The Last American Hero


The Last American Hero is a 1973 sports drama film based on the true story of American NASCAR driver Junior Johnson. Directed by Lamont Johnson, it stars Jeff Bridges as Junior Jackson, the character based on Johnson.
The film is based on Tom Wolfe's essay "The Last American Hero Is Junior Johnson. Yes!", which was first published in Esquire magazine in March 1965 and included in his debut collection of essays, The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby, later that year.
The film's theme song, "I Got a Name", sung by Jim Croce, became a best-selling single.

Plot summary

Junior Jackson, a stock-car driver stays one step ahead of reform school until his father is thrown in prison for moonshining. Seeing the error of his ways, Jackson begins to concentrate on his driving skills, hoping to become a professional stock car racer to raise money to get his father released from jail.
Despite obstacles like Hackel, a cheapskate promoter who doesn't respect a man on his way up; Marge, a cutie who thinks he's the hottest thing unless she's sleeping with top competition Kyle Kingman ; and Burton Colt, a pro-racing owner who refuses to let Junior to use his own crew including his brother Wayne, he eventually achieves his goal.

Cast

The film was favorably reviewed by Pauline Kael in The New Yorker, even though The New Yorker had a long-standing feud with Wolfe.
It has an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Home media

The film was released on DVD in 2006 with both full and widescreen presentations alongside its theatrical trailer and it is also available for streaming.