Synopsis

In 1804, ambitious aristocrat Leslie Edwards recruits frontier guide Bartholomew Hunt to lead an expedition across the unexplored American wilderness. Hoping to beat Lewis and Clark to the Pacific, the mismatched pair joins a colorful crew and faces hostile terrain, wild animals, rival explorers, and internal tensions. Their disastrous journey gradually transforms their rivalry into an unlikely friendship.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film was shot under the working title "Edwards & Hunt." Filming took place in 1996, with locations including Northern California, Humboldt County, and the Missouri River region of Montana.

• A St. Louis settlement representing the year 1804 was built at Reading Island Park on the Sacramento River. A separate Native American village set was constructed farther upriver.

• The production's outdoor scenes were complicated by extreme heat. Performers wearing heavy frontier clothing and furs reportedly worked in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

• The movie was originally targeted for release in 1997, but its release was delayed for about a year during the Turner Broadcasting-Time Warner merger. It eventually opened on May 29, 1998.

• "Almost Heroes" was Chris Farley's final leading film role. It was released posthumously, several months after his death in December 1997.

• The script was conceived as an ensemble comedy, but post-production shifted the emphasis toward the central buddy pairing. Several scenes involving supporting characters were removed.

• A scene featuring Parker Posey as Edwards' sweetheart was cut, along with the original ending. The reshot ending omitted Jonah, leaving his fate unexplained after the confrontation with the conquistadors.

• The film was the last feature released under the Turner Pictures banner. Warner Bros. handled its distribution.

• The ship used for the expedition was later seen in "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World," where it served as the vessel commanded by Russell Crowe's character.