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8 Seconds

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8 Seconds
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJohn G. Avildsen
Written byMonte Merrick
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyVictor Hammer
Edited byJ. Douglas Seelig
Music byBill Conti
Production
company
Jersey Films
Distributed byNew Line Cinema
Release date
  • February 25, 1994(1994-02-25)
Running time
105 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$19,623,396[1]

8 Secondsis a 1994 Americancontemporary Westernbiographical dramafilm directed byJohn G. Avildsen.[2]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 Perryas AmericanrodeolegendLane Frostand focuses on his life and career as abull ridingchampion. It also featuresStephen BaldwinasTuff 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.

Plot

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While growing up inOklahoma,Lane Frostlearns the tricks of thebull ridingtrade at the hand of his father Clyde, an accomplishedbronc riderhimself. As he grows older, Lane travels the professional rodeo circuit with his best friendsTuff HedemanandCody 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 Associationbull riding world championship is marred by a cheating incident, questions about Kellie's devotion, and a near 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 Rodeoriding 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.

Cast

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Production

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Filming took place mainly inBoerne, Texas,Del Rio, Texas,Tucson Rodeo Grounds,San AntonioandPendleton, Oregonand a handful of other minor locations.[3][citation needed]

Release

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8 Secondswas 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.[4]

Critical response

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The film gained a mixed reception.[5] TheMilwaukee Journal Sentinelpraised Perry's acting but criticized the performance of Cynthia Geary, who played Kellie Frost.[6]It holds a 31% rating fromRotten Tomatoesbased on 13 reviews.[7]

Soundtrack

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References

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  1. ^8 SecondsatBox Office Mojo
  2. ^"8 Seconds".Turner Classic Movies.United States:Turner Broadcasting System.RetrievedMarch 31,2018.
  3. ^"Filmed in Oregon 1908-2015"(PDF).Oregon Film Council.Oregon State Library.RetrievedDecember 27,2015.
  4. ^"Opens Today!".Manila Standard.Kamahalan Publishing Corp. September 8, 1994. p. 18.RetrievedJuly 19,2021.Free: Luke Perry handkerchiefs to wipe away your tears. Clip this ad and present it at the lobby
  5. ^Holden, Stephen (25 February 1994)."Review/Film; Finally Riding a Rodeo Bull Off Into the Sunset".The New York Times.RetrievedJune 1,2012.
  6. ^"The Milwaukee Journal - Google News Archive Search".news.google.
  7. ^8 SecondsatRotten Tomatoes
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