Wikipedia:Main Page history/2013 March 19

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Robert Duvall plays Mac Sledge in Tender Mercies

Tender Mercies is a 1983 American drama film. Robert Duvall (pictured) plays Mac Sledge, a recovering alcoholic country music singer who seeks to turn his life around through his relationship with a young widow and her son in rural Texas. Duvall, who sang his own songs in the film, drove more than 600 miles (966 km) throughout the state, tape recording local accents and playing in country music bands to prepare for the role. He and director Bruce Beresford repeatedly clashed during production, at one point prompting Beresford to walk off the set and reportedly consider quitting. Themes include the importance of love and family, the possibility of spiritual resurrection amid death, and the concept of redemption through Mac Sledge's conversion to Christianity. Following poor test screening results, distributor Universal Pictures made little effort to publicize Tender Mercies, which Duvall attributed to the studio's lack of understanding of country music. Although unsuccessful at the box office, it was critically acclaimed and earned five Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture. Tender Mercies won Oscars for Best Original Screenplay for Horton Foote and Best Actor for Duvall. (Full article...)

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  • On this day...

    March 19: Saint Joseph's Day (Western Christianity); Father's Day in various countries

    Bob Dylan

  • 1808Charles IV of Spain abdicated in favour of his son, Ferdinand VII.
  • 1915Pluto was photographed for the first time, 15 years before it was officially discovered by Clyde Tombaugh at the Lowell Observatory.
  • 1962 – Highly influential American musician Bob Dylan (pictured) released his eponymous debut album.
  • 1978 – In response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, the United Nations called on Israel to immediately withdraw its forces from Lebanon, and established the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
  • 2011Libyan civil war: The French Air Force launched Opération Harmattan, beginning foreign military intervention in Libya.

    More anniversaries: March 18 March 19 March 20

    It is now March 19, 2013 (UTC) – Reload this page
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    Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey

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