Junior Bonner

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Junior Bonner

PG

Released Aug 2, 1972

1h 40m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

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24 Reviews

62%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

When wandering middle-aged rodeo rider Junior Bonner (Steve McQueen) returns to his Arizona hometown, he reunites with his family, which includes his charming, troublemaking father, Ace (Robert Preston), and his ambitious real estate-developer brother, Curly (Joe Don Baker). While Ace dreams of finding his fortune in Australia, Junior is determined to conquer a tough bull named Sunshine by riding it for eight seconds. Can Junior claim victory over Sunshine and stay in the rodeo business?

Critics Consensus

A strong central performance from Steve McQueen and absorbingly contemplative direction from Sam Peckinpah make rodeo drama Junior Bonner a classic character study.

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Michael Atkinson

Village Voice

[Steve] McQueen's reticent personality and hypnotic physical grace are in perfect service, and the air of authenticity is stinging.

May 30, 2018

Full Review

Michael Pattison

Slant Magazine

The historical moment is precious, as its only constant is flux.

Aug 9, 2015

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Variety Staff

Variety

Sam Peckinpah's reputation for violence is herein exorcised in the rodeo and brawl sequences. Audiences which consider such rough-and-tumble as innocuous, vicarious ventilation will get their fill, though others may perceive a bit more.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Robert Sullivan

Los Angeles Free Press

Junior Bonner is considerably better than most of the reviews it has been receiving would lead you to believe.

Jan 7, 2020

Full Review

Tony Sloman

Radio Times

Brilliantly played by Steve McQueen.

Rated: 4/5

May 30, 2018

Full Review

Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

There are broken dreams to tend to and long simmering antagonisms to manage, with Peckinpah keeping his distance, giving "Junior Bonner" a lived-in feel that's gentle on the senses but occasionally hard on the heart...

May 30, 2018

Full Review

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Alec B

It's symbolism is a bit obvious (i.e. when McQueen literally gets menaced by modernity) but that plays into the movie's narrative simplicity which works because the cast is uniformly good and Pekinpah clearly loves this weird subculture.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

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Scott M

Nothing about it was interesting. The dialog was horrendous. The actors seemed to be going through the motions to please the director. Steve McQueen's worst film.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/29/23

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isla s

I found this a rather slow and bland film. Steve McQueen is his usual cool self but I didn't feel engrossed by it and the plot seemed a little thin, so I wouldn't recommend it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

A great early 70's film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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Audience Member

Perhaps it's because I couldn't care less about the rodeo, but this movie did nothing for me. I was checked out almost the entire time. Which is shocking to me, considering how brilliant Peckinpah usually is, and it features Steve McQueen...?! Some of the day-to-day interactions, like at the bar and whatnot were pretty interesting though.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/21/20

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delysid d

not the most exciting film but a beautiful looking 70s picture

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/21/18

Full Review

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Sam Peckinpah

Director

Steve McQueen

Junior "JR" Bonner

Robert Preston

Ace Bonner

Ida Lupino

Elvira Bonner

Ben Johnson

Buck Roan

Joe Don Baker

Curly Bonner

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Synopsis

When wandering middle-aged rodeo rider Junior Bonner (Steve McQueen) returns to his Arizona hometown, he reunites with his family, which includes his charming, troublemaking father, Ace (Robert Preston), and his ambitious real estate-developer brother, Curly (Joe Don Baker). While Ace dreams of finding his fortune in Australia, Junior is determined to conquer a tough bull named Sunshine by riding it for eight seconds. Can Junior claim victory over Sunshine and stay in the rodeo business?

Director: Sam Peckinpah
Producer: Joe Wizan
Screenwriter: Jeb Rosebrook
Production Co: Joe Wizan-Booth Gardner Productions, Solar Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 2, 1972, Original
Release Date (DVD): May 25, 2004
Runtime: 1h 40m