Action western

Cowboy Up (2002): Cast & Plot

Name: Cowboy Up
Genre: Western, Action, Drama, Romance
Released: 2002-09-03
Duration: 1 h 45 min
Cast: Marcus Thomas, Kiefer Sutherland, Daryl Hannah, Melinda Dillon, Molly Ringwald

Cowboy Up is a 2002 action western directed by Xavier Koller, starring Marcus Thomas as Ely Braxton, Kiefer Sutherland and Daryl Hannah. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes.

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Released: September 3, 2002
Runtime: 1h 45m (105 min)
Director: Xavier Koller
Genres: Western , Action , Drama , Romance
Original language: English
Studio: Code Entertainment
After the credits: No No extra scene

The story

What Is Cowboy Up About?

The premise of Cowboy Up without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Professional bull riding is depicted as a brutal, high‑octane sport where daring athletes clash. Newcomer Ely Braxton (Marcus Thomas) seeks thrills, while his brother Hank (Kiefer Sutherland) works as a rodeo clown, each using the other’s talent. Their bond is strained when Ely falls for the arena sweetheart (Daryl Hannah), sparking Hank’s jealousy. As tensions rise, the brothers confront their differences amid fierce competition in the bull ring.

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Cast & crew

Cowboy Up Cast & Characters

Marcus Thomas leads the cast as Ely Braxton, with Kiefer Sutherland as Hank Braxton and Daryl Hannah as Celia Jones. Directed by Xavier Koller; 15 actors are credited in all.

Director Xavier Koller

Marcus Thomas as Ely Braxton
Kiefer Sutherland as Hank Braxton
Daryl Hannah as Celia Jones
Melinda Dillon as Rose Braxton

Also Starring in Cowboy Up

· 11 more

Molly Ringwald Connie
Pete Postlethwaite Reid Braxton
Russell Means Joe
Bo Hopkins Ray Drupp
Robyn Peterson Debbie
Anthony Lucero Jed
Georgina Lightning Brenda
Karina Logue Reporter
Timothy Daly Young Ely
Elizabeth Fields Rodeo Girl
Pam Minick TV Reporter

From the director

More from Xavier Koller

More films directed by Xavier Koller: Little Mountain Boy, The Black Brothers, Eine wen iig, dr Dällebach Kari and Gripsholm.

Full filmography

Plot

Cowboy Up Plot Summary

What happens in Cowboy Up from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Ely Braxton is a rising bull riding star who is trying to come back after injuries that nearly claimed his life. Against the wishes of his mother Rose Braxton and his girlfriend Connie, Ely returns to the arena to chase a championship and to prove himself worthy of the legacy of his estranged father, Reid Braxton. His older brother, Hank Braxton, a bull rider-turned-bullfighter and stock contractor, anchors the family ranch in Santa Maria, California, and the siblings push each other to sharpen their skills even as their bond strains under the weight of past wounds.

Full summary

The whole story of Cowboy Up, scene by scene

Read the full summary