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Paris, Texas

Paris, Texas is a 1984 drama road film directed by Wim Wenders and co-written by Sam Shepard and L.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Paris, Texas is a 1984 drama road film directed by Wim Wenders and co-written by Sam Shepard and L. M. Kit Carson. It follows Travis Henderson, a man who reappears after years of absence and tries to reconnect with his family. The film is known for its performances, cinematography, and Ry Cooder’s soundtrack.

Plot

The film follows Travis Henderson after he reappears in Texas after years away. He gradually reconnects with his brother Walt and his son Hunter, then sets out to find Jane, the wife he left behind. The story moves through Texas and includes scenes in the desert and Houston as Travis and his son Hunter search for Jane.

Production

Paris, Texas was directed by Wim Wenders and written by Sam Shepard and L. M. Kit Carson. It was a co-production involving West Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.

Cast and characters

The principal cast includes Harry Dean Stanton as Travis, Nastassja Kinski as Jane, Dean Stockwell as Walt, Aurore Clément as Anne, and Hunter Carson as Hunter.

Music and reception

The film is closely associated with Ry Cooder’s soundtrack. It became one of Wenders’ best-known films and received major international recognition, including the Palme d’Or at Cannes. It is widely regarded as a major art-house and road-movie work.

Key facts

  • The film centers on Travis Henderson, who returns after an unexplained four-year absence and begins searching for his estranged wife, Jane.
  • Harry Dean Stanton plays Travis Henderson, with Nastassja Kinski as Jane Henderson and Dean Stockwell as Walt Henderson.
  • The story moves through Texas and includes scenes in the desert and Houston as Travis and his son Hunter search for Jane.
  • The film was directed by Wim Wenders and written by Sam Shepard and L. M. Kit Carson.
  • It is widely regarded as a major art-house and road-movie work, and is associated with Ry Cooder’s score.
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Canadian context

The film has Canadian relevance as a widely studied classic of international art cinema and road-movie storytelling, often included in North American film criticism and film studies.

Frequently asked questions

What is Paris, Texas about?
It is about Travis Henderson, who returns after a four-year disappearance and tries to reconnect with his family while searching for his estranged wife, Jane.
Who directed Paris, Texas?
Wim Wenders directed the film.
Where is Paris, Texas located?
Paris is a city in northeastern Texas, United States.
What songs are in Paris, Texas?
The film is best known for Ry Cooder’s instrumental soundtrack, especially the main theme often identified as the title piece. A complete song list is not provided in the available sources.
Is Paris, Texas a true story?
No. It is a fictional film, not a true-story adaptation.
Who stars in Paris, Texas?
The main cast includes Harry Dean Stanton, Nastassja Kinski, Dean Stockwell, Aurore Clément, and Hunter Carson.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris,_Texas_(film)
    Supports: Film title, release year, director, writers, co-production countries, and principal cast.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087884/
    Supports: Plot outline, director, writers, and cast list.
  3. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-paris-texas-1984
    Supports: General description of the film’s themes and story.
  4. Onassis Foundation — https://www.onassis.org/whats-on/wim-wenders/paris-texas-1984
    Supports: Plot summary, cast, and note on Ry Cooder’s soundtrack and major awards.