Junior Bonner

1972

1h 40m

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

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30 Images

Western

Drama

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.

Directors

Sam Peckinpah

Writers

Sharon Peckinpah(dialogue by)

Jeb Rosebrook(writer by)

Stars

Steve McQueen

Robert Preston

Ida Lupino

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Videos1

Trailer
Watch Junior Bonner (1972) - Trailer

Photos30

Top cast

Junior Bonner

Ace Bonner

Elvira Bonner

Buck Roan

Curly Bonner

Charmagne

Ruth Bonner

Red Terwiliger

Del

Nurse Arlis

Homer Rutledge

Burt

Tim Bonner

Nick Bonner

Flashie

Merla Twine

Janene Twine

Rodeo Official

Directors

Sam Peckinpah

Writers

Sharon Peckinpah(dialogue by)

Jeb Rosebrook(writer by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

User reviews2

Review

Featured review

7/10

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.

John Chard09 May, 2017