Despite his repertoire, Sam Elliott’s favorite movie from his career is actually a little-known gem which was rated 77% on Rotten Tomatoes. With his deep voice, rugged looks, and commanding presence, Sam Elliott is best known for starring in Westerns. Originally starring in minor roles in things like Butch Cᴀssidy and the Sundance Kid, the actor soon rose to prominence.

Sam Elliott is arguably most notably known for playing lawman Virgil Earp in 1993’s Tombstone, a film which has become a cult classic since its release, cementing his Western repertoire. However, the actor has actually starred in a range of different genres, whether that be dramas like Mask, comedies like The Big Lebowski, or fantasy films like The Golden Compᴀss.

There are many movies where Sam Elliott shines as an actor, demonstrating his wide-ranging talents, but his prolific career in Westerns is one that follows him. As a result, when asked in an interview which of his films Elliott considers a favorite for him, you might expect him to pick a popular Western. Yet, the actor actually chose a lesser-known film.

The Hero Is Sam Elliott’s Favorite Movie From His Own Career

The Western Legend Chose A Little-Known Film From 2017

In an interview with BUILD, Sam Elliott was asked what movie and role was his favorite from his own career. Elliott responded, “I’ve had that question asked so many times, and it’s so hard to answer because […] there are obviously things that stand out in all of them.” However, he ultimately settled on his 2017 movie, The Hero.

The Hero is a comedy drama film by Brett Haley, which follows aging Western movie star Lee Hayden (Elliott) as he navigates a cancer diagnosis. The movie focuses on Lee’s struggles with nearing the end of his career, and his own mortality, as well as his relationships with his estranged daughter and a newfound romance with a younger woman.

The Hero is actually the second collaboration between Elliott and Haley, following the award-winning 2015 film, I’ll See You In My Dreams. In fact, that collaboration inspired Haley to specifically write The Hero as a love letter to Sam Elliott, as Haley declared him “an icon.” The Hero grossed $4.1 million worldwide on a $1.2 million budget.

Despite its rather modest box-office result, The Hero scored highly with critics, earning a certified Fresh rating of 77% on Rotten Tomatoes. Surprisingly, although it is nowhere near Sam Elliott’s best Rotten Tomatoes movie rating, the little-known gem which is The Hero is actually rated higher than Tombstone by critics, who gave the 1993 classic a 76% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Why Sam Elliott Chose The Hero Over His More Famous Movies

“I Don’t Think It’ll Ever Get Any Better Than It Was On This Film”

Despite appearing in some of the best Western movies ever made, Sam Elliott surprisingly chose The Hero as his favorite movie, even though the film is relatively unknown. Explaining his decision, Elliott stated that, “I think what I remember most about films is the people that I’ve worked with rather than the film itself – if that makes any sense.”

As a result, it was the collaborative, intimate nature of The Hero and its small production which ultimately cemented its place among Elliott’s top films. He said, “I don’t think it’ll ever get any better than it was on this film. This was on all sides of the camera; it was a labor of love for a lot of people.”

In a world where many films aim for blockbuster status, The Hero delivers a refreshing smaller-scale perspective of a heartfelt story, and it is something which Sam Elliott appears to appreciate. The entire cast and crew evidently poured their hearts into the project, resulting in a film that was made with love, rather than for any monetary gain or recognition.

Elliott summarizes this, stating that, “We’re not carrying anything but, hopefully, some people’s ills once in a while. Give ’em a chuckle, give ’em a laugh. Let ’em shed a tear, maybe – and give ’em their money’s worth.” Consequently, The Hero’s sincere approach to storytelling left its mark on Sam Elliott, delivering meaningful cinema that the actor cherishes the most.

Sources: BUILD

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  Sam Elliott
  

  Birthdate

  
  August 9, 1944
  

  Birthplace

  Sacramento, California, USA

  Notable Projects

  A Star is Born, Ghost Rider, Hulk

  
  

  
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