Anne Heche left a lasting impression on the set of one of her last films. “Wildfire: The Legend of the Cherokee Ghost Horse” director Eric Parkinson reflected on the late actress's bravery in playing a rodeo trainer in the upcoming film. Parkinson said that during negotiations for the film, his agent made it clear that Heche was not an experienced rider.
Inspired by Michael Martin Murphey's hit song, and the Legend of the Cherokee Ghose Horse, 'Wildfire' tells a story of redemption and forgiveness as a girl deals with her guilt after the sudden and tragic death of her father. With the family facing financial ruin, the survivors move to Oklahoma to live with the girl's grandmother outside of Tahlequah, atop Sparrowhawk Mountain. Emotionally lost and distraught, young Samantha (Chevel Shepherd) finds peace thanks to the attentions she receives from a mysterious wild horse that seems to be following her as she walks home from school each day.
Director: Eric Parkinson
Writers: Eric Parkinson, Mike Snyder
Stars: Anne Heche, Mo Brings Plenty, Adrian Paul
Eventually, Samantha is able to contact and ride the horse, and with training, she enters competitive rodeo barrel racing and begins to accept the new situation of hers and her friends. But her guilt remains, as Samantha hides the dark secret that she is responsible for her father's death. She can't forgive herself. But, with the help of a local Cherokee spiritual leader, her riding coach, and the wisdom of a local pastor, Samantha realizes a greater truth and solace for her concerns.
Parkinson hired a stunt double for her riding scenes, but fondly described the moment the "Six Days Seven Nights" alum "politely asked" for the stuntman to get off the horse, so she could do the scenes herself. riding.
She “got up on top, settled into the saddle and said, ‘Eric, let's get on with this,'” Parkinson told The Post in an email. “So, we rolled, and Anne and the horse took off at a gallop, perfectly executed the barrel rolls, and raced to the finish line in record time,” Parkinson recalled. “When the cameras stopped, I walked over to Anne, a bit in shock.
"I told her, 'Anne, your agent told us you weren't an experienced cyclist!' Anne replied, 'I'm not...but my character is a champion,'" she said.
“I guess none of us know when we are going to face our last performance. So, I guess facing every challenge 'like a champion' is what I will remember most about Anne Heche," Parkinson said of the actress, who was taken off life support Sunday after being declared brain dead from a car accident in August. . 5. She was 53 years old.
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