Tender Mercies

Tender Mercies

Mac Sledge

Rosa Lee

Dixie

Harry

Sue Anne

Sonny

Robert

Reporter

Lewis Menefee

Reverend Hotchkiss

Larue

Jake - Slater Mill Boys Member

Bertie - Slater Mill Boys Member

Steve - Slater Mill Boys Member

Henry - Slater Mill Boys Member

Man in Bar

Concessionaire

Boy at Dance

Doorman

Man at Motel

Man at Dixie's House

Nurse

Country Woman

Country Man

Waiter

Choirmaster

Man in Bar

Man at Dixie's House

Ada - Dixie's Driver

Man at Dixie's House

Concessionaire

Concessionaire

Woman at Dance

Woman at Dance

Woman at Dance

Piano - Country Blues Band Member

Drums - Country Blues Band Member

Steel Guitar - Country Blues Band Member

Guitar - Country Blues Band Member

Bass - Country Blues Band Member

Bar Patron

The film was originally released on March 4, 1983 in only three movie theaters in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. This was due perhaps in part to poor test screenings - which had caused Universal executives to lose faith in the film - but also because Universal had released the far more expensive and anticipated Scarface (1983) the same year, and was spending most of its advertising budget to promote that film instead. Country music star Willie Nelson was nonetheless one of several country performers who were impressed by the authenticity of Robert Duvall's performance and offered to help promote it, however, studio executives told Duvall that they did not understand how someone like Nelson could help publicize it. Duvall later reflected that this was indicative of the studio's lack of understanding about both the genre and the film.

When Mac was talking with the band about possibly joining them to record some songs, they stopped in front of a shop named "T.M. Harper Hardware". Tess Harper played Rosa Lee, Mac's new wife.

Duvall had director approval on the film, but his first choice, Richard Pearce, was unavailable.

In the final scenes, Sonny is shown with empty farmland behind him, then after a cut to a wider shot, suddenly the gas station and motel are behind him.

Woman with Groceries: Hey, mister, were you really Mac Sledge?

Mac Sledge: I don't trust happiness. I never did, I never will.