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American Playhouse
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IMDbPro

True West

  • Episode aired Jan 31, 1984
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
488
YOUR RATING
American Playhouse (1980)
Dark ComedyDrama

A videotaped stage performance of Sam Shepard's playA videotaped stage performance of Sam Shepard's playA videotaped stage performance of Sam Shepard's play

  • Director
    • Allan A. Goldstein
  • Writer
    • Sam Shepard
  • Stars
    • John Malkovich
    • Gary Sinise
    • Sam Schacht
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.5/10
    488
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Allan A. Goldstein
    • Writer
      • Sam Shepard
    • Stars
      • John Malkovich
      • Gary Sinise
      • Sam Schacht
    • 11User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Top cast4

    Edit
    John Malkovich
    John Malkovich
    • Lee
    Gary Sinise
    Gary Sinise
    • Austin
    Sam Schacht
    Sam Schacht
    • Saul
    Margaret Thomson
    • Mom
    • Director
      • Allan A. Goldstein
    • Writer
      • Sam Shepard
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews11

    8.5488
    1
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    10

    Featured reviews

    Eric-33

    Truly entertaining based on acting alone!

    This film is a great example of how entertaining a movie can be relying on acting alone. Both Sinise & Malkovich take their roles to the limit in physicality & emotion, not to mention some excellent comic timing. I thought Malkovich was very funny and parts of his highly physical performance reminded me of Jim Carrey or Chris Farley (only in a more dramatic sense) - this movie being released in 1983. The technical quality doesn't look much better than a current high-end camcorder, but the acting makes you forget this within a few minutes.
    8Syrup

    About the most original, and odd, screenplay ever filmed

    It is one of the most authentic depictions of brotherly "love" I've ever seen. The reversal of Austin's and Lee's roles during the course of the film, then their both sinking to a common level of animalistic degradation, overseen by an oblivious mother, is truly hilarious and hilariously true.
    10amberObrien8

    Fantastic!

    This is an exceptional piece of acting and so simple yet it will blow you away with how good it is. The acting is inspiring. Gary Sinise being a favourite of mine made me realise all over again how much I admire his work. John Malkovich does not need much explaining, brilliant actor. They are both equally marvellous through out it and just now I've realised how many different ways I've said basically "fantastic" in this paragraph lol. The script is so clever and I couldn't help laughing, it's just so funny at times. I want this on video so bad! Anyone who is yet to watch this enjoy it, you really have no other option but too lol. 10/10
    Zack-25

    A Great Movie

    I happened to see this movie late one night and it was great. The performances by Sinise and Malkovich were brilliant. You just become intrapped by this movie. If you have the opportunity to see DO!
    10veethemonsoon

    amazing adaption of play

    Gary Sinise and John Malkovich were, as always, incredible. This movie was phenomenal. Leave it to the dudes of Steppenwolf to create such a masterpiece, a film based on a play (which was directed by Sinise on Broadway) that, however unchanged, was portrayed on film beautifully.

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    Drama

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Sixteen years after this TV adaptation first aired, and twenty years after he wrote it, Sam Shepard's stage play True West premiered on Broadway. It opened at the Circle in the Square Theater in New York on March 2, 2000, and ran for 154 performances. Sam Shepard's script was nominated for the 2000 Tony Award for the Best Play.
    • Quotes

      Lee: Do you think... there is enough... Goddamn gas... in your car?

      Austin: Sure!

      [He falls backward into the sink]

    • Connections
      Featured in Television: Drama (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Ramblin' Man
      Written and Performed by Hank Williams

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 31, 1984 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 50m(110 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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