Walk the Line
Directed by	James Mangold
Produced by	James Keach Cathy Konrad
Written by	Gill Dennis James Mangold
Starring	Joaquin Phoenix Reese Witherspoon Ginnifer Goodwin Robert Patrick
Music by	T-Bone Burnett
Cinematography	Phedon Papamichael
Editing by	Michael McCusker
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release date(s)	November 18, 2005
Running time	135 min. James Mangold ( New York City, 16 December 1963) is an American Film director and Screenwriter. James Keach (born December 7, 1947 in Savannah, Georgia) is an American Actor, producer, and director Cathy Konrad is an award winning American Producer. She has produced several successful films including the ''Scream'' trilogy, Girl Interrupted James Mangold ( New York City, 16 December 1963) is an American Film director and Screenwriter. Joaquin Rafael Phoenix (waˈkeen ˈfee-nɪks born October 28, 1974) formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix is an award-winning American and Puerto Rican Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon (born March 22 1976 is an Academy Award winning American actress and Film producer, who has established herself as Ginnifer Michelle Goodwin (born May 22, 1978) is an American television and film actress currently known for her role as Margene Heffman on Robert Patrick (born November 5, 1958) is a Saturn Award -winning American Film and television Actor. T-Bone Burnett is an American songwriter musician and producer Phedon Papamichael (born 1962 is a Cinematographer and Film director. Michael McCusker (Mike McCusker is the Academy Award -nominated American Film editor of the Johnny Cash Biopic, Walk the Events 326 - The old St Peter's Basilica is consecrated 1302 - Pope Boniface VIII issues the Papal bull Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$28,000,000
Gross revenue	$186,438,883
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile

Walk the Line is a film chronicling the life of the American country singer Johnny Cash. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. Johnny Cash (born J R Cash; February 26 1932 - September 12 2003 was a Grammy Award -winning American country Singer-songwriter. The title is taken from one of Cash's best known songs, "I Walk the Line". For the 1964 album see I Walk the Line (album. For the 1970 soundtrack album see I Walk the Line (soundtrack album.

The film focuses on Cash's younger life, his romance with June Carter, and his ascent to the country music scene, with material taken from his autobiographies. Johnny Cash (born J R Cash; February 26 1932 - September 12 2003 was a Grammy Award -winning American country Singer-songwriter. Valerie June Carter Cash ( June 23, 1929 &ndash May 15, 2003) was a Singer, Songwriter, actress, comedienne Johnny Cash (born J R Cash; February 26 1932 - September 12 2003 was a Grammy Award -winning American country Singer-songwriter. Walk the Line's production budget is estimated to have been US$28,000,000. ^[1]

The film previewed at the Telluride Film Festival on September 4, 2005, and went into wide release on November 18. Telluride Film Festival was started in 1974 by Bill and Stella Pence Tom Luddy and Jim Card in the town of Telluride Colorado. Events 476 - Romulus Augustus, last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, is deposed when Odoacer proclaims himself The year 2005 in film involved some significant events Releases of sequels took place with movies like The Devil's Rejects, Cheaper Events 326 - The old St Peter's Basilica is consecrated 1302 - Pope Boniface VIII issues the Papal bull This film was nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Actor (Joaquin Phoenix) and Best Actress (Reese Witherspoon). "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. Joaquin Rafael Phoenix (waˈkeen ˈfee-nɪks born October 28, 1974) formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix is an award-winning American and Puerto Rican Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon (born March 22 1976 is an Academy Award winning American actress and Film producer, who has established herself as Witherspoon won the Oscar for Best Actress, the film's sole Oscar winner.

As of August 22, 2006, the film had grossed a total of $186,438,883 worldwide. Events 392 - Arbogast has Eugenius elected Western Roman Emperor. The year 2006 in film involved some significant events Releases of sequels took place with Superman Returns, Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest On February 28, 2006, a single-disc DVD and a two-disc collector edition DVD were released; these editions sold three million copies on their first day of release. Events 202 BC - coronation ceremony of Liu Bang as Emperor Gaozu of Han takes place initiating four centuries of the Han Dynasty 's rule Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. DVD (also known as " Digital Versatile Disc " or " Digital Video Disc " - see Etymology)is ^[2]On March 25, 2008 a two-disc 'extended cut' DVD was released for region one. The feature on disc one is 17 minutes longer than the theatrical release, and disc two features eight extended musical sequences with introductions and documentaries about the making of the film.

