How O Brother, Where Art Thou? got inspired – then upstaged – by its own soundtrack

For their freewheeling comedy – back in cinemas this week – the Coen Brothers sought creative help from super-producer T-Bone Burnett, whose music for the film sparked a folk revival upon its release and launched the careers of many of its contributors. It may be the film’s greatest legacy, writes Xan Brooks

Mar 17, 2025 - 08:00
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How O Brother, Where Art Thou? got inspired – then upstaged – by its own soundtrack

For their freewheeling comedy – back in cinemas this week – the Coen Brothers sought creative help from super-producer T-Bone Burnett, whose music for the film sparked a folk revival upon its release and launched the careers of many of its contributors. It may be the film’s greatest legacy, writes Xan Brooks