The one thing “you cannot act”, according to Tom Hanks
Five years after its release, News of the World remains one of Tom Hanks’ most understated yet memorable performances. The 2020 film marked his first time starring in a Western. Something that, surprisingly, took decades to happen. Speaking in an older interview that has resurfaced online, Hanks opened up about the experience, the physical demands of the role, and the quiet emotional power of the story.
Set in 1870s Texas, the film follows Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd. He is a Civil War veteran who travels across the state reading newspapers to isolated towns. Along the way, he meets Johanna, a young girl raised by Native Americans after being orphaned. After that, the two set off on a reluctant but transformative journey together.
But what sounds like a straightforward Western was anything but behind the scenes, especially for Hanks. “I think I can act almost anything, including hopping on a horse and making it go,” he said with a laugh. “You cannot act riding a horse if you do not know how to ride a horse.” He also revealed that his horse, named Wimpy, eventually “acquiesced” to his presence after many long hours spent riding together.
Hanks also praised his young co-star Helena Zengel, who played Johanna. Despite being just 11 years old and speaking German and Kiowa in the film, she impressed him with her natural ease on camera. “I found myself wishing I could be as easy and free and as loose on camera as she was,” he said.
The film, directed by Paul Greengrass, was a quiet departure from Tom Hanks’ more iconic roles but still resonated with audiences, especially during the pandemic. It went on to earn four Oscar nominations, including Best Cinematography and Best Original Score.
Half a decade later, News of the World stands as a reminder that even Hollywood legends can still surprise us sometimes by simply climbing into the saddle.