A rich and graceful account of the life and work of regional film pioneer Eagle Pennell, the man whose first feature directly inspired Robert Redford`s Sundance Institute and who Richard Linklater called `one of the patron saints of American independent film`. Directed by Rene Pinnell and Claire Huie, the documentary tells the story of Pennell`s rise through his own talent and determination and his tragic prolonged alcoholism that resulted in his death in 2002. Featuring interviews with family, friends, collaborators and admirers, `The King of Texas` is at once inspirational drama, cautionary tale and worthy tribute to an unfairly maligned trailblazer of independent filmmaking.