The Last Ride is a 2004 American action drama television film directed by Guy Norman Bee and starring Dennis Hopper, Will Patton, Chris Carmack, Nadine Velazquez and Fred Ward. The story for the film was written by Rob Cohen, well known for directing another automotive action film, The Fast and the Furious (2001). The movie premiered on June 2, 2004, on the USA Network and, at the time of its release, was primarily used by General Motors to market the new Pontiac GTO. During late 2004 and early 2005, it was also released in several countries outside the United States, mostly as a straight-to-DVD movie. Plot In 1970, Ronnie Purnell is arrested at the California–Mexico border after a robbery and jailed for more than 30 years. Since Purnell's wife was killed during the chase with the police, California Highway Patrol Officer Darryl Kurtz took care of their son Aaron. When Ronnie is released from jail, he decides to take vengeance on Darryl. Aaron has also become a cop and doesn't want to hear about his father anymore, but Aaron's son Matthew, a San Diego street racer, is fascinated by his grandfather's past. Matthew decides to help Ronnie find his old car, a 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge, in which he stashed a key for a safe containing evidence against Darryl. Cast Dennis Hopper as Ronnie Purnell Will Patton as Aaron Purnell Chris Carmack as Matthew Purnell Fred Ward as Darryl Kurtz Nadine Velazquez as J.J. Cruz Peter Onorati as Burt Walling Production Rob Cohen came up with the idea for the film while directing commercials for the 2004 Pontiac GTO. Filming took place in San Diego. See also List of media set in San Diego References External links 2004 television films 2004 films 2004 action drama films 2004 action thriller films 2004 crime drama films 2004 crime thriller films 2000s American films 2000s English-language films Action television films American action drama films American action thriller films American auto racing films American crime drama films American crime thriller films American drama television films American films about revenge American thriller television films Crime television films Films about automobiles Films about father–son relationships Films set in 1970 Films set in 2004 Films set in San Diego Films shot in San Diego USA Network original films