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Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Geoffrey Lewis, Scatman Crothers, Bill McKinney ... see more see more... , Samuel Bottoms , Dan Vadis , Sierra Pecheur , Walter Barnes , Woodrow Parfrey , Beverlee McKinsey , William Prince , Tessa Richarde , Tanya Russell , Pam Abbas , Edye Byrde , Douglas Copsey , John Wesley Elliott Jr. , Chuck Hicks , Bobby Hoy , Doug McGrath , Lloyd Nelson , Michael Reinhold , Valerie Shanks , Sharon Sherlock , James Simmerhan , Jenny Sternling , Chuck Waters , Jerry Wills , Hank Worden , George Orrison , Sam Bottoms

Bronco Billy stars Clint Eastwood (who also directed) as the impresario of a seedy wild west show. Going along for the ride is spoiled socialite Sondra Locke, who is "initiated" by being pressed into ... read more read more...service as the wrong end of a knife-throwing act. The rest of the troupe, like Eastwood himself, are losers in life who yearn for the freedom and opportunity of the long-gone Old West. Despite its raucous ad campaign, Bronco Billy is at base a wistful character study, avoiding the usual trappings of car chases and redneck villains and offering quiet chuckles instead of belly laughs. Unfortunately it failed to click with the public, compelling Eastwood to temporarily return to his old crash-bang-pow formula in his next few films. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

37% liked it

6,953 ratings

Critics

80% liked it

15 critics

PG, 1 hr. 56 min.

Directed by: Clint Eastwood

Release Date: January 1, 1980

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DVD Release Date: August 8, 2000

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Stats: 180 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (180)


  • August 10, 2010
    a modern tale with a western feel, bronco billy tells an incredibly unique story with solid direction and a perfect blend of humor and drama. i REALLY want to know how billy got his rangler out of jail, but its obvious that eastwood left that one question unanswered to build on ... read morethe effectiveness of billy's character. overall a solid film.
  • January 1, 2007
    Clint Eastwood as an anachronistic cowboy in a modern day western that typically pines for the days when men were men etc. etc. Clint's likeable enough, Sondra Locke isn't.
  • October 31, 2006
    Good-natured and likeable, funny and touching of the Bronco Billy Wild West Show.
  • January 22, 2011
    Eastwood made a nice little comic gem which was fairly family friendly and he looked like he was enjoying every moment of being in it. He plays a aging cowboy struggling to keep his travelling wild west show a float. He has a loyal staff full of characters but the bills are not g... read moreetting paid. He gets stuck with a spoiled heiress and may even find love. It is a true tribute to the nostalgia of the wild west.
  • September 7, 2010
    clint eastwood also the director and the starring again and of his film pals like with 1973 "high plains drifter", 1976 "the outlaw josey wales" and 1977 "the gauntlet" reunion cast star. sondra locke's character is the most annoying brat. clint eastwood and his own pals crew cas... read morets into the wild west show. so good movie, excellent casts also and it ok family for watching this film.
  • December 21, 2009
    Nicely done, good chemistry between Clint Eastwood and Sondra Locke. Good story, entertaining and a nice mix of romance, comedy, drama and even a little action. Good cinematography, well produced.
  • May 26, 2007
    loved it ...it was ToaTally Different thatn any other movie I had seen him in, So Fun. I here it is one of his Faves, too
  • March 18, 2007
    With Locke and Eastwood teaming up. it is rather humerus in its wake, a litle whimsical and player over ride. Other than that, this film is i a category all its own....
  • October 26, 2006
    A strange off-beat movie for Eastwood that I saw on cable that is not like any other that he has ever done.

Critic Reviews


Rob Gonsalves
April 9, 2007
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

One of Clint Eastwood's most enjoyable films. Full Review

Nick Schager
May 3, 2005
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness

An affectionate ode to the fading myth of the American West. Full Review

Steve Crum
January 5, 2005
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Entertaining Eastwood, unusual subject matter.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
January 29, 2004
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Bronco Billy depicts a genuine screen hero who incarnates the place that cowboys occupy in our slow moving dreams. Full Review

Scott Weinberg
July 26, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

This movie clearly means a whole lot to Clint Eastwood, and he does a darn good job of showing why.

Ed Gonzalez
July 25, 2001
Ed Gonzalez, Apollo Guide

Eastwood, much like Burt Reynolds' character in Boogie Nights, welcomes everyone into an unconventional but strangely warm environment. Full Review

John J. Puccio
January 1, 2000
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

If you can overlook the warm fuzzies of this film, it can be charming, lighthearted fun.

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
August 30, 2004
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

December 6, 2005
Film Threat

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

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Bronco Billy Trivia


  • When Clint Eastwood starred in a western comedy movie,it was a flop at the boxoffice.Name the movie?  Answer »
  • _______ Elliot Regarding _______ _______ Bathgate Bronco ________ _______ Jack _______ Madison What word fits all the blanks to make movie titles?  Answer »
  • I directed Bronco Billy, Firefox, Perfect World, and The Rookie. Who am I?  Answer »
  • Which Actor/Actress Stared In All Of The Following Films? - Any Which Way You Can - Bronco Billy - Death Game - The Outlaw Josey Wales - The Gauntlet  Answer »

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