The Mountain Men!

Welcome to a SPECIAL EDITION of the Piece of Advice Newsletter!

Good Morning! Today we are looking into the 1980 film; The Mountain Men! I was even lucky enough to ask a couple of questions to Fraser C. Heston who not only wrote the film; but starred in it with his father, Charlton Heston!

The 1980 western film “The Mountain Men” explored the rugged life of early American fur trappers and brought a unique family collaboration to the screen. The film starred Charlton Heston as seasoned mountain man Bill Tyler, a trapper navigating the dangers of the Rocky Mountain frontier. The screenplay was written by his son, Fraser C. Heston, marking an early creative partnership between father and son in the film industry.

Fraser C. Heston developed the story after becoming fascinated with the real mountain men of the early nineteenth century; independent trappers who lived far from settlements during the fur trade era. Wanting to capture this rarely portrayed period of American history, he wrote a script centered on two aging trappers whose friendship is tested by survival in the wilderness. The film was directed by Richard Lang and produced by Martin Shafer and Andrew Scheinman.

Released in the United States on June 1st 1980, the film received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised Charlton Heston’s rugged performance and the sweeping mountain landscapes, while others felt the film followed a slower, traditional style of western storytelling. The chemistry between Heston and co-star Brian Keith, who played fellow trapper Henry Frapp, was often highlighted as one of the film’s strengths.

Over time, “The Mountain Men” developed a modest reputation among fans of classic westerns. The film stands out for focusing on the fur-trapping era rather than the more familiar cowboy period of the American West. It also remains notable as an early collaboration between Charlton Heston and Fraser C. Heston, reflecting their shared interest in frontier history and storytelling!

Bonus Question:

Giancarlo: What was it like working on “The Mountain Men”?

Fraser: The best thing about making the Mountain Men was getting to work with my Dad. Second best thing is getting to work on a Western with Horses and stuntmen, real Mountain Men, and real Indians! What could be better than that!

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is this best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Fraser: Best advice (from my father, of course) has always been: “Keep Your Promises. Never be late (because that would be breaking a promise). And never give up, never give up, NEVER give up!”

Thank you for reading! Have an amazing day and we will catch you again soon!

-Giancarlo