Comedy drama

Fandango (1985): Cast, Box Office & Plot

Name: Fandango
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: 1985-01-25
Duration: 1 h 31 min
Cast: Kevin Costner, Sam Robards, Judd Nelson, Chuck Bush, Marvin J. McIntyre

Fandango is a 1985 comedy drama directed by Kevin Reynolds, starring Kevin Costner as Gardner Barnes, Sam Robards and Judd Nelson. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes and earned $91,666 worldwide.

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Read the plot summary

Released: January 25, 1985
Runtime: 1h 31m (91 min)
Director: Kevin Reynolds
Genres: Drama , Comedy
Original language: English
Studio: Amblin Entertainment
After the credits: No No extra scene

The story

What Is Fandango About?

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

Every species experiences a stage between infancy and adulthood; in most animals it occurs within the first year, while for humans it often follows college. In 1971, five University of Texas friends set out on a road‑trip across the Mexican border, confronting uncertain futures—whether in Vietnam or elsewhere.

Fandango Themes & Keywords

· 34 tags

male nudity
road movie
based on short film
car
u.s. car
cadillac series 62
20th century
male underwear
briefs
road trip adventure
cadillac the car
mooning

+22 more

male rear nudity
college
texas
trip
vomiting
surprise party
austin texas
one word title
stunt flying
male bonding
train
1970s
desert
wedding
cemetery
teenager
vietnam war
airplane
skydiving
fireworks
friend
title spoken by character

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Cast & crew

Fandango Cast & Characters

Kevin Costner leads the cast as Gardner Barnes, with Sam Robards as Kenneth Waggener and Judd Nelson as Phil Hicks. Directed by Kevin Reynolds; 29 actors are credited in all.

Director Kevin Reynolds

Kevin Costner as Gardner Barnes
Sam Robards as Kenneth Waggener
Judd Nelson as Phil Hicks
Chuck Bush as Dorman

Also Starring in Fandango

· 25 more

Marvin J. McIntyre Truman Sparks
Bill Warren Truman
Suzy Amis The Girl
Brian Cesak Lester Griffin
Pepe Serna Gas Station Mechanic
Glenne Headly Trelis
E. G. Daily Judy
Michael M. Vendrell Helicopter Policeman
Stanley Grover Phil's Dad
Don Brunner Heckler #1
Robyn Rose Lorna
Jane A. Johnston Phil's Mom
Dan Hewitt Owens Man (uncredited)
Ben Graham Mayor
Dana Halsted Co-Ed
Michael Conn Heckler #2

Show all 29 cast members

Michael Maxwell Katz Heckler #3
Karl A. Wickman Helicopter Pilot
Bill Evridge Rancher
Margaret Nelson Rancher's Wife
Manley Adams Man on the Bench
Ken Fagen Man on the Bench
Bill Silver Man on the Bench
Jewel Watson Salad Lady
Allan Keown Butcher

From the director

More from Kevin Reynolds

More films directed by Kevin Reynolds, best-rated first: The Count of Monte Cristo, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Tristan and Isolde and Risen.

Full filmography

Plot

Fandango Plot Summary

What happens in Fandango from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1971, at a Texas fraternity house on the University of Texas campus in Austin, a graduation party kicks off the long summer before many of the Groovers head off to whatever comes next. The group is led by Gardner Barnes [Kevin Costner], a charismatic anchor who pulls the crew through the night with a mix of swagger and care. The core circle includes Kenneth Waggener [Sam Robards], who has just learned his draft deferment has expired and is about to be drafted, and Phil Hicks [Judd Nelson], a ROTC devotee whose ambitions rub against the realities of growing up.

Full summary

The whole story of Fandango, scene by scene

Read the full summary