A Simplistic Review I Opryland USA: A Circle Broken

*Review from the 56th Nashville Film Festival in Nashville, TN

Much like Taylor Swift, the city of Nashville has gone through it’s number of ERAS.

Having lived in this city for nearly a decade (as of this review) I’ve missed some of it’s more important socio-political and natural moments, but I’ve been here for a few including the March 2020 Tornados.

Many people point to both the 2010 Nashville Flood as major turning point for Nashville’s development, but another disaster people see just as important was the closure of Opryland USA, a theme park which was paved over in favor of an outlet mall.

‘Opryland USA: A Circle Broken’ is truly a labor of love from director Brandon Vestal who spent over four years collecting photos, archival footage, and interviewing OG employees from the park which opening in 1972 and closed in 1997.

Vestal balances nostalgia and love with a tale of broken promises and ultimately how big business takes root and steam roll over history. People come to Nashville from around the world for The Grand Ole Opry, but so few know that is was Opryland USA, a theme park with rides like Grizzly River Rampage and Screamin’ Delta Demon, that saved the musical institution.

For comparison sake, as a born and raised South Floridian, I’ll always remember Six Flags Atlantis, which had it’s run from 1983 and was closed in 1992 following Hurricane Andrew. And guess what it become…a mall.

I feel your pain Nashville.

Click HERE for coverage on the film’s premier at the historic Belcourt Theater in Nashville (celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2025)