C. Thomas Howell on the importance of making Westerns as authentic as possible

Set in Stephenville, Texas, the cowboy drama Ride stars veteran actor C. Thomas Howell as John Hawkins, a bull rider who reconnects with his estranged son (Jake Allyn) to find a way to save his daughter’s life after she's diagnosed with cancer. During a recent interview with the Current, Howell, 57, who is best known for his roles in The Outsiders, E.T. the Extraterrestrial and Red Dawn, talked about his rodeo background, standing up for authenticity in the film and how old-school cowboys are different than those from today’s generation.