Plot

The film details Johnny Cash's life from his growing up as the son of a cotton picker in Dyess, Arkansas, dealing with the death of his brother, his drug addiction, subsequent rescue by future wife June Carter, and his famous concert at Folsom State Prison. Johnny Cash (born J R Cash; February 26 1932 - September 12 2003 was a Grammy Award -winning American country Singer-songwriter. Cotton is a soft staple Fibre that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant ( Gossypium sp In Agriculture, the harvest is the process of Gathering mature crops from the fields Reaping is the cutting of Grain Dyess is a town in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. Johnny Cash (born J R Cash; February 26 1932 - September 12 2003 was a Grammy Award -winning American country Singer-songwriter. Valerie June Carter Cash ( June 23, 1929 &ndash May 15, 2003) was a Singer, Songwriter, actress, comedienne Folsom State Prison (FSP is one of 33 prisons operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR

The film opens in medias res with an exterior shot of Folsom Prison in 1968. In medias res, also medias in res ( Latin for "into the middle of things" is a literary and artistic technique where the Narrative The grounds are quiet except for the faint sound of music. Two guards on their tower peer at the main building. As we slowly approach the main building, the music begins to increase in volume. The camera tracks past empty cells and halls as the music becomes louder and more distinct; now cheering can be heard. Finally we see the source of the cheering: an audience of inmates for Johnny Cash's band, which is playing a vamp. In Jazz, gospel, soul, and Musical theater, a vamp is a repeating Musical figure or Accompaniment. In the next shot, a table saw rests on a table as a hand casually strokes the blade. A table saw or sawbench is the most common piece of large woodworking equipment After repeated calls, we are made aware that the hand is that of Johnny Cash. (Later we learn that the voice calling him onstage is that of the prison warden. )

In the next scene, it's 1944 and Cash is a boy. (His legal name was "J. R. Cash", as he did not adopt the name "John" until entering the Air Force. ) He and his brother Jack are listening to the radio; the 10-year-old June Carter is singing. Valerie June Carter Cash ( June 23, 1929 &ndash May 15, 2003) was a Singer, Songwriter, actress, comedienne

Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) performs for prisoners at Folsom Prison. Joaquin Rafael Phoenix (waˈkeen ˈfee-nɪks born October 28, 1974) formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix is an award-winning American and Puerto Rican

Early in the movie, Cash and Jack discuss their respective strengths and weaknesses with regard to the Bible and hymns. Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin A hymn is a type of Song, usually religious specifically written for the purpose of praise adoration or Prayer, and typically addressed to a deity/deities Jack, who is training to become a pastor, and therefore "needs to know the Bible front to back," is much better at recalling the words and stories of the Bible. J. R. , who can sing well like his mother, is adept with the hymns they sing at church. A few scenes later, Jack is sawing wood on a job for a neighbor with J. R. when J. R. abruptly announces that the task is boring. With Jack's permission, he leaves to go fishing. As he walks home later, he is intercepted by his father, Ray, who has visibly fresh blood stains on his overalls. "Where you been?" asks Ray. Jack has been fatally injured in an accident with the saw. J. R. 's relationship with Ray, already strained, becomes much more difficult after the Jack's death. He often yells at J. R. , telling him that "the devil took the wrong son. "

In 1952, J. R. joins the United States Air Force and is posted to Germany. An air force, also known in some countries as an air army or historically an army air corps, is in the broadest sense the national military or armed service Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. He seems not to enjoy his time there, but finds solace in playing a guitar he buys and writing songs - one of which will become "Folsom Prison Blues," inspired by a B-movie shown to the troops, Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison. " Folsom Prison Blues " is an American Country music song written by Johnny Cash in the early 1950s and originally recorded with his trio in 1955 Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison is a 1951 Drama film starring Steve Cochran and David Brian. Following his discharge, he marries his girlfriend Vivian Liberto. Vivian Dorraine Liberto ( April 23, 1934 – May 24, 2005) was the first wife of Country music singer Johnny Cash,

In 1955, Vivian and John (as he is now generally known) live in Memphis in relative poverty while John works as a door-to-door salesman to support his growing family (Cash's eldest daughter Rosanne is an infant, and Vivian mentions "another one on the way"). Door-to-door is a Sales technique in which a Salesperson walks from one door of a house to another trying to sell a product or service to the general public Rosanne Cash (born May 24, 1955) is an American Country music Singer-songwriter and occasional Author, who is known for One day, he walks past a recording studio and has an inspiration to organize a band (made up of guitarist Luther Perkins and bassist Marshall Grant, whom his wife describes as "two mechanics who can't hardly play") to play gospel music. A recording studio is a facility for sound recording. Ideally the space is specially designed by an acoustician to achieve the desired acoustic properties (sound Luther Monroe Perkins ( January 8, 1928 – August 5, 1968) was an American Country music Guitarist renowned for his Marshall Grant (born May 1928 is best known as the bassist of the Tennessee Two, Johnny Cash 's backing band in which he played with Luther Perkins Gospel music is Music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life as well as (in terms of the varying music styles to

