American Playhouse backdrop
American Playhouse S3E3 — True West
8.5
American Playhouse•Season 3•Episode 3

True West

8.5/10 · 479 votesJan 31, 1984110 min

Ranked #3 of 10 in Season 3•+0.8 vs season avg

Discussion

Estranged brothers, screenwriter Austin and drifter Lee, clash while staying at their mother's house in suburban Southern California, leading to a chaotic role reversal that explores themes of identity, family, and the American Dream.

Directed byGary Sinise, Allan A. Goldstein
Written bySam Shepard
Previous episodeE2 · Pudd'nhead WilsonNext episodeE4 · Nothing But a Man
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons13

All12345678910111213

Season 3 Episodes17

No image
E1 7.1

The Ghost Writer

No image
E2 7.0

Pudd'nhead Wilson

True West stillE3 8.5Now viewing

True West

No image
E4

Nothing But a Man

Popular Neurotics stillE5 8.6

Popular Neurotics

No image
E6 8.4

The Cafeteria

No image
E7

Refuge

No image
E8

The Gin Game

No image
E9 6.8

Haunted (aka Vengeance Is Mine)

No image
E10 7.3

The Killing Floor

No image
E11

Heartland

No image
E12 6.2

City News

No image
E13 9.3

Hughie

No image
E14 8.3

Concealed Enemies, Part I: Suspicion

No image
E15

Concealed Enemies, Part II: Accusation

No image
E16

Concealed Enemies, Part III: Investigation

No image
E17

Concealed Enemies, Part IV: Verdict

Crew4

Sam Shepard

Sam Shepard

Writer

Sam Shepard

Sam Shepard

Theatre Play

Gary Sinise

Gary Sinise

Director

A

Allan A. Goldstein

Director

Discussion

0 comments

Join the conversation

Share your take and reply to other fans.

No comments yet

Be the first to share your thoughts on this episode.

Episode Summary

"True West" is episode 3 of American Playhouse season 3. It scored 8.5/10 from 479 votes, ranking #3 of 10 episodes this season (season average 7.8). Directed by Gary Sinise, Allan A. Goldstein and written by Sam Shepard, it aired on January 31, 1984.

Next: E4 · Nothing But a ManBest of Season 3