Junior Bonner (1972)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Sam Peckinpah

Writer:

Jeb Rosebrook (written by)

Release Date:

2 August 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Western

Tagline:

"Tell 'em Junior sent you"

Plot:

Ace Bonner returns to Arizona several years after he abandoned his family, Junior Bonner is a wild young man. Against the typical rodeo championship, family drama erupts.

Plot Keywords:

Rodeo | Arizona | Cowboy | Bar Fight | Slow Motion

Cast

Steve McQueen	...	Junior 'JR' 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 (as William McKinney)
Dub Taylor	...	Del
Sandra Deel	...	Nurse Arlis
Don 'Red' Barry	...	Homer Rutledge (as Donald Barry)
Charles H. Gray	...	Burt (as Charles Gray)
Matthew Peckinpah	...	Tim Bonner
Sundown Spencer	...	Nick Bonner
Rita Garrison	...	Flashie

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:12 | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Palace Bar - 120 S. Montezuma Street, Prescott, Arizona, USA

Company:

American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

Trivia:

Final film of Mary Murphy.

Goofs:

Continuity: While they are sitting on the bench having a drink, Ace knocks Junior's hat off. The view from the rear shows the hat on the ground beside Junior, but when Aces gets up and picks up the hat, it is a few feet in front on Junior.

Quotes:

Elvira Bonner: As far as I'm concerned, you can go to hell or Australia, but not with me!
Ace Bonner: Well, they're both down under.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Death Proof (2007)

Soundtrack:

Bound to be back again

First rate character study, superbly acted.

Sam Peckinpah is usually stereotyped as a director who is mainly concerned with violence and confrontation. This is only part of the picture. If you look past the violence of 'The Wild Bunch' you'll see a movie concerned with old age, loyalty and changing values. 'Straw Dogs' deals with masculinity and ethics. 'Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia' contains a vivid picture of traditional Mexican culture confronted with modern America's greed and corruption. These sub-texts and themes are often overlooked because of the blood and gore.

'Junior Bonner' leaves out the gore, and what happens? Peckinpah detractors who criticise the aforementioned movies ignore it and dismiss it as "slow" and "boring"! It is anything but. 'Junior Bonner' is a thoughtful character study of an aging rodeo performer (Steve McQueen at his best) and his relationship with his estranged family (veterans Ida Lupino and Robert Preston and character actor legend Joe Don Baker - all first rate). It moves at its own pace, which will alienate the MTV-generation, but anyone with a love of good movies will be fascinated. 'Junior Bonner' may not be as widely discussed as Peckinpah's more controversial efforts, but it's just as good in its own way, and shows once again, that he was one of THE greats of American cinema. Don't overlook this one!