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Tall Tale

  • 1995
  • PG
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
Patrick Swayze, Oliver Platt, Nick Stahl, and Roger Aaron Brown in Tall Tale (1995)
Watch Trailer [EN]
Play trailer2:03
3 Videos
36 Photos
AdventureFamilyFantasyWestern

A young boy's imagination summons cowboy legend Pecos Bill, who helps him save the family farm from a greedy land-grabber. With the help of a lumberjack and a railroad worker, they all embar... Read allA young boy's imagination summons cowboy legend Pecos Bill, who helps him save the family farm from a greedy land-grabber. With the help of a lumberjack and a railroad worker, they all embark on a surprise-filled adventure.A young boy's imagination summons cowboy legend Pecos Bill, who helps him save the family farm from a greedy land-grabber. With the help of a lumberjack and a railroad worker, they all embark on a surprise-filled adventure.

  • Director
    • Jeremiah S. Chechik
  • Writers
    • Steve Bloom
    • Robert Rodat
  • Stars
    • Patrick Swayze
    • Oliver Platt
    • Roger Aaron Brown
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.9/10
    4.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jeremiah S. Chechik
    • Writers
      • Steve Bloom
      • Robert Rodat
    • Stars
      • Patrick Swayze
      • Oliver Platt
      • Roger Aaron Brown
    • 41User reviews
    • 13Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos3

    Trailer [EN]
    Trailer 2:03
    Trailer [EN]
    Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventures of Pecos Bill
    Clip 1:06
    Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventures of Pecos Bill
    Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventures of Pecos Bill
    Clip 1:06
    Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventures of Pecos Bill
    Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventures of Pecos Bill
    Clip 2:11
    Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventures of Pecos Bill

    Photos36

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    + 30
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    Top cast46

    Edit
    Patrick Swayze
    Patrick Swayze
    • Pecos Bill
    Oliver Platt
    Oliver Platt
    • Paul Bunyan
    Roger Aaron Brown
    Roger Aaron Brown
    • John Henry
    Nick Stahl
    Nick Stahl
    • Daniel Hackett
    Scott Glenn
    Scott Glenn
    • J.P. Stiles
    Stephen Lang
    Stephen Lang
    • Jonas Hackett
    Jared Harris
    Jared Harris
    • Head Thug Pug
    Catherine O'Hara
    Catherine O'Hara
    • Calamity Jane
    Moira Sinise
    Moira Sinise
    • Sarah Hackett
    • (as Moira Harris)
    Joe Grifasi
    Joe Grifasi
    • Man in Top Hat
    • (as Joseph Grifasi)
    John P. Ryan
    John P. Ryan
    • Grub
    Scott Wilson
    Scott Wilson
    • Zeb
    Bert Kramer
    Bert Kramer
    • Bronson
    Eric Lawson
    • Sheriff
    Bill Rodgers
    Bill Rodgers
    • Captain of Industry
    Susan Barnes
    • Hag in Alley
    John Nance
    John Nance
    • Doctor
    Mike Moroff
    Mike Moroff
    • Bar Room Bully
    • Director
      • Jeremiah S. Chechik
    • Writers
      • Steve Bloom
      • Robert Rodat
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews41

    5.94.5K
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    Featured reviews

    5mandasjunk_1

    say what?

    I totally dug this movie when I was a kid (like 7 or 8 or 9 years old). I had it on tape and my sister, cousins, and I watched it all the time. It's certainly no blockbuster or award winning picture, but it's still fun for kids (it was for me anyway). I remember liking how these story characters I was familiar with, were all linked together in the story and were (kind of) brought to life. Anyway, I guess it's just personal preference, but I remember digging it, and to say that no child got anything out of this silly movie would be wrong. I can't really remember the story too much now, to be honest, (it's been so long), but just thinking about it made me smile, and I am seriously tempted to go out and rent it for my nephews. It's only a dollar or two, and even if it doesn't pack the same punch it did when I was little, I'm sure I would enjoy seeing it again, and I'm sure my nephews might enjoy it too.
    8Pat-118

    Relax and enjoy - tall tales aren't meant to be believed!

    This is a Disney family movie, and the lead character is 12 years old. This means that the target audience is still in grade school, and the moral lesson is as subtle as Paul Bunyan's blue ox. But if you're willing to relax and put on your mouse ears, you might enjoy seeing Pecos Bill ride a cyclone and John Henry compete with a steam engine. The barroom scene with Calamity Jane is a treat for lovers of Old West humor, and Texas son Patrick Swayze is perfectly cast as Pecos Bill. Sadly for us, his gorgeous looks are all but hidden under his mustache, prairie dust, and 10-gallon hat.
    7bruceellman

    A Darned Good Tall Tale...

    A well made Family movie in the "Field of Dreams" mold. Instead of baseball legends a boy receives aid from some legends of the Old West-- Pecos Bill (Patrick Swayze), Paul Bunyon (Oliver Platt), John Henry (Roger Allen Brown), and Calamity Jane (Catherine O'Hara!). The talented game cast sells this sometimes hokey movie well. It's definitely worth a rent if it ever becomes available on home video though it can often be found on cable.
    6jfarms1956

    Great family movie

    This film is geared to those who are young or young at heart. The movie takes one through an enchanting tale. It is a good all around family movie. The movie takes us through some American mythical characters who we can reminisce about such characters as Pecos Bill. It is light hearted fun and keeps one interested as to what will happen next. It is a good film to eat popcorn or have pizza with. Good musical scores with the film, wholesome and uplifting. This is a film when after its over, it leaves you with a good feeling. You may not remember each and everything. But the feeling is like after a cup of hot chocolate -- you don't remember every sip, but the good feeling sticks. In fact, you can watch it again a month later and just enjoy the feeling all over again. I give it a six thumbs up out of ten.
    9beccasboy87

    Way better than most reviews are saying

    I'm going to keep this short and simple. I've read alot of reviews and they have me baffled. I'm not sure what people were expecting out of a film like this. It's a Disney movie, aimed at kids. It's not trying to be super serious. Most here seem to think they were trying for the Oscars.

    The movie is fun, funny, and has heart. All the actors handle their roles well and work well together. The plot is simple but serves its purpose and the music is fantastic, in my opinion. If you have a family that's looking for a fun little story, you should give it a try.

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    Related interests

    Still frame
    Adventure
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy
    John Wayne and Harry Carey Jr. in The Searchers (1956)
    Western

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Originally Gary Sinise was cast as the father, Jonas Hackett, but left the cast to play Lt. Dan Taylor in Forrest Gump.
    • Goofs
      The six-shooters are never reloaded but they never run out of bullets. This is a common trope in Western movies, and seems particularly appropriate for a "tall tale" where everything is exaggerated.
    • Quotes

      Pecos Bill: Don't lose the dream!

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Dolores Claiborne/Funny Bones/Major Payne/Circle of Friends/Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventures of Pecos Bill (1995)

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Tall Tale?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 24, 1995 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventures of Pecos Bill
    • Filming locations
      • Carbondale, Colorado, USA
    • Production companies
      • Caravan Pictures
      • Walt Disney Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $32,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $8,247,627
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,046,181
      • Mar 26, 1995
    • Gross worldwide
      • $11,047,627
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 36m(96 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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