Eagle Pennell may be the most important independent filmmaker you’ve probably never heard of. His movies aren’t easy to see; search Amazon.com for his 1984 feature Last Night at the Alamo and you’ll find one used VHS copy available for $44.99. You won’t find his last film, Doc’s Full Service, at all. His first feature, 1979’s The Whole Shootin’ Match, has recently been restored, however, and a DVD should be available soon. And while Shootin’ Match may not be his best effort (I’d vote for Alamo), it is his most important in the grand scheme of things because of who saw it when.
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