Junior Bonner (1972): Cast & Plot
Junior Bonner is a 1972 drama western starring Steve McQueen as Junior Bonner, Mary Murphy and Sundown Spencer. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 40m (100 min)
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Solar Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Junior Bonner About?
The premise of Junior Bonner without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Steve McQueen stars as Junior Bonner, a once‑renowned bronco‑busting rider whose career is winding down. He returns to his hometown to compete in the annual rodeo, hoping for a final triumph. Instead he discovers his family fractured—his brother is greedy and his father is a hard‑drinking, abusive presence—forcing Junior to confront painful memories and decide what matters most.
Junior Bonner Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- family relationships
- dysfunctional family
- dysfunctional marriage
- punched in the face
- rodeo
- bull riding
- small town
- prescott arizona
- parade
- mother son relationship
- husband wife relationship
- father son relationship
+38 more Show fewer
- brother brother relationship
- bar fight
- cowboy
- accordionist
- card game
- cowbell
- destruction
- television set
- flirting
- horseback riding
- telephone booth
- billiards
- billiard table
- falling off a horse
- flower
- town
- watching tv
- character name as title
- taxi
- house demolition
- pool hall
- family dinner
- rodeo parade
- hospital discharge
- estranged couple
- floral arrangement
- hostility
- reference to australia
- travel agency
- clothesline
- contemporary western
- horse jumps a fence
- bare chested male
- airplane ticket
- cougar
- bourbon whiskey
- the star spangled banner
- jealousy
Junior Bonner Cast & Characters
Steve McQueen leads the cast as Junior Bonner, with Mary Murphy as Ruth Bonner and Sundown Spencer as Nick Bonner.
-
Steve McQueen as Junior Bonner - Mary Murphy as Ruth Bonner
- Sundown Spencer as Nick Bonner
- Joe Don Baker as Curly Bonner
Also Starring in Junior Bonner
· 27 more- Ida Lupino Elvira Bonner
- Robert Preston Ace Bonner
- Ben Johnson Buck Roan
- Dub Taylor Del
- Bill McKinney Red Terwiliger
- Sam Peckinpah Man in Palace Bar (uncredited)
- Don 'Red' Barry Homer Rutledge
- Barbara Leigh Charmagne
- Charles H. Gray Burt
- Francesca Jarvis Rodeo Secretary
- Casey Tibbs Parade Grand Marshal (uncredited)
- Wayne McLaren Man (uncredited)
- Toby Michaels Dudette
- Matthew Peckinpah Tim Bonner
- Sharon Peckinpah Bar Patron (uncredited)
- Rod Hart Singer in Bar (uncredited)
Show all 31 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Sandra Deel Nurse Arlis
- Rita Garrison Flashie
- Roxanne Knight Merla Twine
- William E. Pierce Rodeo Official
- P. K. Strong Dudette
- Sandra Pew Janene Twine
- Bonnie Clausing Dudette
- Irene Simpson Barmaid
- Lynette Carrington Young Girl at Parade (uncredited)
- George Weintraub George
- James M. George Indian (uncredited)
Junior Bonner Plot Summary
What happens in Junior Bonner from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Junior ‘JR’ Bonner is a rodeo cowboy whose skills still burn bright, even as the wear of time shows in his hands and the way he tapes up injuries after a rough ride on a cantankerous bull named Sunshine. He returns home to Prescott for the Independence Day parade and rodeo, carrying a stubborn pride that won’t admit the old days might be slipping away.
Full summary
The whole story of Junior Bonner, scene by scene
Junior Bonner Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Junior Bonner.
How Well Do You Know Junior Bonner?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the bull Junior Bonner rides?
Cars in Junior Bonner
46 cars on screen, including the 1963 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible and the 1970 Cadillac DeVille Convertible.
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1963 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Main role -
1970 Cadillac DeVille Convertible Minor role -
1971 Cadillac Sedan DeVille Minor role -
1968 Chevrolet Suburban Minor role
Junior Bonner Also Known As
12 alternative titles, including “l'ultimo buscadero” and “El rey del rodeo”.
- Also known as
-
- l'ultimo buscadero
- El rey del rodeo
- 约尼尔·波恩纳
- Junior Bonner, rey del rodeo
- Junior Bonner, le dernier bagarreur
- O Último Brigão
- אלוף
- Dez Segundos de Perigo
- 주니어 보너
- Младший Боннер
- جونیور بنر
- 小邦纳
Seen Junior Bonner?
Movies Like Junior Bonner
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Bronco Billy, Bonanza Town and Wild Rovers.
Junior Bonner FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, cast and post-credit scenes of Junior Bonner, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Junior Bonner?
Junior Bonner runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was Junior Bonner released?
Junior Bonner was released on July 21, 1972.
Who is in the cast of Junior Bonner?
Junior Bonner stars Steve McQueen as Junior Bonner, Mary Murphy as Ruth Bonner and Sundown Spencer as Nick Bonner, among 31 credited actors.
Does Junior Bonner have a post-credit scene?
No. Junior Bonner has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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