Hank Williams Biopic Sees The Light In November
‘I Saw The Light,’ the new Sony Pictures Classics biopic about the life of Hank Williams, will be released in the US on November 27. It stars Tom Hiddlestone as the pioneering country star and is written and directed by Marc Abraham, from Colin Escott’s ‘Hank Williams: The Biography.’ Here’s a taster clip of Hiddlestone as Williams performing ‘Move It On Over.’
The film also stars Elizabeth Olsen as Williams’ wife, manager and duet partner, Bradley Whitford as his co-writer Fred Rose, David Krumholtz as New York journalist James Dolan and Cherry Jones as Hank’s mother. Abraham started developing the film as long ago as 2009. It was filmed last year in Shreveport, Louisiana.
“Hank’s life has a tragic arc,” Hiddlestone told the Daily Mail last year, “but in simple truth, he was a genius: a star that burned twice as bright and lived half as long. It’s a huge role for me and a huge responsibility. I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.”
Hiddlestone sings and plays the guitar in the film himself, after practicing every day with much-respected country artist Rodney Crowell. “It was spine-tingling just to spend a day playing some of Hank’s greatest hits like ‘Hey Good Lookin’’ and ‘Long Gone Lonesome Blues’ with such a gifted musician.
“He’s already expanded my vocal range and given me a few pointers about adapting my own tone to sound like Hank. Rodney has furnished me with his beautiful J45 Gibson to practice with. And he’ll be on hand throughout the shoot.”
The movie was screened last Friday (11) at the Toronto International Film Festival. David Sexton’s review for the London Evening Standard gave it three stars, and amid some reservations, he wrote: “What makes ‘I Saw The Light’ worthwhile is the superb performance by Tom Hiddleston as Hank, controversial casting for an American icon, but amply justified by the bleak intensity with which he gives us a man whose creative genius didn’t just co-exist with his self-destructiveness but grew directly out of it.”
The next festival screenings for ‘I Saw The Light’ will be at Calgary on September 23 and Vancouver on October 9.
Explore our Hank Williams Artist Page here.
UK English
Brad
September 16, 2015 at 3:34 pm
Long long overdue !
Tom
September 16, 2015 at 3:59 pm
Long overdue especially in light of the low budget movie “Your Cheatin’ Heart” starring George Hamilton done back in the early 60’s. Hope this one will more accurately portray Hank as he really was.
Caleb Muse
September 16, 2015 at 6:15 pm
For what it’s worth, Hey Good Lookin isn’t a Hank Williams song.
Mark
September 16, 2015 at 6:42 pm
For what it’s worth it is a Hank Williams song..it is a variation of a 1942 Cole Porter song but the 1951 version lists him as songwriter and is included in the Grammy Hall of Fame….so that pretty much makes it one
Philip Green
September 16, 2015 at 11:17 pm
You mean that it wasn’t written by Hank Williams. However, it remains “a Hank Williams song”.
Alex
September 17, 2015 at 3:46 am
Yes, it’s a Hank Williams song, asshat.
Jeff Hopson
September 17, 2015 at 10:32 pm
Actually it IS a Hank song but he borrowed the title from a Cole Porter, which version you can hear here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNNb1SEJL-I
Mike
October 15, 2015 at 5:34 pm
Hank wrote the song for Little Jimmy Dickens but ended up cutting it himself.
Renae Wolter
March 8, 2016 at 10:31 pm
Mmmmm,yes it definitely is a Hank Williams song,written by him and sung by him,1951 recorded!!!
Wullie Tracey
September 16, 2015 at 8:43 pm
Really thirst to see this film. Hank Williams was a total genius and it is heartbreaking to think that he was only 28 when he died. Can you imagine what he might have gone on to produce had he lived. Hank and Dylan and Johnny Cash. The hairs stand up on the back of my neck.
The only good ‘movie’ I can think of about Hank is a made for TV piece from late ’70’s early ’80’s called Hank Williams – The Show He Never Gave. It was set on the last night of his life and imagines that he reached the venue that he was heading too on the night he died and actually played his show. Gave a great impression of performing in the honky tonk roadhouses of the time.
Roll on November, can’t wait.
