The Straight Story 25 years old

A true story that proves a little determination goes a very, very long way.

The Straight Story

A retired farmer and widower in his 70s, Alvin Straight learns one day that his distant brother Lyle has suffered a stroke and may not recover. Alvin is determined to make things right with Lyle while he still can, but his brother lives in Wisconsin, while Alvin is stuck in Iowa with no car and no driver's license. Then he hits on the idea of making the trip on his old lawnmower, thus beginning a picturesque and at times deeply spiritual odyssey.

Credits

The Straight Story Cast

Name Character
Sissy Spacek She was 49, now 74 years old as Rose Straight
Everett McGill He was 53, now 79 years old as Tom the John Deere Dealer
Harry Dean Stanton He was 73, 91 years old when he died as Lyle Straight, Alvin's Brother
James Cada as Danny Riordan, Clermont Resident
Barbara Kingsley as Janet Johnson, Clermont Resident
Dan Flannery He was 55, now 80 years old as Doctor Gibbons
Sally Wingert as Darla Riordan, Clermont Resident
Jane Galloway Heitz as Dorothy, Straight's Next-Door Neighbor
Jim Haun as Johnny Johnson, Clermont Resident
John Lordan He was 123, now 148 years old as Priest
Kevin Farley He was 34, now 59 years old as Harald Olsen
Richard Farnsworth He was 79, 80 years old when he died as Alvin Straight
Gil Pearson as Sun Ray Tours Bus Driver
Donald Wiegert as Sig
John Farley He was 30, now 56 years old as Thorvald Olsen
Ralph Feldhacker as Farmer on Tractor
Jack Walsh He was 96, now 121 years old as Apple
Joseph A. Carpenter as Bud
Barbara June Patterson as Woman on Bus
Tracey Maloney as Nurse
Leroy Swadley as Bar Patron
Ed Grennan as Pete
Anastasia Webb as Crystal

The Straight Story Crew

Name Department
John Roach as Screenplay. He was 78 (34) years old when He died Writing
Pierre Edelman as Executive Producer. He was 46 (now 71) years old Production
Neal Edelstein as Producer. Production
Michael Polaire as Executive Producer. Production
Lynn Blumenthal as Casting. Production
Barbara Haberecht as Set Decoration. Art
Patricia Norris as Costume Design. She was 68 (83) years old when She died Costume & Make-Up
Walter Spencer as Music Editor. He was 20 (now 46) years old Sound
David Lynch as Director. He was 53 (now 78) years old Directing
David Lynch as Sound Designer. He was 53 (now 78) years old Sound
Jane Alderman as Casting. She was 60 (77) years old when She died Production
Jack Fisk as Production Design. He was 53 (now 79) years old Art
The Straight Story poster
The Straight Story (25 years)

A true story that proves a little determination goes a very, very long way.

  • Release day: Friday, October 15, 1999
  • Runtime: 112 minutes
  • Budget: 10000000.00
  • Revenue: 6203044.00