Cash's band auditions for Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records. Samuel Cornelius Phillips ( January 5, 1923 – July 30, 2003) better known as Sam Phillips, was an American Sun Records was a Record label based in Memphis, Tennessee, starting operations on March 27 1952. As they play a pedestrian gospel song ("I Was There When It Happened"), Phillips interrupts and asks Cash to play a song that he really feels. Although his bandmates do not know the tune, he strikes up "Folsom Prison Blues. " Folsom Prison Blues " is an American Country music song written by Johnny Cash in the early 1950s and originally recorded with his trio in 1955 " Cash begins the song hesitantly in the style of a slow, mournful blues tune, the way that he originally wrote it. However, as the song progresses and Cash gains confidence, the song picks up and the familiar "freight train" rhythm begins to assert itself as he picks up the tempo. Everyone in the room brightens as they realize that Cash now has something good and potentially marketable. The performance results in a contract, in fulfilment of which Cash begins touring in 1955 (as Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two) with other young Sun artists. Among those he meets on the tour - along with Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins (no relation to Luther Perkins), Waylon Jennings and Elvis Presley - is June Carter, who performs as both a singer (although she claims to have no talent) and a comedienne. Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935) is an American Rock and roll and Country music Singer, Songwriter Roy Kelton Orbison ( April 23 1936 &ndash December 6 1988) nicknamed "The Big O" was an influential Grammy Award -winning Carl Lee Perkins ( April 9, 1932 &ndash January 19, 1998) was an American pioneer of Rockabilly music a mix of Rhythm Waylon Arnold Jennings ( June 15, 1937 &ndash February 13, 2002) was an influential American Country music Singer Valerie June Carter Cash ( June 23, 1929 &ndash May 15, 2003) was a Singer, Songwriter, actress, comedienne

Cash's career goes from strength to strength, and he finds himself spending more time with June, who divorces her husband at this time. After his romantic intentions are rebuffed one night in rural Texas in 1956, Cash is offered drugs and alcohol and soon begins to behave erratically.

On a subsequent tour, in 1958, June tells him (and many of the other artists on the tour) at one point that they cannot "walk the line," prompting Cash to write "I Walk the Line. For the 1964 album see I Walk the Line (album. For the 1970 soundtrack album see I Walk the Line (soundtrack album. " The erratic behaviour peaks one night when Cash invites June on stage to sing a duet. Cash suggests a love song ("Time's A Wastin'") which June recorded with her first husband Carl Smith (whom she has recently divorced). Carl Smith (born March 15, 1927 in Maynardville Tennessee) is an American Country music Singer. She feels uncomfortable performing it with Cash, but he ignores her protests and kisses her in the middle of the performance. She storms off the stage and they go their separate ways, despite Cash's protest that "it was only a song. "

June Carter (Reese Witherspoon) performs with Johnny Cash on stage. Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon (born March 22 1976 is an Academy Award winning American actress and Film producer, who has established herself as

In 1964, the still addicted Cash (his father tells him that he would do well to start "sleeping at night. . . or eating. . . or both") takes his wife to an awards program which June also attends. Despite his wife's objections to the level of interest he is paying her, Cash persuades June (who is divorcing her second husband, a stock car driver) to come out of semi-retirement and tour with him.

The tour is a great success (June is shown performing "Wildwood Flower" solo, and, with Cash, the hits "Jackson" and "It Ain't Me Babe"), but backstage Cash's wife is critical of June's influence. " Wildwood Flower " is an American song best known through performances and recordings by the Carter Family. This is about the Lieber/Wheeler song recorded by the Cashes and by others " It Ain't Me Babe " is the title of a 1964 song by Bob Dylan, first included on his album Another Side of Bob Dylan. After one Las Vegas performance in 1965, Cash and June sleep together in her hotel room. The next morning, as June is on the phone with one of her daughters, she notices Cash taking several pills and begins to doubt the wisdom of continuing the previous night's relationship. At that evening's concert, Cash, upset by Carter's apparent rejection, is incoherent during his customary "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" opening, forgets the lyrics to the song "I Got Stripes," loses control of the microphone stand, kicks out the footlights, and ultimately passes out. The remainder of the tour is cancelled. The distraught June disposes of Cash's drugs and begins to write "Ring of Fire", describing her feelings for Cash and her pain at watching him descend into addiction. " Ring of Fire " is a Country music song popularized by Johnny Cash and co-written by June Carter (wife of Johnny Cash and Merle Kilgore

