O Brother, Where Art Thou? (film) In the Depression-era Deep South, three escapees from a Mississippi prison chain gang—Everett Ulysses McGill, sweet-and-simple Delmar, and the perpetually angry Pete—embark on the adventure of a lifetime as they set out to pursue their freedom and return to their homes. With nothing to lose and still in shackles, they make a hasty run for their lives and end up on an incredible journey filled with challenging experiences and colorful characters. However, they must also match wits with the cunning and mysterious lawman Cooley, who tracks the men, bent on bringing the trio back to the prison farm. Released on December 22, 2000, in New York and Los Angeles, and elsewhere on December 29 and January 12, 2001. It had earlier been released abroad, first by Bac Films in France on August 30, 2000, after a preview at the Cannes Film Festival on May 13. Directed by Joel Coen. A Touchstone Pictures/Universal co-production. Stars George Clooney (McGill), John Turturro (Pete), Tim Blake Nelson (Delmar), Daniel Van Bargen (Cooley), Charles Durning (Pappy O’Daniel), John Goodman (Big Dan Teague), Holly Hunter (Penny Wharvey). 103 min. Filmed in CinemaScope on location in a 75-mile radius from Jackson, Mississippi, and at Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch. Based on Homer’s The Odyssey. The film was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Screenplay Adaptation and Cinematography. Released on video in 2001.
