Junior Bonner main backdrop
Junior Bonner main poster

Junior Bonner

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6.1/10 • 107

1972-08-021h 40m

WesternDrama

Steve McQueen going down his own road, tougher than ever, as "Junior Bonner"

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
Writters
Jeb Rosebrook
Editors
Robert L. Wolfe

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Steve McQueen

    Steve McQueen

    Junior Bonner

  2. Robert Preston

    Robert Preston

    Ace Bonner

  3. Ida Lupino

    Ida Lupino

    Elvira Bonner

  4. Ben Johnson

    Ben Johnson

    Buck Roan

  5. Joe Don Baker

    Joe Don Baker

    Curly Bonner

  6. Barbara Leigh

    Barbara Leigh

    Charmagne

  7. Mary Murphy

    Mary Murphy

    Ruth Bonner

  8. Bill McKinney

    Bill McKinney

    Red Terwiliger

  9. Dub Taylor

    Dub Taylor

    Del

Reviews2

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John Chard Avatar

John Chard

May 9, 2017

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.

Media

  • Junior Bonner poster
  • Junior Bonner poster
  • Junior Bonner poster
  • Junior Bonner poster
  • Junior Bonner poster
  • Junior Bonner poster
  • Junior Bonner poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
rodeoarizonajeepwomanizertruck