On his way home, Cash travels to Mexico to purchase more drugs and is busted in El Paso, Texas. Vivian is not pleased, however, and between his substance abuse and her awareness of his interest in June, the tensions in Cash's marriage rise when he tries to put up "pictures of my band" (most of which seem to be of June) at home over his wife's objections. After a final violent dispute, the pair separate and Cash moves to Nashville, where he shares living quarters with Waylon Jennings (Shooter Jennings) in 1966. Waylon Arnold Jennings ( June 15, 1937 &ndash February 13, 2002) was an influential American Country music Singer Shooter Jennings (born Waylon Albright Jennings, May 19, 1979) is an American Country music singer

Cash tries to reconcile with June, which involves a long walk to her house (his car is in the shop and he has no cash to reclaim it). He is sent on his way, with June informing him that she misses her "old friend John" and doesn't like "this new guy, Cash. " On the way back he collapses in the rain. After coming round the next day he sees a large house near a lake in Hendersonville, Tennessee and promptly buys it. Hendersonville is a city in Sumner County, Tennessee, United States, on Old Hickory Lake. His parents, and the extended Carter family (June, her daughters and her parents, Maybelle and Ezra) arrive for Thanksgiving, at which time the ever-critical Cash Sr. "Mother Maybelle" Carter ( May 10, 1909 - October 23, 1978) was an American country Musician. Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a traditional North American Holiday, which is a form of harvest festival. dismisses Cash's achievements and behavior, citing as an example of Cash's carelessness an expensive tractor stuck in the mud in view of the house. After a tense meal, Cash decides to prove his father wrong by freeing the tractor. June and her family watch in concern as Cash struggles with the machine; June's mother, apparently aware of her daughter's true feelings toward Cash, encourages her to go help him, because "he's mixed up. " June at first refuses, but runs to Cash's aid when the tractor, in reverse, goes into the lake. Under the influence of the Carters (which extends to June's parents, shotguns in hand, chasing away Cash's drug dealer), Cash cleans himself up. A shotgun (also known as a scattergun) is a Firearm that is usually designed to be fired from the shoulder which uses the energy of a fixed shell to fire a number

Stabilized, Cash notices in fan mail that many of his fans are prisoners, dresses in his customary black, visits his recording company (now Columbia Records) and makes a proposal to record an album live inside Folsom Prison. Columbia Records is an American Record label founded in 1888 Columbia is the oldest surviving Brand name in pre-recorded sound being the first record company His record company is doubtful, arguing that the musical world has changed in the time Cash was rehabilitating, but he says bluntly that he will perform on a given date and the label can use the tapes if they think the music is any good.

At this point the film returns to the opening scene with the warden speaking to Cash in 1968. The warden requests that Cash not play any more songs that would remind the inmates that they are in prison. Cash laughs wryly and replies, "You think they forgot?"

At the Folsom Prison concert Cash tells how he always admired prisoners, explaining that his brief prison stay after his drug bust really made him "feel like I'd seen a thing or two, you know?" But, he continues, he now realizes his experiences really can't compare because "I ain't never had to drink this yellow water you got here at Folsom!" Performing "Cocaine Blues" to great acclaim from the prisoners, the concert is a great success, and Cash embarks on a tour with June and his old band. "Cocaine Blues" is a Western Swing song written by TJ Arnall, a reworking of the Traditional song " Little Sadie "

The scene changes to a tour bus in the dead of night - still 1968. Cash, disturbed by "bad dreams. . . memories," goes to see June in the back of the bus. (On his way he removes a cigarette from the mouth of a sleeping Luther Perkins, who in real life died around this time when his house caught fire; in his biography Cash said he believed Luther Perkins' house fire was caused by a cigarette. Luther Monroe Perkins ( January 8, 1928 – August 5, 1968) was an American Country music Guitarist renowned for his Luther Monroe Perkins ( January 8, 1928 – August 5, 1968) was an American Country music Guitarist renowned for his ) Waking June at 2 AM, he proposes to her, but she turns him down. Cash tells her that that was the last time; June replies that she doesn't like "re-runs". At the concert, June tells Cash that he is allowed to speak to her only on stage.

