Richard Farnsworth was terminally ill with bone cancer during the shooting of the film, which had caused the paralysis of his legs as shown in the film. He actually took the role out of admiration for Alvin Straight, and astonished his co-workers with his tenacity during production. Because of the pain of his disease, Farnsworth committed suicide the following year, at the age of 80.
The film was independently shot along the actual route taken by Alvin Straight.
The movie is based on a true story. The real Alvin Straight lived 1920-1996, living three further years after he took the journey.
Filmed in sequence.
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