From major box office hits to cult classics, Austin has provided a spectacular landscape for filmmakers to bring their vision to life. Visitors have flocked to destinations featured in iconic locally made films like "Dazed and Confused" and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." With over 50 years of production, there are many film tourism locations in the Austin area to experience including those seen in "True Grit."

About "True Grit"

Following the murder of her father by hired hand Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), 14-year-old farm girl Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) sets out to capture the killer. To aid her, she hires the toughest U.S. marshal she can find, a man with "true grit," Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges). Mattie insists on accompanying Cogburn, whose drinking, laziness and generally-reprobate character fail to augment her faith in him. As they head out on their journey, they are joined by Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon), who wants Chaney for his own purposes.

Details: Paramount Pictures / Rated PG-13 / 110 minutes / Action, Drama, Comedy, Adventure, Western
Director: Joe & Ethan Coen
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper, Domhnall Gleeson and Elizabeth Marvel
Streaming On: @YouTube, @PrimeVideo, @GooglePlay, @VuduFans, @MicrosoftStore, @iTunes, @Redbox

Locations

Scene: Fort Smith, Arkansas

The scenes set in Fort Smith, Arkansas during the opening sequences were actually filmed in the small city of Granger, Texas about 50 minutes outside of Austin. The location was chosen specifically because of the empty lots between brick buildings and the rail terminal, which made for the authentic western location set.

Location: Granger, Texas (West Davilla St, Granger, TX)
 

Scene: Fort Smith Undertaker’s Building

Just five miles north of Granger is the town of Bartlett. The scene where Mattie (Steinfeld) sees her murdered father’s body was filmed inside the old First National Bank building. Bartlett is famous for its intact late 19th- and early 20th-century architecture. The bank, which is now a bed and breakfast, was also used as a location in "The Newton Boys".

Location: First National Bank Building (143 FM 487 Bartlett, TX 76511)
 

Scene: Courthouse

The scenes of Rooster (Bridges) testifying in court were filmed at the Old Blanco Courthouse in Blanco, about an hour outside of Austin. The courthouse, constructed in 1886, perfectly matched the time period that the film was set in. The Old Blanco Courthouse currently serves as a multi-use building that can be rented for special events.

Location: Old Blanco County Courthouse (300 Main St, Blanco, TX 78606)
 

Scene: Memphis, Tennessee

"True Grit" filmed a portion of the movie on Austin's Ninth Street, set to resemble an early 20th-century street in Memphis, Tennessee. The centerpiece of the shot, known today as The Austin Club, was built in 1878, making it the perfect period backdrop. All modern details were removed, such as light poles and road stripes on the street, while horse and buggies were added to busy the street where adult Mattie (Marvel) strolls. The Austin Club was also used as a location in the Pierce Brosnan series "The Son."

Location: The Austin Club (110 E Ninth St, Austin, TX 78701)
 

Scene: Memphis Train Station

When adult Mattie (Marvel) arrives in Memphis during the epilogue to the film, she walks through a train station which was filmed in the interior of the Texas State Capitol Building. This location was also used in the production of "Machete," "Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams" and "Tree of Life."

Location: Texas State Capitol Building (1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701)

Iconic Filming Location Map

Explore more iconic filming locations during your next visit to Austin. The Austin Film Tourism Guide has details on the where scenes from your favorite movie and television series were filmed in and around Austin.