With his bronco-busting career on its last legs, Junior Bonner heads to his hometown to try his luck in the annual rodeo. But his fond childhood memories are shattered when he finds his family torn apart by his greedy brother and hard-drinking father.
Steve McQueen
Junior Bonner
Robert Preston
Ace Bonner
Ida Lupino
Elvira Bonner
Ben Johnson
Buck Roan
Joe Don Baker
Curly Bonner
Barbara Leigh
Charmagne
Mary Murphy
Ruth Bonner
Bill McKinney
Red Terwiliger
Dub Taylor
Del
Sandra Deel
Nurse Arlis
Don 'Red' Barry
Homer Rutledge
Charles H. Gray
Burt
Matthew Peckinpah
Tim Bonner
Sundown Spencer
Nick Bonner
Rita Garrison
Flashie
Roxanne Knight
Merla Twine
Sandra Pew
Janene Twine
William E. Pierce
Rodeo Official
P. K. Strong
Dudette
Toby Michaels
Dudette
Bonnie Clausing
Dudette
Francesca Jarvis
Rodeo Secretary
George Weintraub
George
Irene Simpson
Barmaid
Lynette Carrington
Young Girl at Parade (uncredited)
James M. George
Indian (uncredited)
Rod Hart
Singer in Bar (uncredited)
Wayne McLaren
Man (uncredited)
Sam Peckinpah
Man in Palace Bar (uncredited)
Sharon Peckinpah
Bar Patron (uncredited)
Casey Tibbs
Parade Grand Marshal (uncredited)
Director
Sam Peckinpah
Dialogue
Sharon Peckinpah
Writer
Jeb Rosebrook
May 9, 2017
7
Average film but it does feature a cracking lead performance.
The film itself is interesting enough, even to those not interested in its core subject of Rodeo, and it's a story that I think most viewers can get onside with. The title character played wonderfully by Steve McQueen returns to his home town of Prescott, Arizona, to find that the family he left behind is now fractured and that age has caught up with him and his Rodeo life.
It's a very up and down piece that on the surface doesn't seem like a directed effort from Sam Peckinpah. But there's some very special treats in the film to look out for. I have never been to a Rodeo so I have no frame of reference as regards the power of the Rodeo scenes here, but they certainly hit the spot of this particular viewer, in fact, I was transfixed by them. The film is also dotted with interesting and nicely drawn characters that are thankfully well realised by the acting talent on show. Ida Lupino, Robert Preston & Ben Johnson all help to keep the film way above average, but ultimately it's Steve McQueen turning in a memorable lead performance that actually deserves a better film than the one it ends up being. So 7/10 for the film as a whole, but a genuine 10/10 for the affectingly deep turn from McQueen.
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00