I am a Skynyrd superfan and an avid amateur band historian, so although I had my misgivings about this film - mostly how vehemently opposed Gary and the families of Ronnie, Steve, and Allen were to its release - I had to watch it anyway.
The title should have been "The Story of Saint Artimus Pyle". Really, this is incredibly self-congratulatory, to the point of being cringeworthy. Everyone did coke and banged groupies except Artimus. Artimus knew exactly what was wrong with the plane, even when the pilots were clueless. Artimus pulled people from the wreckage. Artimus was the voice of reason, throughout the whole film. Artimus went for help alone and got shot (TOTALLY false; road crew members Marc Frank and Steve Lawler were with him, and he totally did NOT get shot by the farmer). Artimus is the only member of the band that gets fleshed out at all; even Ronnie had little substance as portrayed in the film (and could they not find an actor capable of doing a Southern accent to play Allen, who had a very strong accent?). Artimus, I'm disappointed in you, buddy. You made this into a tale of your wisdom and heroism; it has nothing to do with the band.
I gave it four stars because the plane crash was well done, especially given the film's low budget. But I can't give it any more than that. Very self indulgent on Artie's part.
The title should have been "The Story of Saint Artimus Pyle". Really, this is incredibly self-congratulatory, to the point of being cringeworthy. Everyone did coke and banged groupies except Artimus. Artimus knew exactly what was wrong with the plane, even when the pilots were clueless. Artimus pulled people from the wreckage. Artimus was the voice of reason, throughout the whole film. Artimus went for help alone and got shot (TOTALLY false; road crew members Marc Frank and Steve Lawler were with him, and he totally did NOT get shot by the farmer). Artimus is the only member of the band that gets fleshed out at all; even Ronnie had little substance as portrayed in the film (and could they not find an actor capable of doing a Southern accent to play Allen, who had a very strong accent?). Artimus, I'm disappointed in you, buddy. You made this into a tale of your wisdom and heroism; it has nothing to do with the band.
I gave it four stars because the plane crash was well done, especially given the film's low budget. But I can't give it any more than that. Very self indulgent on Artie's part.