Was Once a Hero

I was excited to see this film because part of it was filmed in our local ,"Old Bedford Village." I was so impressed with the quality of the film. The story held your interest throughout. I laughed and cried and truely believed the very talented actors. The sets, scenery and costumes were true to the period. Most people now have someone they know and love who struggle with dementia. The hero here shows how, despite his failing memory, he is able to hold on to his moral strengths and that there is still meaning to his life and he can be useful to others. I will recommend this movie to all my friends.

I love westerns, and I'm a Darby Hinton fan. I also like the writings of Dan Searles, so I was looking forward to seeing Was Once A Hero last June.

The movie FAR exceeded my expectations.

So well written, and all the actors were superb in their roles.

The movie was, at various times, humorous, exciting, and touching.

Darby Hinton gives a heart wrenching performance that will bring tears to your eyes.

PTSD didn't have a name during the post civil war era, but it was there, as was dementia. You will fall in love with Darby's character and this movie.

Kudos also to Eliza Kelley, Robert Carradine, John Carter Cash, Dan Searles, and the beautiful Rebecca Holden.

But keep your eyes on a young actress by the name of Julie Kashmanian, she will be a star!

An eye opening story about a strong man with dementia dealing with friends and outlaws in the 1800's. I laughed and cried and really connected with the characters. Darby Hinton was the perfect "character" for his role. He made the hero completely believable, and delivered both humor and sentimentality when appropriate. Julie Kashmanian and John Carter Cash brought their characters to life as well. I enjoyed the action, the history, and the overall story very much. I also liked historical perspectives too. An excellent movie.

I met Darby and Dan Searles, the writer, at a film festival where the movie was shown.

I got an advance copy to review for the theater booking and instantly fell in love with this movie! It really highlights the immense burden PTSD and Dementia can have on not only your loved ones, but yourself. The way the film portrays not only the disease, but the character underneath is excellent writing that you can tell came from the heart.

The visuals are absolutely stunning, and the wild west town of Old Bedford Village really becomes a character of its own right.

I cannot recommend this movie enough, and I can't wait to see and hear everyone's reactions to the movie! See it on the big screen while you can because this is a special movie that deserves it!

Was Once A Hero is an authentic and compelling story with exceptional actors who bring their characterters to life -so convincingly- that you're still thinking about them and the film long after you've left the theater. What also stuck me as special was the attention to a mental/health condition that is well known today but really was not in during that period of American history. Making an key point in the storyline was bold and original as no other Western that I know of has touched on the subject matter with such attention. Cinematography, music, and overall continuity is perfection as well.

Highly recommend. Bravo👏🏻👏🏻