The concert features "Ring of Fire", for which Cash acknowledges June. He then persuades her to join him in a duet of "Jackson". In the middle of the song, Cash breaks off; June looks concerned. Cash explains that he "just can't sing this song any more" unless she agrees to marry him. June is reluctant to give an answer, but Cash continues with his proposal:

"Now I've asked you forty different ways and it's time you come up with a fresh answer. . . I'm asking you to marry me. I love you, June. Now I know I said and done a lotta things—that I hurt you—but I promise, I'll never do that again. I only want to take care of you. I will not leave you like that Dutch boy with your finger in the dam. . . You're my best friend. Marry me. "

June tearfully agrees, and after a long embrace the scene fades to the deck of Cash's home in Hendersonville. Hendersonville is a city in Sumner County, Tennessee, United States, on Old Hickory Lake. Cash watches his father interact with Cash's daughter Rosanne and June's daughter Carlene. Rosanne Cash (born May 24, 1955) is an American Country music Singer-songwriter and occasional Author, who is known for Carlene Carter (born Rebecca Carlene Smith; September 26, 1955) is an American country Singer and Songwriter He jokes with his father, their tense relationship having apparently begun to heal. The final shot shows Cash continuing down the stairs to the pier, looking up, and meeting June's eyes where she is fishing with her father. They look at each other and Cash smiles and the frame freezes; the scene then changes to footage of the couple performing together, with brief biographical information about Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash superimposed over it. Johnny Cash (born J R Cash; February 26 1932 - September 12 2003 was a Grammy Award -winning American country Singer-songwriter. Valerie June Carter Cash ( June 23, 1929 &ndash May 15, 2003) was a Singer, Songwriter, actress, comedienne

Cast

Reception

Critics generally responded with positive reviews, garnering an 83% on Rotten Tomatoes^[3], almost exactly the same score received by Ray^[4], a biopic about Ray Charles, to which the film is often compared. Joaquin Rafael Phoenix (waˈkeen ˈfee-nɪks born October 28, 1974) formerly credited as Leaf Phoenix is an award-winning American and Puerto Rican Johnny Cash (born J R Cash; February 26 1932 - September 12 2003 was a Grammy Award -winning American country Singer-songwriter. Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon (born March 22 1976 is an Academy Award winning American actress and Film producer, who has established herself as Valerie June Carter Cash ( June 23, 1929 &ndash May 15, 2003) was a Singer, Songwriter, actress, comedienne Ginnifer Michelle Goodwin (born May 22, 1978) is an American television and film actress currently known for her role as Margene Heffman on Vivian Dorraine Liberto ( April 23, 1934 – May 24, 2005) was the first wife of Country music singer Johnny Cash, Robert Patrick (born November 5, 1958) is a Saturn Award -winning American Film and television Actor. Dallas Mark Roberts (born 10 May 1970) is an American stage and screen Actor. Samuel Cornelius Phillips ( January 5, 1923 – July 30, 2003) better known as Sam Phillips, was an American Dan John Miller is an American Singer-songwriter from Detroit Michigan. Luther Monroe Perkins ( January 8, 1928 – August 5, 1968) was an American Country music Guitarist renowned for his Larry Bagby (born 7 March) is an American actor and a musician Marshall Grant (born May 1928 is best known as the bassist of the Tennessee Two, Johnny Cash 's backing band in which he played with Luther Perkins Shelby Lynne (born Shelby Lynne Moorer, October 22, 1968, Quantico Virginia) is an American Country music singer Tyler James Hilton (born November 22, 1983) is an American Singer-songwriter and Actor. Waylon Payne (born April 5, 1972) is an American country Singer, Songwriter, Musician and Actor. Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935) is an American Rock and roll and Country music Singer, Songwriter Shooter Jennings (born Waylon Albright Jennings, May 19, 1979) is an American Country music singer Waylon Arnold Jennings ( June 15, 1937 &ndash February 13, 2002) was an influential American Country music Singer "Mother Maybelle" Carter ( May 10, 1909 - October 23, 1978) was an American country Musician. WS "Fluke" Holland is a Drummer who worked extensively with numerous Rock and roll musicians but became well-known as the drummer in Johnny Cash Johnathan Rice is a singer/songwriter His first album Trouble Is Real was released on April 26, 2005. Roy Kelton Orbison ( April 23 1936 &ndash December 6 1988) nicknamed "The Big O" was an influential Grammy Award -winning Carl Lee Perkins ( April 9, 1932 &ndash January 19, 1998) was an American pioneer of Rockabilly music a mix of Rhythm Ridge Canipe (born July 13, 1994 in Long Beach, California) is an American Child actor. Tommy Cash, (Born April 5, 1940) is a Singer and younger brother of Johnny Cash. Hailey Anne Nelson (born September 14, 1994) is an American child actress. Rosanne Cash (born May 24, 1955) is an American Country music Singer-songwriter and occasional Author, who is known for Rotten Tomatoes is a Website devoted to reviews information and news of Movies. Ray is a 2004 Biographical film focusing on thirty years of the life of legendary rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles. A biographical motion picture &mdash often shortened to biopic &mdash is a film that dramatizes the life of an actual person or people Ray Charles Robinson ( September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) known by his Stage name Ray Charles, was an American

