The Iron Orchard has been one of the great almost-made projects of Texas film and literature. Written by Tom Pendleton Van Zandt (yes, of those Van Zandts), it’s an occasionally overlooked classic of West Texas oil field life and Houston greed. After decades of abortive productions, now a film version is here – complete with trailer.

The Texas-set-and-made movie follows the rises and falls of Jim McNeely (Lane Garrison, From Dusk Till Dawn) from orphaned wildcatter to oil tycoon, with all the costs to his soul along the way.

Back in 2017, we dropped by the set (for the scenes in the trailer shot at the John Bremond Jr. House at Seventh and Guadalupe), and the film had its local premiere at Austin Film Festival 2018 (read our interview with star Lew Temple here). Now it’s heading to cinemas on March 1, and we have the first trailer.

However, there’s a special preview screening on Feb. 26 at the AFS Cinema (6406 N. I35), with Garrison, director Ty Roberts, and producers Camille Scioli Chambers, Houston Hill, and George Sledge around for a very special Q&A. Tickets are available now, via www.austinfilm.org.

Now, here’s that trailer:

Youtube video

Youtube video

This article appears in February 1 • 2019.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.