Memory Lane: The Texas Crossroads Where Tom Hanks Filmed the “Cast Away” Finale

I remember sitting in the movie theater here in Amarillo enjoying the newest Tom Hanks movie back in 2000. It seemed like any movie he was in I was going to see. The movie was Cast Away.

A Surprise Amarillo Shout-Out on the Big Screen

I was just enjoying the movie, not knowing I was about to experience a major call-out for our city on the big screen. Of course if you have seen the movie you know exactly what I am talking about.

I remember being at the movie theater. It may have even been opening day. We had no idea that we were going to have a lot to talk about afterwards. We did not know that our city was about to get a shoutout in the movie we were watching.

Read More: Six Amarillo Sites That Look Ready for the Silver Screen

The movie is about to end. Tom Hanks’ character, Chuck Noland, had already made his way back to civilization. He had made his one friend, Wilson, and lost him on that island. We were soon to see the credits roll.

The Famous “Cast Away” Crossroads

That’s when Chuck approached an intersection and had a conversation with Bettina. That’s when we heard it:

Well, that's 83 South. And this road here will hook you up with I-40 East. Um ... if you turn right, that'll take you to Amarillo, Flagstaff, California. And if you head back that direction, you'll find a whole lot of nothin' all the way to Canada.

I was talking to a friend recently who had just moved to Amarillo. We started discussing movies that reference the city.

Tom Hanks Really Was Here

The best part about this is they didn't just mention our city. They had to travel nearby to film it. Yes, Tom Hanks was in the area filming the ending scene. You can also still visit that intersection.

You Can Still Visit the Site

You know the one that if you go one direction you will hit Amarillo and if you go the other way you will find a whole lot of nothin.

Chuck was at the crossroads of life and this is where he got to pick his destiny. I wonder which way he chose to go?