Baltimore Sun reviewer Michael Sragow wrote, "What Phoenix and Witherspoon accomplish in this movie is transcendent. The Baltimore Sun (officially just The Sun) is Maryland ’s largest general circulation daily newspaper and provides comprehensive coverage Michael Sragow (born 26 June, 1952 in New Jersey is a film critic and columnist who has written for The Baltimore Sun, The New Times They act with every bone and inch of flesh and facial plane, and each tone and waver of their voice. They do their own singing with a startling mastery of country music's narrative musicianship. "^[5]

Phoenix's performance inspired notable film critic Roger Ebert to write, "Knowing Johnny Cash's albums more or less by heart, I closed my eyes to focus on the soundtrack and decided that, yes, that was the voice of Johnny Cash I was listening to. Roger Joseph Ebert (iːbɝt born June 18, 1942) is an American film critic and Screenwriter. The closing credits make it clear it's Joaquin Phoenix doing the singing, and I was gob-smacked. "^[6]

Some, including Las Vegas Weekly reviewer Jeffrey M. Anderson, believed the film suffered from having important events distilled into meaningless and unrealistic circumstances. Anderson also accused director Mangold of "stretch[ing] and dilut[ing] the core story until it resembles less a great man's life than a TV movie of the week. "^[7]

Literary license

Some events in the film were compressed or altered when compared with those described in Cash's 1997 autobiography:

