Movie tells story of man caught in Utah slot canyon

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SOUTHERN UTAH -- A movie about a famous incident in Utah opens Wednesday night in select cities around the country. The story will likely be inspiring to some, gruesome to others. Either way, state travel officials are angling to capitalize on the movie's spectacular views of Southern Utah.

James Franco is the star, But Utah scenery also has a starring role in the new movie "127 Hours". Franco plays Aron Ralston, solo adventurer extraordinaire, who climbs alone into a slot canyon and gets his arm trapped by a boulder, pinning him there for 127 hours.

The movie has Oscar talk.

Leigh von der Esch, Utah's travel chief, hopes worldwide exposure will draw tourists.

"127 Hours"

Due in theaters Nov. 5, "127 Hours" stars James Franco in practically a one-man show as Aron Ralston, a climber trapped in a Utah canyon after his arm was pinned under a boulder in 2003. On the fifth day of his ordeal, Ralston hacked off his arm to free himself, had to scale a 65-foot wall and hike eight miles before being rescued.

"Southern Utah is just spectacular on this film, and really, really showcased," she said.

There's a potential marketing problem. How will audiences and tourists respond to scenery so dangerous, it nearly kills off the hero, until he saves himself by cutting off his own arm?

"It's uplifting--a story of a young man that wanted to survive against all odds. And I think that's what we have to remember," von der Esch said.

Some of the props used in the movie are on display at the travel council, including the Leatherman tool which figures prominently in the central scene of the movie, a scene so intense that moviegoers are fainting at film festivals.

The state is seeking permission from the filmmakers to market Utah with the film's title.

"We're looking at trying to create itineraries, if you had 127 hours to spend in Utah, how would you spend it? On the ski slopes, playing golf, hiking in southern Utah," von der Esch said.

The film's marketing campaign is well underway. Franco scored a double today with appearances on the "Today" show and the "Tonight" show. Aron Ralston will be in Utah this weekend for a special screening. The film opens officially in Utah Nov. 19.

E-mail: hollenhorst@ksl.com