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A Question About the Midnight Rider Film-Possible Lost Footage?

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missuny1969
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Hello, I'm Missuny and I'm new to this site. I hope I'm posting this in the right place. If I'm not please let me know.

I've become a huge fan of The Allman Brothers Band, and about a week ago I found this video from an unfinished film called Midnight Rider, which apparently was based on Gregg Allman's autobiography.

I did some research and discovered that the film was cancelled due to a horrific train accident that killed a crew member. The producers ended up getting sued and put on probation due to their gross negligence and shady business dealings.

As far as I know, this rough cut is all that was filmed for the movie. At the end of the video, however, there's behind the scenes footage of something called a "Rock Video," which was suppose to be a bonus put on the DVD. It looks like it was gonna be a music video or something, and it was filmed the day before the train accident.

I was wondering if anyone here knew anything about this footage, or if anyone thinks there could be more of this "Rock Video." I posted this on a Lost Media subreddit, hoping to maybe get some info. If anyone has any info/opinions, feel free to add. There's a possibility that there isn't more of this rock video, and if not, then that's ok. I just thought it'd be cool to see this "Rock Video" in its entirety since we never got the movie.

Thanks for reading!

Freelance artist by daylight, music lover also by daylight.

 
Posted : August 29, 2020 1:19 pm
porkchopbob
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That footage has been floating around since they started filming. The Rock Video footage is taken from early rehearsals - acting and music rehearsals - which is pretty common in music biopics. Considering the tragedy that became the project, I doubt you will ever see much more. I doubt there even is much more to see.

The idea of William Hurt as Gregg Allman still makes me laugh. He looks like a wizard.

PorkchopBob Studio

 
Posted : August 29, 2020 1:34 pm
Rusty
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I believe this film got sued out of existence before it ever left the starting gate. I think the producer tried to cut some corners that lead to catastrophe. No need to rehash all that.

I love William Hurt, but he appeared more like Gandalf than Gregg. The "band" in the shots within the video just don't work for me, either. The Duane character is Wyatt Russell from "Lodge 49". I believe he's the offspring of Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn? That would make him "Penny Lane"'s brother?

I live in the region where the film was being produced. I actually tried to get on the crew - also tried to get in as an extra.

I am ... almost glad the film got canned -certainly not under the circumstances. I think a film about the Allman Brother's Band would be a more interesting vehicle.

 
Posted : August 29, 2020 2:52 pm
porkchopbob
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I am ... almost glad the film got canned -certainly not under the circumstances. I think a film about the Allman Brother's Band would be a more interesting vehicle.

Agree. Speaking just to the film and not the tragedy, it did not look like it was going to be very good, especially when you look at the same director's CBGB movie. Focusing on Gregg didn't really keep in the spirit of the band.

PorkchopBob Studio

 
Posted : August 29, 2020 3:10 pm
missuny1969
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Thank you for commenting! I kinda figured there wouldn't be anything else to this movie, but it never hurts to ask.

Though I was interested in this rock video thing, I have to admit the rest of the movie did not appeal to me. I love Gregg, but I'd much rather have a movie or even a TV series about the entire band. It doesn't help that the reasoning for the cancellation was so tragic. That makes this movie less appealing.

William Hurt and Wyatt Russell are both good actors, but they're kinda weird choices for Gregg and Duane.(At least from what I can see.) I can't even find out who the other actors are.

I hope one day we'll get a cool biopic movie/show about ABB. Their story is really interesting and it's worth telling.

Freelance artist by daylight, music lover also by daylight.

 
Posted : August 29, 2020 3:52 pm
missuny1969
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Posts: 35
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Topic starter
 

I believe this film got sued out of existence before it ever left the starting gate. I think the producer tried to cut some corners that lead to catastrophe. No need to rehash all that.

I love William Hurt, but he appeared more like Gandalf than Gregg. The "band" in the shots within the video just don't work for me, either. The Duane character is Wyatt Russell from "Lodge 49". I believe he's the offspring of Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn? That would make him "Penny Lane"'s brother?

I live in the region where the film was being produced. I actually tried to get on the crew - also tried to get in as an extra.

I am ... almost glad the film got canned -certainly not under the circumstances. I think a film about the Allman Brother's Band would be a more interesting vehicle.

Yeah, Wyatt Russell is Kurt and Goldie's son. I think he's a pretty good actor, but he just looks weird as Duane. It actually looked like he tried to grow his own mutton chops or something.

Freelance artist by daylight, music lover also by daylight.

 
Posted : August 29, 2020 3:56 pm
Agerst1574
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This was absolutely fascinating to watch. Not so sure how much interest there would have been n this film if it was completed yet it was compelling to watch.

I did not know this was directed by the person who also directed CBGB. I had beers a couple of weeks ago with John Holmstrom who was involved with the filming of this. His character was in the beginning of the film. I told him how much I disliked the film as I went to CBGB several times and knew rthe scene. He asked me to rewatch it which I did. I disliked it even more than I did when I attempted to watch it the first times,

 
Posted : August 31, 2020 3:06 am
Rusty
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Final thoughts and observations: some of the footage with the "band" is likely what is called a "proof of concept" VIDEO. This is where the producer shoots some "representative" footage (which will NOT be used in the final product) to illustrate that his/her concept is beyond talk and script treatment.

The other use of this type of pre-production (in this case) was to demonstrate to the insurance companies involved that this was indeed an actual work in progress. This tragedy occurred on day 1 of filming.

 
Posted : August 31, 2020 4:42 am
missuny1969
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@rusty Thank you! A proof of concept makes a lot of sense. I thought maybe it was gonna be a music video or something. I was kinda hoping there'd be more of this out there, but that's ok. I'm glad I asked about it.

Freelance artist by daylight, music lover also by daylight.

 
Posted : September 5, 2020 10:15 pm
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