Hard Country (film)

Hard Country is a 1981 American drama Western film directed by David Greene and starring Jan-Michael Vincent, Kim Basinger (in her film debut), and Michael Parks. Written by Michael Kane and Michael Martin Murphey, the film is about a young woman who longs to escape the limitations of life in a small Texas town to pursue her dreams. She is prevented from leaving by her factory worker boyfriend who does not want her to move to the big city. The film features appearances by country music artists Tanya Tucker and Michael Martin Murphey.

Plot
Ambitious young Jodie wants more out of life than the small Texas country town she lives in has to offer. Jodie realizes that in order to pursue her dreams she will have to leave Texas and move to the big city. However, her shiftless factory worker boyfriend Kyle wants to stay in Texas.

Production
Principal photography of Hard Country began in December 1979 on a budget of approximately $5–7 million. Though set in Texas, the film was largely shot on location in Bakersfield, California, while some second unit photography occurred in Midland, Texas.

Release
Hard Country was released theatrically in Los Angeles on May 8, 1981.