User reviews

Great movie . Amazing story, but whoever made this movie has the worst marketing team in the world this movie wasn't publicized will enough so it didn't get the media attention it deserves. This movie is great for people who like prison movies .

Stock up on food and drink for this long long tv movie that goes nowhere. And when the credits role acknowledging the real life individuals, you almost expect to see your own name for having sat through it. Give yourself a round of applause for staying awake.

In rural Texas in 1928, teenager Clyde Thompson (Mateus Ward) is caught in a situation gone wrong and kills a man. He is convicted and sentenced to death, but when the sentence is later commuted to life he grows into a hardened inmate, kills again and earns a reputation as the "meanest man in Texas" before later finding the Bible.

Based off a real story, the film tells a literal description of events. It is adequately done and well intentioned, though it is blandly handed while Thompson never seems to age in the film.

Total waste of time...cannot imagine it is rated as high as it is. 84 people reviewed it and must be that many on the payroll. Turned it off with 45 minutes left, can't believe I waited that log to do so.

I thought this was going to be a tough prison movie but its so bad, it was a very low budget film and was all about some made up god, acting was terrible and I can't believe it has such a high rating. I wasted 100 minutes on this DONT you do the same

During the last few years, there have been quite a few Christian inspirational films that have made their way to theaters. Some were pretty good and some were awfully bad (such as the rather mean spirited "God is Not Dead"). Well, one of the latest and best is "The Meanest Man in Texas"…a true story that is unusual in that it is great for all audiences…not just church goers.

Mateus Ward stars as Clyde Thompson, a man once termed 'the meanest man in Texas' by prison authorities. While I have never heard of young Ward before, based on his terrific performance, I think it's a lock we'll be seeing a lot more of him! Also quite impressive is Jamie McShane as Captain Colt. He has a lot of credits, but I can't recall having seen him. All I know is that I was blown away at their performances and both left me wanting more.

The film begins with a senseless double murder. Three young men are the culprits and Clyde is sentenced to death for this. At this point, you can't help but feel a bit sorry for him….as he's incredibly young and the folks in town are screaming for his execution. Shortly before the execution, however, the governor commutes the sentence to life of hard labor. And, hard it is…with Clyde living a hellish existence which helps make him a vicious, bitter young man. He soon is shot while trying to escape and later ends up killing an inmate who tried to sexually assault him. Now, he's a thrice convicted murderer…and not the least bit repentant as well as very angry. He also has another escape attempt to his credit as well as an attempted murder of another inmate! This is when he's given the moniker 'The Meanest Man in Texas'….and he certainly lives up to this. In fact, he's so violent that the prison decides to put him in solitary confinement…where he remains for many years. What's next? See the film.

There is just so much to admire about the film. In addition to the terrific acting, the story is very engaging and I appreciate that it sticks very close to Clyde's real life—something all too rare with bio pics. In addition, the film looks very professional throughout— with excellent direction, editing and production values. Most importantly, while the story is about eventual redemption and Clyde's conversion to God, it is never heavy-handed and the message is handled exceptionally well. I could see Atheists, Buddhists or anyone else enjoying this film and aside from very young children, the movie is something I heartily recommend for everyone. So, it's not surprising that the film was recognized as the Best Feature Film for the Influx Magazine Film Awards. See this one.

Hated this movie. it was so so so boring. The lead actor was bland and monotone. And the supermodel with the deformities irritated me. Wish he'd have gotten the chair then there would have been a film.

Clearly it's a low budget film, with some technical flaws, but it is so inspiring! I see that some critics and reviews are calling it a Christian film, though I would argue after seeing it twice, this is a film about hope and inspiration. The message is clear, no matter how low you get, no matter how far you fall, you can always find hope and pull yourself up. Clyde Thompson never gave up. If he can rise out of the ashes, so can anyone. This is a man who found a faith, a love, and a calling... you don't have to pigeon hole that into a genre... it's just an incredible story!

The Meanest Man in Texas is an amazing true story put together over many years by producer Brad Wilson. For some reason I had missed it when it came out just a few years ago but this movie features incredible acting performances by lead actors Mateus Ward and Jamie McShane. There are a few scenes that might be a little tough to watch and possibly be inappropriate for very young children (under 10 years), but this is a MUST SEE movie with a very inspirational ending! There is no gratuitus excessive violence added in that is not part of the actual story and the unexpected love story twist at the end was very heartwarming. I absolutely loved this movie and so glad I finally got to catch it.

I thought it might be a bit dull cliched and preachy, wrong on all counts. Excellent performances drove this film, the script was tight gritty and packed a punch. A story of redemption is not welcome from all quarters, but as something like this has happened to me I did love it. Praise the Lord.

Please go see this movie! You will be glad you did! SUCH AN INSPIRATIONAL STORY! 💜

This movie shows nothing is impossible when you deny yourself and follow God. He will do more than you can think or imagine. The prisons in the 20's and 30's were hardcore. Enough to change the most innocent person into a harden killer. If you are a follower of Christ, this story will give you a great deal of hope in your trials. If you're not a follower of Christ, this story will give you a great deal of hope in your trials when you realize everything you've tried doesn't work and you're ready to try what does. If God let's you do whatever you want, then you are your on God. Thank you God for leading Don Umphrey to write this story and bringing it to life on the screen for all to see your Glory.