a budget film that kept me entertained for over two hours, and today, the following day, I have spent most of my lime again researching the life and times of Hank Williams.
(My all time hero)
This film moved me and has. been added to my “Watch Again” collection, what I can never understand and will always criticise is George Hamilton playing the part of Hank in “Your Cheating Heart” when the great Anthony Perkins was around, as it is a well known fact that when Hank Jr saw Anthony Perkins once while “Your Cheating Heart was being filmed, Hank’s words were
“That’s the man that should play the part of my Father ”
And thanks for your great review
Kind Regards
Tony
Arnys Shack
there’s pro’s and con’s in every situation in life … everyone with love for Hiram will want to watch the movie because we can never get enough of him… truth is does anyone know what really happened on that sad sad last ride? No, there is no official step by step documentation of Hiram’s last few days on earth. So, personally in my opinion the movie is entertaining because we all have our curiosities about the back seat of that caddy and what “really” happened. I just hope that one day someone will start a foundation for spinal bifida and donate to something Hiram suffered with and made him the legendary most famous singer in the entire world. those of us that love Hiram should not have any harshness in their heart… Hiram was a kind and gentle soul and please do not talk about people. it was not Jett’s fault she didn’t know who her daddy was and until you walk a mile in someone else’s shoes you really shouldn’t such harsh criticism. i mean no harm with my opinion here … just wanted to mention that I love all of the Williams’ family … what a great family tradition !