New Frank Hamer Film - The Highwaymen - Coming Soon

[ordnanceguy]

My sources in Hollywood tell me that the true story of Texas Ranger Frank Hamer is coming to the silver screen. If Americans remember anything about this legendary lawman, it is probably based on the portrayal of him in 1967's "Bonnie & Clyde" which, like the rest of that motion picture, turned out to be 99% fiction.

The real story of Frank Hamer, who tracked down and killed the Barrow gang, has been bouncing around as a project for some years looking for financial support. I understand that when Netflix learned of it the project was finally green-lighted.

Starring Kevin Costner as Hamer and Woody Harrelson as his partner Maney Gualt, the film has been in production for a while. It is set for release in March, 2019.

I just hope that they got the period guns and gunleather right.....

 

[Rustyt1953]

I would like to see it.

 

[Sixgun100]

Thanks for the heads up. I will certainly watch that one!

 

[DWalt]

In one of Hamer's early experiences as a Ranger, he and another Ranger, plus the local sheriff of Val Verde County Texas (in Del Rio, on the Rio Grande) got into a shootout with a murderer who was hiding out inside one of the local houses of ill repute. The cathouse was nearly destroyed by all of the gunfire. That would make a good scene. Read the details here: Frank Hamer's Del Rio Debut | HistoryNet

The unusual thing about the Texas Rangers back in the earlier 20th Century was that the typical Ranger might drift into and out of the Ranger position several times during his career.

At the Bonnie and Clyde ambush, Hamer was no longer a Ranger (there weren't any Rangers at the time, as Ma Ferguson terminated the Ranger force for political reasons when she was elected Governor of Texas) but instead was retained as a special investigator (AKA Hitman) for the Texas Prisons director for the purpose of hunting down and eliminating B&C.

I hope that whoever directs it this time knows that there were no Thompson SMGs at the ambush, just a BAR and some Remington Model 8 rifles and Remington Model 11 shotguns. Best present opinion is that Hamer probably used one of the Model 11s, probably loaded with Buckshot.

 

[usmc2427765]

Kevin Costner as a lawman I can see. Woody Harrelson as a lawman....not in this lifetime.

 

[dr. mordo]

I will watch this.

 

[Onomea]

Kevin Costner as a lawman I can see. Woody Harrelson as a lawman....not in this lifetime.

Did you see him in True Detective, Season 1? I thought he was pretty good in that as a cop.

 

[chief38]

Both are great actors and they should make for a great flick! Let's hope it's fairly accurate and less "Hollywood"!

 

[JayFramer]

VERY nice, going to watch this picture when it comes to the cinema.

 

[Tex1001]

The unusual thing about the Texas Rangers back in the earlier 20th Century was that the typical Ranger might drift into and out of the Ranger position several times during his career.

My grandad was a ranger in the early '20s. According to him, honest Rangers would leave the force if there was a dishonest governor and gravitate back for an honest one.
Apparently the Rangers were under the direct control of the governor.

 

[steveno]

my opinion is that Costner screwed up the movie Wyatt Earp so I wouldn't hold out much hope for the movie on Hamer. Tombstone with Kurt Russell was much better

 

[jag312]

Dallas County Sheriff's Deputy Bob Alcorn was one member of the posse that got Bonnie & Clyde. His nephew as one of my teachers when I was in the 8th Grade. I wonder if Costner will be carrying a Colt Single Action like Old Lucky that Frank Hamer used to carry.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Costner seems like an excellent choice. I think he was the best Wyatt Earp historically though the film was less entertaining than Tombstone. He was cold and pragmatic, perfect for Hamer who had to kill so many people. Watch Harrelson in modern western “The Hi-Lo Country”. I think he’s perfect here as Gault. If there’s one Thompson in this movie, we’ll know they aren’t serious about getting the guns right. I’m going to email author John Boessenecker and see if he was consulted since he wrote the fantastic book recently.

 

[les.b]

Sounds like a great flick... I'll watch it.

Best Regards, Les

 

[kraynky]

I'm ready! Anything but Dancing With the Stars! Seriously, I like both actor's work and bet they play well off each other. That makes 2 movies I want to see now. This, & Clint's new film, The Mule. Ready Freddy!

 

[Inusuit]

Remember the actors are just that. The screenwriter and director drive the train. I saw an article about the movie where the director swore to Hamer's descendents that he would do a fair and accurate portrayal of Frank.

I am also looking forward to the move, apparently coming out late spring of 2019.

 

[DWalt]

Remember the actors are just that. The screenwriter and director drive the train. I saw an article about the movie where the director swore to Hamer's descendents that he would do a fair and accurate portrayal of Frank.

He's better, given that Hamer's family filed a defamation lawsuit against the studio as a result of Hamer's portrayal in the Warren Beatty version of Bonnie and Clyde. I think they won. I hope the new movie is more than just the events leading up to and including the B&C ambush. Hamer's career exploits go far beyond that.

 

[Valmet]

These days I’m just content that Will Smith isn’t playing Hamer...

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I contacted the author of the Frank Hamer book that's in the picture I posted earlier asking if he was a consultant on the Costner film but he says he wasn't, but hopes it's good. Unlike most historical writer's he's very descriptive of the guns used by guys in his books, especially Hamer.

 

[DWalt]

The M81 Remington shown could not have been used in the B&C ambush. It wasn't marketed until 1936. Hamer indeed had an M81 but he got it later.