8 Seconds
| 8 Seconds | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | John G. Avildsen |
| Produced by |
Clyde LeVin Danny DeVito Tony Mark Jeffery Swab |
| Written by | Monte Merrick |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Bill Conti |
| Cinematography | Victor Hammer |
| Edited by | J. Douglas Seelig |
Production company |
Jersey Films |
| Distributed by | New Line Cinema |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 105 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $7 million |
| Box office | $19,623,396[1] |
8 Seconds is a 1994 American biographical drama film directed by John G. Avildsen. Its title refers to the length of time a bull rider is required to stay on for a ride to be scored. It stars Luke Perry as American rodeo legend Lane Frost and focuses on his life and career as a bull riding champion. It also features Stephen Baldwin as Tuff Hedeman, and Red Mitchell as Cody Lambert. Notably, there is an early appearance by Renée Zellweger.
The film was completed and premiered shortly after what would have been Frost's 30th birthday, in late 1993.
Plot
While growing up in Oklahoma, young Lane Frost (Cameron Finley) learns the tricks of the bull riding trade at the hand of his father, Clyde (James Rebhorn), an accomplished rodeo bronco rider himself. As he enters his teenage and early adult years, Lane (Luke Perry) travels the western rodeo circuit with his best friends Tuff Hedeman (Stephen Baldwin) and Cody Lambert (Red Mitchell). He meets and falls in love with a young barrel racer, Kellie Kyle, and they eventually marry in 1984.
As Lane's legend and fame increase, so does the amount of pressure he puts on himself, to be what everyone wants him to be, and he wants to show that he is as good as they say he is. His ascent to the world championship is marred by a cheating incident, questions about Kellie's devotion, and a near broken neck. The film also follows him through the true life series between himself and Red Rock, a bull that no cowboy had ever been able to stay on for 8 seconds. It cuts the series down to three rides. In 1989, he is the second-to-last rider at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. While riding on the bull known as "Takin' Care Of Business", he dismounts after his 8-second ride but the bull turns back and hits him in the side with his horn, breaking some ribs and severing a main artery. As a result of excessive internal bleeding, he dies on the arena floor before he can be transported to the hospital.
The final scene shows Hedeman later that same year at the National Finals Rodeo riding for the world championship. After the 8 second bell sounds, he continues to ride and stays on an additional 8 seconds as a tribute to his fallen best friend.
Cast
- Luke Perry (Cameron Finley, young) as Lane Frost
- Stephen Baldwin as Tuff Hedeman
- Red Mitchell as Cody Lambert
- Cynthia Geary as Kellie Kyle Frost
- James Rebhorn as Clyde Frost
- Carrie Snodgress as Elsie Frost
- Linden Ashby as Martin Hudson
- Renée Zellweger as Buckle Bunny
- George Michael as Himself
- Brooks & Dunn as Themselves
- Vince Gill as Himself
- Karla Bonoff as Herself
Reception
The film gained a mixed reception.[2] The Milwaukee Journal praised Perry's acting but criticized the actress who portrayed Frost's wife.[3] It holds a 33% rating from Rotten Tomatoes.[4]
Soundtrack
References
External links
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Wikiquote has quotations related to: 8 Seconds |
- Template:Official Lane Frost website
- 8 Seconds at the Internet Movie Database
- 8 Seconds at Box Office Mojo
- 8 Seconds at Rotten Tomatoes