We’re nearing the end of the summer movie season, which this year has included blockbusters like Avengers: Infinity War, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Incredibles 2 and other movies, including some that weren’t produced by Disney. However, none of these films showcases a banjo in any way.
Deliverance (1972)
This has become a bit controversial in the banjo community, as many believe it paints banjo players and rural people in general. However, it’s impossible to dismiss the cultural impact this movie had, with the soundtrack’s centerpiece reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Top Banjo Moment: Obviously, the “Dueling Banjos” scene.
Cold Mountain (2003)
This movie is not very good, but I love the book by Charles Frazier. However, the banjo gets some choice scenes and none other than Riley Baugus plays on the soundtrack and provides the banjo picking and singing voice for character of Pangle.
Top Banjo Moment: Stobrod and Pangle play “I Wish My Baby Was Born.”
Sabata (1969)
This lesser known Spaghetti Western starring Lee Van Cleef and William Berger not only features one of the coolest onscreen banjo moments in film history, but Berger plays a character whose name is Banjo.
Top Banjo Moment: While most people would point to the scene linked above as the best banjo moment, I'm a bit partial to the one where Banjo taunts Sabata as he walks up the stairs.
Zombieland (2009)
In the newest movie on this list, Woody Harrelson’s character, Tallahassee, wields the banjo like a cudgel amid the zombie apocalypse. Literally.
Top Banjo Moment: This banjo kills zombies.
The Sun Shines Bright (1953)
Perhaps one of John Ford’s lesser known films, it has nevertheless been called a masterpiece. And the banjo gets some serious screen time. Set at the end of 19th century, the film portrays some ugly, racist stereotypes of blacks in rural Kentucky, but the film also hinges on the character of Judge Priest halting a lynch mob.
Top Banjo Moment: U.S. Grant Woodford plays for the judge.
Songcatcher (2000)
This melodrama about folk ballad collecting in the early 1900s features Janet McTeer as a musicologist who visits western North Carolina and Aidan Quinn as the only instance of a banjo-playing heartthrob in film history.
Top Banjo Moment: Tom Bledsoe plays "Soldier's Joy" so fast it makes the good doctor's eyes bug out.
The Fifth String (2004)
OK, so I haven’t actually seen this one, but I can’t ignore a movie starring banjo master Dwight Diller as one of the main characters. Diller actually commented on the film in a 2007 discussion thread on the Banjo Hangout. One of these days I’ll purchase the film from Amazon.
Top Banjo Moment: Anytime Diller plays the banjo would be tops for me.
All right, banjo film buffs, what's your favorite banjo movie? Which film was criminally left out? Let me know in the comments.
It's not like the banjo hasn't been featured on the silver screen throughout film history. The five-string has starred in numerous movies, sometimes in its proper context as a musical instrument and other times as a comedic prop. Whether making a cameo or starring in the hands of the main character, it's well past time to present my Top 10 Banjo Blockbusters:
O Brother Where Art Thou? (2000)
Written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, this movie sucked me into the realm of old-time, bluegrass and country music in general. The banjo is featured in a number of songs on the soundtrack and shows up on screen a few times throughout the movie.
Top Banjo Moment: Delmar picks the banjo before meeting the Sirens.
Cool Hand Luke (1967)
Among my favorite movies of all time since well before I ever picked up a banjo, this classic movie showcases Paul Newman's picking and singing in one of its most emotional scenes.
Top Banjo Moment: Luke plays “Plastic Jesus” after his mother’s death.
Harold and Maude (1971)
The banjo highlights a number of scenes from this quirky cult classic, as the main character (played by Bud Cort) starts learning the five-string to go along with his hobby of faking his death.
Top Banjo Moment: Harold plays the banjo as the movie fades to black.
O Brother Where Art Thou? (2000)
Written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, this movie sucked me into the realm of old-time, bluegrass and country music in general. The banjo is featured in a number of songs on the soundtrack and shows up on screen a few times throughout the movie.
Top Banjo Moment: Delmar picks the banjo before meeting the Sirens.
Cool Hand Luke (1967)
Among my favorite movies of all time since well before I ever picked up a banjo, this classic movie showcases Paul Newman's picking and singing in one of its most emotional scenes.
Top Banjo Moment: Luke plays “Plastic Jesus” after his mother’s death.
Harold and Maude (1971)
The banjo highlights a number of scenes from this quirky cult classic, as the main character (played by Bud Cort) starts learning the five-string to go along with his hobby of faking his death.
Top Banjo Moment: Harold plays the banjo as the movie fades to black.
Deliverance (1972)
This has become a bit controversial in the banjo community, as many believe it paints banjo players and rural people in general. However, it’s impossible to dismiss the cultural impact this movie had, with the soundtrack’s centerpiece reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Top Banjo Moment: Obviously, the “Dueling Banjos” scene.
Cold Mountain (2003)
This movie is not very good, but I love the book by Charles Frazier. However, the banjo gets some choice scenes and none other than Riley Baugus plays on the soundtrack and provides the banjo picking and singing voice for character of Pangle.
Top Banjo Moment: Stobrod and Pangle play “I Wish My Baby Was Born.”
Sabata (1969)
This lesser known Spaghetti Western starring Lee Van Cleef and William Berger not only features one of the coolest onscreen banjo moments in film history, but Berger plays a character whose name is Banjo.
Top Banjo Moment: While most people would point to the scene linked above as the best banjo moment, I'm a bit partial to the one where Banjo taunts Sabata as he walks up the stairs.
Zombieland (2009)
In the newest movie on this list, Woody Harrelson’s character, Tallahassee, wields the banjo like a cudgel amid the zombie apocalypse. Literally.
Top Banjo Moment: This banjo kills zombies.
The Sun Shines Bright (1953)
Perhaps one of John Ford’s lesser known films, it has nevertheless been called a masterpiece. And the banjo gets some serious screen time. Set at the end of 19th century, the film portrays some ugly, racist stereotypes of blacks in rural Kentucky, but the film also hinges on the character of Judge Priest halting a lynch mob.
Top Banjo Moment: U.S. Grant Woodford plays for the judge.
Songcatcher (2000)
This melodrama about folk ballad collecting in the early 1900s features Janet McTeer as a musicologist who visits western North Carolina and Aidan Quinn as the only instance of a banjo-playing heartthrob in film history.
Top Banjo Moment: Tom Bledsoe plays "Soldier's Joy" so fast it makes the good doctor's eyes bug out.
The Fifth String (2004)
OK, so I haven’t actually seen this one, but I can’t ignore a movie starring banjo master Dwight Diller as one of the main characters. Diller actually commented on the film in a 2007 discussion thread on the Banjo Hangout. One of these days I’ll purchase the film from Amazon.
Top Banjo Moment: Anytime Diller plays the banjo would be tops for me.
All right, banjo film buffs, what's your favorite banjo movie? Which film was criminally left out? Let me know in the comments.
Which film was left out? The History of Future Folk! My all-time favorite banjo movie ever. :) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2245195/
ReplyDeleteOK Cynthia, you've piqued my interest. I'll have to track down this movie. So far I've struck out finding it through my library, Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. But I'll keep trying!
DeleteI'm seeing it on Amazon Prime Video for a $2.99 rental fee. Well worth the price, although the distinctive red bucket helmet that's a must-have for fans is not included! Hondo!
DeleteIf I can't find it for free, I'll be sure to rent it from Amazon. Thanks again for the recommendation.
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