| 8 Seconds | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | John G. Avildsen |
| Written by | Monte Merrick |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Victor Hammer |
| Edited by | J. Douglas Seelig |
| Music by | Bill Conti |
Production company | Jersey Films |
| Distributed by | New Line Cinema |
Release date |
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Running time | 105 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $7 million[1] |
| Box office | $19,623,396[2] |
8 Seconds is a 1994 Americancontemporary Westernbiographical drama film directed byJohn G. Avildsen.[3] Its title refers to the length of time a bull rider is required to stay on for a ride to be scored. The film starsLuke Perry as Americanrodeo legendLane Frost and focuses on his life and career as abull riding champion. It also featuresStephen Baldwin asTuff Hedeman, and Red Mitchell asCody Lambert.
The film was completed and premiered shortly after what would have been Frost's 30th birthday, in late 1993.
While growing up inOklahoma,Lane Frost learns the tricks of thebull riding trade at the hand of his father Clyde, an accomplishedbronc rider himself. As he grows older, Lane travels the professional rodeo circuit with his best friendsTuff Hedeman andCody Lambert. He meets and falls in love with abarrel 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 1987Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association bull riding world championship is marred by a cheating incident, questions about Kellie's devotion, and a nearly-broken neck. The film also follows him through the true life series between himself andRed Rock, a bull that no cowboy had ever been able to stay on for eight seconds. It cuts the series down to three rides. In 1989, Lane is the second-to-last bull rider during the last day of that year'sCheyenne Frontier Days rodeo. He successfully rides the bull named Takin' Care of Business and dismounts, but the bull turns back and hits him in the side with a horn, breaking some ribs and severing a main artery. As a result of excessive internal bleeding, Lane dies on the arena floor before he can be transported to the hospital.
The final scene shows Hedeman later that same year at theNational Finals Rodeo riding for the world championship. After the eight-second bell sounds, he continues to ride and stays on an additional eight seconds as a tribute to his fallen best friend, who will never be forgotten.
Filming took place mainly inBoerne, Texas,Del Rio, Texas, Tucson Rodeo Grounds,San Antonio andPendleton, Oregon and a handful of other minor locations.[4][citation needed]
8 Seconds was released in the United States on February 25, 1994. In the Philippines, the film was released on September 8, 1994, with free "Luke Perry handkerchiefs" handed out to moviegoers who present the film's newspaper ad at the lobby of any theater; the film was promoted as being the first American film to be given by theMovie and Television Review and Classification Board's (MTRCB) an "Excellent" rating.[5]
The film gained a mixed reception.[6] TheMilwaukee Journal Sentinel praised Perry's acting but criticized the performance of Cynthia Geary, who played Kellie Frost.[7] It holds a 31% rating fromRotten Tomatoes based on 13 reviews.[8]
Free: Luke Perry handkerchiefs to wipe away your tears. Clip this ad and present it at the lobby
