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A Long Hard Streak cover image

A Long Hard Streak 2024

Recommended

Distributed by Grasshopper Film, 12 East 32nd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016
Produced by Scott Rabideau and Bryan Stamp
Directed by Scott Rabideau
Streaming, 79 mins



High School - General Adult
Appalachia; Art; Criminal Justice

Date Entered: 01/24/2025

Reviewed by Sarah O'Shea, Access Services Librarian, SUNY Oswego

The story of Billy Dean Anderson is a folk story that comes to life. In rough and rural Tennessee, Mr. Anderson began a lifetime of crime throughout the area, being arrested and escaping prisons and jails time and time again. The local Appalachian communities, historically distrustful of government, began viewing the local criminal as a folk hero as law enforcement doggedly hunted the fugitive with little to no success.

His last escape from the law makes Mr. Anderson’s story particularly unique as he finds an incredibly well-hidden and virtually inaccessible cave where he lives out his final days. Living in the underground den for five years, supported by family and friends, he spent his time surviving the elements while journaling and creating paintings and carvings. His subject matter focused on depicting the religion that his early life was steeped in and the beautiful mountain wildlife surrounding him. These artistic endeavors seemed a type of lifeline for Mr. Anderson.

The documentary uses a variety of interviews with family and friends, archival photographs and film, newspapers of the time, and personal effects of Mr. Anderson such as his journals and paintings. They portray Mr. Anderson’s life and times clearly with these items as well as with well-placed graphics such as maps of his travels.

The documentary does a lovely job of giving us a snapshot of Appalachian hill culture while telling this unusual story of a man who seems both a hardened criminal and a soft-hearted artist and lover of nature. This film could support studies in art history, particularly folk art, as well as studies of American cultures. Criminal justice classes may also find the film beneficial in its commentary on this historic crime as well as local law enforcement of the time, with its questionable tactics and use of power. It is recommended for a high school to general audience.

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