• Some critics have disputed the extent of the enmity between Johnny Cash and his father. Cash The Autobiography is a 1997 autobiography of Johnny Cash, country musician written twenty years after his first autobiography Man in Black The film portrays his father as blaming Johnny for going fishing the day Jack had his fatal accident. In his biography, Johnny wrote that he, Jack, and their mother all had a premonition earlier that day. Both Johnny and his mother urged Jack to go fishing with Johnny, but Jack insisted on going to work, as the family needed the money. It is true that Ray picked Johnny up along the road as shown in the film. Johnny only said that his father ordered him into the car, not with an accusatory "Where you been?" However, Johnny actually had only a couple of pages in his book that talked about his father, whom he called an "enigma" and described some incidents of near-physical violence. He also said that his father became a much gentler man as he got older, which is suggested in one of the final scenes in the film in which he plays with his grandchildren. Also, Ray was actually in attendance and introduced to the audience at the famous Folsom Prison concert, which was not shown in the film. Folsom State Prison (FSP is one of 33 prisons operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR
• Cash actually created the song "Folsom Prison Blues" based on both the film "Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison" and musician-arranger- conductor Gordon Jenkins composition "Crescent City Blues," appropriating the melody and some of the lyrics. Gordon Hill Jenkins ( 12 May 1910 – 1 May 1984) was an American Arranger who was an influential figure in popular music During his Air Force stint, Cash owned the Jenkins LP "Seven Dreams" that included the song. An air force, also known in some countries as an air army or historically an army air corps, is in the broadest sense the national military or armed service In 1969, Jenkins, admired for his orchestrations and arrangements for Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and others, prepared to sue for copyright infringement but a settlement was reached in which they shared composer credit. Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby ( May 3, 1903 &ndash October 14, 1977) was an Academy Award winning American Popular Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra (December 12 1915 &ndash May 14 1998 was an American singer and actor
• The scene in which Tennessee Two bass player Marshall Grant detonates a home-made bomb on a tree was a condensation of the pre-drug abuse carrying-on of Cash and his musicians during long tours. Marshall Grant (born May 1928 is best known as the bassist of the Tennessee Two, Johnny Cash 's backing band in which he played with Luther Perkins In addition to pyrotechnics, the group also rearranged motel furniture. Cash was known to paint hotel rooms black and saw the legs off tables and chairs, cheerfully paying the damages when caught.
• The film did not explain that Cash wrote the song "Rock and Roll Ruby" (recorded by Sun artist Warren Smith). Warren Smith refers to Warren Smith (golfer (born 1915 golf professional Cherry Hills Country Club Warren Smith (singer (1932–1980 It also ignored the fact that Cash suggested to his friend Perkins, that he write the song "Blue Suede Shoes," based on a black airman Cash knew in Germany who jokingly claimed his Air Force standard issue shoes were really suede shoes while speaking to Cash about going out dancing during his weekend off base.
• As bad as Cash's addiction to amphetamines was portrayed in the film, it only hints at how bad it got over his 10-year binge. Amphetamine, and related drugs such as Methamphetamine are a group of drugs that act by increasing levels of Norepinephrine, Serotonin, and Dopamine His actual detoxification, presided over by June and her family, occurred after Cash had emerged from a cave into which he had wandered, hoping to die and never be found. Detoxification, or detox for short is the removal of Toxic substances from the body In the film he is often shown drinking beer as a "chaser" to the pills, which was true, as the beer tempered the effect of the pills to an extent.
• The film did not credit the man who supervised June's and her family's oversight of Cash's detoxification: Nat Winston, who was Tennessee Mental Health Commissioner at the time. Nat Winston is an American Psychiatrist, Tennessee 's former commissioner of mental health and a former candidate for Governor of Tennessee Cash credited Winston as well as June's family for overseeing his treatment though he later relapsed.
• According to Cash, his first marriage was on the rocks before he became seriously involved with June. He was very candid about having "wrecked" his first marriage due largely to his addiction to pills. Vivian refused to grant him a divorce for a number of years, but after the bizarre cave incident she decided that she had had enough.
• Cash's prison concerts were not a novelty in 1968, as he had been doing such shows at prisons since the late 1950s. It is true that there was a dispute among his record producers about doing a live concert album on his next visit to Folsom Prison, although some of them were supportive. The movie did not mention Columbia Records producer Bob Johnston, who was the person Cash consulted to record a prison concert, and who lined up the recording session at Folsom
• During his first audition for Sam Phillips' Sun Records, Phillips rejects the song "I Was There When It Happened" explaining "Sorry, I can't market gospel anymore". See also Bob Johnson, Robert Johnston Donald William 'Bob' Johnston (born 14 May 1932, Hillsboro Texas) is a noted American Samuel Cornelius Phillips ( January 5, 1923 – July 30, 2003) better known as Sam Phillips, was an American Sun Records was a Record label based in Memphis, Tennessee, starting operations on March 27 1952. However, Sun Records made a recording of the song performed by Cash in 1957. Yet, Sam Phillips' refusal to allow Cash to record the amount of gospel that he desired to was one of the major factors that led to him moving to Columbia (as can be read in "Cash: The Autobiography").
• The framing device of using the table saw in the Folsom Prison wood shop to inspire Cash's memories of his brother's death (and thereby showing that most of the movie is told as a flashback) was not accurate, as the performers waited in the prison's kitchen before coming on stage. In history film television and other media a flashback (also called analepsis) is an interjected scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current
• While Cash did several mid-50s package tours with Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis, he never toured with all of them on the same bill. Roy Kelton Orbison ( April 23 1936 &ndash December 6 1988) nicknamed "The Big O" was an influential Grammy Award -winning Carl Lee Perkins ( April 9, 1932 &ndash January 19, 1998) was an American pioneer of Rockabilly music a mix of Rhythm Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935) is an American Rock and roll and Country music Singer, Songwriter Elvis left Sun Records well before Jerry Lee Lewis arrived in 1957. Sun Records was a Record label based in Memphis, Tennessee, starting operations on March 27 1952.

There is also some debate over the origins of the song "I Walk The Line". According to the sleeve notes in "Ring Of Fire: The Legend of Johnny Cash", written by Rich Kienzle, the song was actually written in response to his wife's jealousy over the threat of groupies. Listening to the lyrics of the song, this appears to be a more likely reason than June Carter scolding him for bad behaviour while on tour.