Warren
December 4, 2015 at 1:40 am
That was the movie released in 1980 and starred Canadian Sneezy Waters. Sneezy also did a stage version of the film and we had him in Pinawa Manitoba to perform it around 1991 or 1992. Wonder if he makes a cameo in the film.
melanie Shanklin
September 17, 2015 at 2:39 am
WELL! It’s about damn time!!
Ken from Australia.
September 17, 2015 at 9:24 am
I hope that it sees the light here in Australia. Hank is still my favourite singer.
Another great artist taken far too early.
Bob
September 17, 2015 at 1:30 pm
Cannot get enough of Hanks short life. Have seen most of what has been made, most recent “The Last Ride”. Hope it makes it down under in AUS, looking forward to obtaining a copy . can anyone in US advise of distributor?
Marty
September 17, 2015 at 6:31 pm
Saw your cheatin heart. Hope the new movie is better than that. Can not wait to see it!
Joseph Sexton
September 21, 2015 at 1:43 am
I still dream of Hank several times each year, and have written three songs and three stories about him. I still sing and play his songs and have written several additions to several of his songs including “I CAN”T HELP IT.”—“You didn’t notice me at all—-Didn’t see that teardrop fall, I can’t help it if I’m still in love with you. —You took his hand and walked away—and my world ended today, I can’t help it if I’m still in love with you.” Never be another Hank!
David Earl Boyer
September 21, 2015 at 1:23 pm
Hank Williams was my first inspiration to make me want to song write. I had started learning how to play the guitar and started singing Hank Williams songs. His writing was so sincere and from the heart. Since then I have written about 350 songs and have a passion for it. Glad to see this movie is to come out about the great Hank Williams !
Leroy Sexton
September 21, 2015 at 8:39 pm
Hank could express hurt in a song like no one before and no one ever again..
Leroy Sexton
September 21, 2015 at 8:39 pm
Hank could express hurt in a song like no one before and no one ever again..
James House
October 9, 2015 at 3:49 pm
My Dad Was A Old Time Preacher.We Were Not Allowed To ListenTo Country Or any Other Kind But Gospel.I Used To Get Up And Listen To The Grand Old Opry When Every One Was Asleep.Our Raido Wan In The Kitchen.Hank Is My Favorite Singer,Other Than Merle.I Have Sung Hanks Song’s On All Of My Country Show’s.This Is Long Over Due.
PaulC
October 15, 2015 at 4:14 pm
Not a day goes by without some refrain or other buzzing in my brain. Roll UK release…. ??????
George Tucker
October 15, 2015 at 9:56 pm
There will never be another Hank Williams, Theres only one from that mold,
Bill J
October 16, 2015 at 6:27 am
My mom LOVED Hank & so do I. She worked hard to raise 6 kids after dad died. I took her to distant theater to see Your Cheating Heart when I was 16 years old. We loved this movie. It was the only thing I ever took my mom too.
I am near 70 now, and she is gone. I still remember that night, that movie, that Man, and am so great full that he left us with such great memories and such great songs.
kimberly
October 16, 2015 at 2:50 pm
Can’t wait
kimberly
October 16, 2015 at 2:52 pm
Can’t wait is is on tv?
HellbettyFeiner
October 21, 2015 at 7:52 am
I am tired of these hollywood money grabbing movies. I have been a Hank Williams fan my whole life. All these movies to me are disrespectful. They never come close. To capturing the real essence of Hiram. When i saw the singing for this movie. It made my ears bleed. Hank Williams made his mark in his short 29 years. To me he is the Greatest singer/songwriter/entertainer. That country music has ever known. He deserves to be portrayed. The way he truely was. Not some half baked crap. That does not even have a True southerner portraying him. Hank had true heart and soul. You can feel his music. To the core of your being. I will not be watching this travesty of a movie. Maybe someday someone will care enough. To put true RESPECT and Heart into a good movie. His Legacy deserves that much!!! REINSTATEHANK.ORG
KAZUYA TAKAHASHI
December 4, 2015 at 1:09 am
I am japanese guy who loved HANK WILLIAMS very much!
and I’m singing his songs only. you know why? because that VOICE! and his style of singing.that is makes him special I beleave. and there is only one HANK WILLIAMS.but if you try to sing just like him someday you will! dosn’t matter what ather pepole say.because only heavens know how much I love him
Warren
December 4, 2015 at 1:35 am
Anyone know if it released in Canada?