Junior Bonner
Junior Bonner is a 1972 American Western film directed by Sam Peckinpah and starring Steve McQueen as the titular character, an aging rodeo cowboy who returns to his Arizona hometown for a local championship rodeo, where he navigates family tensions and reflects on his fading career.[1][2] The film features a notable ensemble cast including Robert Preston as Junior's charismatic but unreliable father Ace, Ida Lupino as his mother Alice, and Joe Don Baker as his ambitious brother Curly, who has shifted from rodeo life to real estate development.[1] Written by Jeb Rosebrook, the screenplay draws on authentic rodeo culture and family dynamics in the American Southwest, filmed on location in Prescott, Arizona, to capture a nostalgic portrait of mid-20th-century rural life.[1] Unlike Peckinpah's more violent works such as The Wild Bunch, Junior Bonner adopts a contemplative, non-violent tone focused on character study and quiet drama.[1] Critically acclaimed upon release, the film holds a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 24 reviews, with the consensus stating that a strong central performance from McQueen and absorbingly contemplative direction from Peckinpah make it a classic character study.[2] It earned positive notices for its authentic depiction of rodeo traditions and the performances of its leads, particularly Preston's portrayal of a dreamer chasing Australian gold.[2] Though a box office disappointment, Junior Bonner has since gained cult status as one of Peckinpah's most personal films, highlighting themes of obsolescence and resilience in the face of modernization.[1]Overview
Plot
Junior Bonner, a weathered rodeo cowboy in his late thirties, arrives in his hometown of Prescott, Arizona, ahead of the annual Frontier Days rodeo and Independence Day celebrations.[3] Upon entering town, he encounters bulldozers demolishing the family ranch, a development spearheaded by his ambitious younger brother, Curly Bonner, who runs a real estate company pushing mobile homes as symbols of progress.[4] Junior confronts Curly at the site, leading to a tense exchange that escalates into a physical altercation where Junior punches his brother through a window, highlighting their longstanding rivalry over family legacy and modernization.[3] Reuniting with his mother, Elvira Bonner, at the family diner, Junior learns of the ongoing family strains, including her separation from his father, Ace Bonner, a charismatic but unreliable former rodeo rider now chasing get-rich-quick schemes.[5] Ace soon appears, regaling the family with tales of his plans to emigrate to Australia for sheep farming and gold mining, though he lacks the funds and refuses to seek help from Curly.[4] The siblings' interactions at the diner underscore Curly's resentment toward Junior's free-spirited lifestyle and Ace's favoritism toward his eldest son, while Elvira navigates the emotional fallout of the family's fractured dynamics. Later, during a crowded bar gathering intended as a family reconciliation, old grudges boil over into a chaotic but ultimately cathartic brawl among the Bonners and locals.[3] The narrative builds to the rodeo events, opening with a vibrant parade through Prescott featuring floats, marching bands, and riders, capturing the town's festive spirit.[2] Junior, determined to prove himself despite his waning career, enters the bull-riding competition, facing the notorious black bull named Sunshine in a high-stakes ride. After an initial failed attempt earlier in the film where he is thrown off, Junior successfully stays mounted for the required eight seconds during the main event, earning a triumphant victory and a purse payout.[5] In the resolution, using his winnings, Junior anonymously purchases a one-way ticket to Australia for Ace and his loyal dog; when the travel agent inquires about the buyer, Junior instructs her to tell Ace that "JR sent you," before driving off into the horizon to continue his rodeo circuit.[6]Cast
The principal cast of Junior Bonner (1972) features a mix of established stars and character actors selected to convey the film's themes of aging rodeo life and family ties in the American West. Steve McQueen stars as Junior "JR" Bonner, the titular aging rodeo cowboy returning to his Arizona hometown. McQueen, known for action-oriented roles in films like The Great Escape (1963) and Bullitt (1968), brought his prior experience in Westerns—including the television series Wanted: Dead or Alive (1958–1961), The Magnificent Seven (1960), and Nevada Smith (1966)—to portray a more introspective drifter seeking a change of pace from his typical high-octane characters.[7][6] Robert Preston portrays Ace Bonner, Junior's flamboyant father and former rodeo champion with unfulfilled dreams. This marked Preston's first major film role since All the Way Home (1963), following a career resurgence on stage and in musicals like The Music Man (1962). Ida Lupino plays Elvira "Ellie" Bonner, Junior's estranged but resilient mother; it was her return to feature films after a 16-year hiatus since Strange Intruder (1956), during which she focused on directing and television work. Joe Don Baker appears as Curly Bonner, Junior's ambitious younger brother who has transitioned to real estate development; the role served as a breakthrough for Baker, building on his emerging reputation for rugged supporting parts in films like Cool Hand Luke (1967). Ben Johnson is cast as Buck Roan, a veteran rodeo stock contractor and Junior's longtime associate, leveraging Johnson's authentic background as a real-life cowboy, stuntman, and Academy Award-winning actor from Westerns such as The Last Picture Show (1971).[7][6]| Actor | Role | Notes on Relevance to Role |
|---|---|---|
| Steve McQueen | Junior "JR" Bonner | Drew on Western experience for rodeo authenticity.[7] |
| Robert Preston | Ace Bonner | Revived screen presence post-1963 with charismatic paternal energy.[6] |
| Ida Lupino | Elvira "Ellie" Bonner | Returned to acting after directing career hiatus.[7] |
| Joe Don Baker | Curly Bonner | Emergent character actor adding fraternal contrast.[6] |
| Ben Johnson | Buck Roan | Real rodeo background enhanced veteran cowboy portrayal.[6] |