Awards

Witherspoon's performance was repeatedly recognized, including an Academy Award for Best Actress and awards such as the following:

• BAFTA Award as Best Actress
• Broadcast Film Critic Award as Best Actress
• Golden Globe Award as Best Actress - Musical or Comedy
• National Society of Film Critics Award as Best Actress
• Online Film Critics Society award as Best Actress
• Satellite Award as Best Actress - Musical or Comedy
• Screen Actors Guild Award as Best Actress

Trivia

Phoenix portraying Cash. Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS to The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA is a British charity that hosts annual awards shows for film television television craft video games and forms of animation The Critics' Choice Award for Best Actress is one of the nineteen awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Broadcast Film Critics Association. The Golden Globe Awards are American awards for motion pictures and Television programs given out each year during a formal dinner The National Society of Film Critics or NSFC is an American Film critic organization The Online Film Critics Society ( OFCS) is a professional association for Film critics as well as Film Journalists Scholars, and 10th Satellite Johnny Cash (born J R Cash; February 26 1932 - September 12 2003 was a Grammy Award -winning American country Singer-songwriter.

• Witherspoon told Oprah Winfrey that she had second thoughts about starring in the film and that she had wanted to back out of her agreement to the point where she involved her lawyer to try to get her out of the film. Oprah Gail Winfrey (born January 29 1954 often referred to simply as Oprah, is an American She later changed her mind and took the role up as a challenge.
• Phoenix and Witherspoon performed their own vocals and instrument takes in the film's numerous stage appearances. They also released a CD of their vocals along with those of some of the other actors, which is the soundtrack to the movie. Walk the Line is a Grammy Award-winning Soundtrack from the movie Walk the Line released November 15, 2005 However, at least some of the takes on the CD are different takes than those used in the film.
• Critic Roger Ebert, who gave high praise to the film, reported that he was surprised to learn that the Hollywoodesque scene, in which Cash proposes to Carter onstage during a concert in London, Ontario, was a true event. Roger Joseph Ebert (iːbɝt born June 18, 1942) is an American film critic and Screenwriter. London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada along the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor with a metropolitan area population of 457720 the city proper
• Both Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon were nominated for CMA Awards in 2006 for the music video for the song Jackson as released on the Walk the Line soundtrack.
• The scene where Johnny Cash pulls the sink off the wall was unscripted and surprised director James Mangold. In the parody Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, the titular character does the same thing repeatedly in several scenes. Walk Hard The Dewey Cox Story is a 2007 American Comedy film, directed by Jake Kasdan and starring John C
• Johnny Cash was so taken by the 1980 cult Western film, The Long Riders, that he contacted the film's writer/producer James Keach (who also portrayed Jesse James in it) and the two became close friends. Johnny Cash (born J R Cash; February 26 1932 - September 12 2003 was a Grammy Award -winning American country Singer-songwriter. The Western is a fiction Genre seen in Film, Television, Radio, Literature, Painting and other Visual arts. The Long Riders is a 1980 Western directed by Walter Hill. It was produced by James Keach, Stacy Keach and Tim James Keach (born December 7, 1947 in Savannah, Georgia) is an American Actor, producer, and director Jesse Woodson James (September 5 1847—April 3 1882 was an American Outlaw in the border state of Missouri and the most famous member of the Cash asked Keach to be involved in the development of Walk the Line which Keach produced. ^[8]
• Shooter Jennings portrayed his father, Waylon Jennings. Shooter Jennings (born Waylon Albright Jennings, May 19, 1979) is an American Country music singer Waylon Arnold Jennings ( June 15, 1937 &ndash February 13, 2002) was an influential American Country music Singer
• Waylon Jenning's godson and namesake, Waylon Payne, played Jerry Lee Lewis. Waylon Payne (born April 5, 1972) is an American country Singer, Songwriter, Musician and Actor. Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935) is an American Rock and roll and Country music Singer, Songwriter
• Vocal coach Roger Love trained Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon to sing like their respective characters. ^[9]
• The jokes made by Johnny Cash at the Folsom Prison concert in the film about the water reflect jokes made by Johnny Cash at the actual event. He made a passing comment about the fact it tasted like it had "Run off Luther's boots or something". This can be heard at the end of Cash's rendition of "Long Black Veil"
• Memphis disc jockey Bob Neal is played by Johnny and June's son, John Carter Cash, in a deleted scene. John Carter Cash (born 3 March 1970) is an American Country music - Singer, Songwriter and producer. The scene is included in the extended cut of the film released on DVD in 2008. Neal, who had been Elvis Presley's first manager, went on to manage Cash.
• The poster for Walk the Line was designed by Shepard Fairey's design agency, Studio Number One. Frank Shepard Fairey (born February 15, 1970 in Charleston South Carolina) is a contemporary Artist, Graphic designer and

Source material

• Man in Black
• Cash: The Autobiography

References

External links

• Official website
• Comparison inbetween the original theatrical release and the extended cut
• Walk the Line at the Internet Movie Database
• Walk the Line at Allmovie