A retired farmer and widower in his 70s, Alvin Straight learns one day that his distant brother Lyle has suffered a stroke and may not recover. Alvin is determined to make things right with Lyle while he still can, but his brother lives in Wisconsin, while Alvin is stuck in Iowa with no car and no driver's license. Then he hits on the idea of making the trip on his old lawnmower, thus beginning a picturesque and at times deeply spiritual odyssey.
Richard Farnsworth Alvin
Sissy Spacek Rose
Jane Galloway Heitz Dorothy
Joseph A. Carpenter Bud
Donald Wiegert Sig
Tracey Maloney Nurse
Dan Flannery Doctor Gibbons
Jennifer Edwards Brenda
Ed Grennan Pete
Jack Walsh Apple
Gil Pearson Bus Driver
Barbara June Patterson Woman on Bus
Everett McGill Tom the John Deere Dealer
Anastasia Webb Crystal
Matt Guidry Steve
Bill McCallum Rat
Barbara E. Robertson Deer Woman
James Cada Danny Riordan
Sally Wingert Darla Riordan
Barbara Kingsley Janet Johnson
Jim Haun Johnny Johnson
Wiley Harker Verlyn Heller
Randy Wiedenhoff Fireman #1
Jerry E. Anderson Fireman #2
Kevin Farley Harald
John Farley Thorvald
John Lordan Priest
Garrett Sweeney Boy in Truck
Peter Sweeney Boy in Truck
Tommy Fahey Boy in Truck
Matt Fahey Boy in Truck
Dan Fahey Boy in Truck
Russ Reed Mt. Zion Bartender
Leroy Swadley Bar Patron
Ralph Feldhacker Farmer on Tractor
Harry Dean Stanton Lyle