In 1979, Eagle Pennell and Lin Sutherland wrote and produced THE WHOLE SHOOTIN’ MATCH. SHOOTIN’ MATCH was the next independent feature film to come out of Austin after THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and it could not be more different. It’s more like a comedic ballad sung by Townes Van Zandt. SHOOTIN’ MATCH was discovered by famed critic Arthur Knight who premiered it at the Dallas USA film festival that year. SHOOTIN’ MATCH went on to play at the US Film Festival in Utah where it inspired Robert Redford to start the Sundance Institute. (It cam in second place to Claudia Weil’s GIRLFRIENDS, by the way.) Directed by Eagle Pennell (LAST NIGHT AT THE ALAMO), this influential American independent film has been lost for 25 years. Now fully restored it is a joy to watch and a tribute to the spirit of Austin, Texas in the 70s as well as to the regional filmmakers who jump started the American independent film movement. Adored by Vincent Canby, awarded four stars by Roger Ebert it is something of lost classic, now found.
Video Rating: 5 / 5
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