Paris, Texas (1984)

Harry Dean Stanton's finest role came as the near-mute Travis, on a journey across America to reunite his family, in Wim Wenders’ tale of loss and redemption.

Travis Henderson (Harry Dean Stanton) walks out of the desert after four years, to the amazement of his brother, Walt (Dean Stockwell). Reunited with Hunter, his seven-year-old son, Travis decides that they should search for his ex-wife (Nastassja Kinski) so that they can be a family once again. The great character actor Stanton took his first leading role in Wim Wenders’ moving slice of Americana.

Beautifully shot by Robbie Müller, Sam Shepard’s beguilingly simple story is stunningly realised by Wenders, whose stark imagery is accompanied by Ry Cooder’s acclaimed score.

1984 Federal Republic of Germany, France, United Kingdom
Directed by
Wim Wenders
Produced by
Don Guest, Anatole Dauman
Written by
Sam Shepard, Wim Wenders
Featuring
Harry Dean Stanton, Nastassja Kinski, Dean Stockwell
Running time
148 minutes

Ranked in The Greatest Films of All Time poll

Sight and Sound

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