Matt Damon said that in 1995, he was paid $20,000 to be in Tommy Lee Jones' film The Good Old Boys. He was able to hang out with Jones all summer and the money kept Damon and Ben Affleck free from having to take other jobs so that they could write Good Will Hunting (1997).
Tommy Lee Jones's second western for television, after Lonesome Dove (1989). Sissy Spacek and Sam Shepard appeared together again later the same year in Streets of Laredo (1995), the sequel to Lonesome Dove.
This film was a pet project of Tommy Lee Jones as it depicts his own heritage. He was born in San Saba, Texas and his grandparents were in a similar situation to the families in this movie.
A key story element is that of grants from the State of Texas for family farms and ranches. While the land was free, the person awarded the land was given three years to make substantial improvements, such as erecting houses, barns and other structures. In order to do this, the grant holder had to take a high interest loan from a bank. If they were to default, the bank would own the property.
Most of the small banks were owned by small groups of investors such as the Tarpley character in this movie, who was using this scheme to expand his ranch. There were few regulations. Many of these banks took advantage of the situation by putting the debtors in an almost impossible situation so that the banks would end up owning vast amounts of land for what amounted to a minimal investment. By this means, massive cattle ranches and cotton farms could be built that would eventually out-compete the small landowners, driving them out of business by price manipulation and economy of scale. For homesteaders to survive, such as those depicted in this story, it required an enormous amount of determination. Unlike the bank owners, they did not get rich, but they were able to survive.
Most of the small banks were owned by small groups of investors such as the Tarpley character in this movie, who was using this scheme to expand his ranch. There were few regulations. Many of these banks took advantage of the situation by putting the debtors in an almost impossible situation so that the banks would end up owning vast amounts of land for what amounted to a minimal investment. By this means, massive cattle ranches and cotton farms could be built that would eventually out-compete the small landowners, driving them out of business by price manipulation and economy of scale. For homesteaders to survive, such as those depicted in this story, it required an enormous amount of determination. Unlike the bank owners, they did not get rich, but they were able to survive.
Upton county, where this story takes place, is approximately 100 miles due west of San Angelo. The actual Upton city, which is east of Austin, is an unincorporated community - little more than a crossroads out in the country. What is referred to as Upton city was an unofficial name. In 1911 it was given the name of Rankin, after local rancher Finis E. Rankin, who was born in 1856 and therefore about the same age as Tommy Lee Jones' character. Rankin was referred to as a rancher but he was also in charge of the bank. In reality, Rankin received his 640 acre grant in 1911 but with a bit of imagination and for all practical purposes, the rancher / banker played by Wilford Brimley is the same fellow as Rankin.