Following a prolonged illness that kept him away from the stage, American singer-songwriter Willie Nelson made a glorious return to perform in front of the public this past 4th of July. Whether his health concerns continue, the iconoclastic 91-year-old always marches to his drum beat and does what’s in his best creative interests. Case in point, Nelson famously starred in aWesternmovie based on a music album he released more than a decade prior.
Inspired by Nelson’s 1975 album of the same name,Red Headed Strangeris a 1986 revisionist Western starring Nelson as Julian Shay, a preacher whose faith is deeply tested when he learns his wife betrayed him for another man. Now that the film isavailable on Prime Video, it’s time to reflect on how Nelson became involved with the movie and how the eponymous album influenced the story of theRed Headed Stranger.
Who Is Willie Nelson?
Born in Abbott, Texas on August 21, 2025,Willie Nelson is an American country music singerwho helpedpopularize the outlaw genre of music during the 1960s. In addition to his successful music career, Nelson famously wrote the hit song “Crazy” for Patsy Kline and was credited for composing the live music performance she did in 1961. In 1978, Nelson logged his first TV credit by providing the singing voice for Charlie Strayhorn, a character in the popular crime showThe Rockford Files.
After playing a character named Wendell opposite Robert Redford and Jane Fonda inThe Electric Horsemanin 1979, Nelson scored his biggest Hollywood role by starring in and composing the original music forHoneysuckle Rosein 1980. Co-starring Dyan Cannon and Amy Irving, Honeysuckle Rose follows country music singer Buck Bonham (Nelson) as he hits the road and becomes involved in a love triangle with his wife and the daughter of his guitarist. The film’s success proved Nelson could contribute music and give convincing leading performances. Six years later, Nelson struck gold once more withRed Headed Stranger.
What Is Red Headed Stranger About?
Written and directed by William D. Wittliff,Red Headed Strangeris a revisionist Western that concerns preacher Julian Shay (Nelson) during a severe crisis of faith. Set in 1901 Montana, Shay and his wife Raysha (Morgan Fairchild) travel from Philadelphia to Driscoll, Montana, to replace the local clergy. Upon arrival, Shay learns the town’s water supply is under tight rule by Larn Clavers (Royal Dano) and his sons. Shay joins forces with the upstanding Sheriff, Reese Scoby (R.G. Armstrong) to fight with the Clavers family and deliver clean water to the town. However, everything changes for Shay following Raysha’s betrayal.
Unhappy with her new life in Driscoll,Raysha is whisked away by a former loverwho rides into town. After leaving town,Shay hunts them down and murders them both in cold blood. Wayward and despondent, Shay rides around until he stumbles upon a ranch owned by a widow named Laurie (Katherine Ross) and her young son, Nathan (Bryan Fowler).
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As Shay grows close to Laurie and Nathan, he considers hiding there indefinitely until Sheriff Scoby finds him. Scoby tells Shay that the Clavers family assaulted him and turned off the town’s water pump. Scoby urges Shay to return to Driscoll to fend off the Claver clan and repair the water pump. Without giving away the ending, Shay must decide what’s best for him, Laurie, Nathan, and the people of Driscoll.
How Did Willie Nelson’s Album Inspire Red Headed Stranger?
Red Headed Strangerwas born from Nelson and Witliff’s previous cinematic collaborations. Wittliff co-wrote Nelson’s breakout movie,Honeysuckle Rose, and wrote Nelson’s 1982 movieBarbarosa. After Nelson’s studio albumRed Headed Strangerwas released in 1975, he played the record for Wittliff.Wittliff agreed to write thescreenplay for the revisionist Westernaround the music and use the story beats from the album to outline the plot.
In 1979, Wittliff turned in a screenplay draft forRed Headed Stranger, and the movie was green-lighted by Universal Studios and armed with a hefty $14 million budget (over $60 million when adjusted for inflation in 2024). Ironically, Universal was keen on Robert Redford starring as Julian Shay, the star of Nelson’s first movie,The Electric Horseman.Redford considered the rolefor two years before he ultimately turned it down. Meanwhile,Nelson had always envisioned himself playing the lead role. When Universal voiced disinterest in Nelson starring, Nelson and Wittliff returned their advanced payments to the studio in exchange for owning the screenplay.
Once Nelson and Wittliff purchased the script, HBO expressed interest in producingRed Headed Strangeron a significantly reduced budget of $5 million. At the time, legendary Western filmmaker Sam Peckinpah was attached to direct the movie. Dissatisfied with the low budget, Peckinpah left the project, and it all but died at HBO. Undeterred,Nelson and Wittliff sought to raise the $5 million independently but could secure $1.8 million worth of funding from private investors.
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Red Headed Strangerbegan filming on Nelson’s 52nd birthday, June 17, 2025. The primary set of the movie was built on Nelson’s golf course 30 miles away from Austin, Texas, which was turned into a town called Willieville. The film was released on Halloween in 1986, and despite earning mediocre reviews from critics, was deemed a success.
Inspiration from the Album
As for the album, standout singles “Red Headed Stranger,” Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," “Time of the Preacher,” Down Yonder," “Can I Sleep in Your Arms,” and “Denver” helped tell Shay’s story inthe cowboy-bucking revisionist western film.Red Headed Strangerwas one of the first country music albums to feature a continuous throughline from beginning to end rather than compile a litany of unrelated radio singles.
Somewhat surprisingly, Nelson only wrote three or four songs on the album, while the rest were preexisting tracks recorded by different artists. Even so,Red Headed Strangerproves how one piece of art can inspire another and underscores Willie Nelson’s creative spirit that continues to shine into his nineties.
