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John Travolta, Debra Winger, Scott Glenn, Madolyn Smith Osborne, Barry Corbin ... see more see more... , Brooke Alderson , Bonnie Raitt , Cooper Huckabee , James Gammon , Mickey Gilley , Johnny Lee , Charlie Daniels , Sheryl Briedel , Steve Chambers , Keith Clemons , Gator Conley , Ed Geldart , Leah Geldart , Jim Gough , James N. Harrell , Sean Lawler , Betty Murphy , Howard Norman , David Ogle , Ann Travolta , Jerry Hall , Anson Downes , Lucky Mosley , Robert Bush , Ellen March , Christopher Saylors

"You a real cowboy?" John Travolta traded disco for a mechanical bull in this adaptation by James Bridges and Aaron Latham of Latham's article on Western nightlife. Texas country boy Bud (Travolta) mo... read more read more...ves to Houston to work on an oil rig with his Uncle Bob (Barry Corbin), and he swiftly becomes indoctrinated in the nighttime rituals of drinking, dancing, and showing off cowboy duds at Gilley's, the enormous local honkytonk. There he meets and marries the sassy Sissy (Debra Winger), but the honeymoon quickly ends when Sissy starts spending too much time learning the men-only skill of mechanical bull-riding from ex-con Wes (Scott Glenn); Bud throws her out and hooks up with slumming Pam (Madolyn Smith). Under the paternal tutelage of Uncle Bob, Bud then learns not only how to master the bull but also what it takes to be a real man rather than just an ersatz cowboy. With a story, cast, and setting that were essentially Saturday Night Fever country-style, Urban Cowboy was poised to be a summer 1980 hit. Although its box office did not live up to Fever's legacy, Urban Cowboy did spawn a soundtrack album of country-and-western hits and helped spur a Western fashion vogue; people from all regions began sporting cowboy boots, and mechanical bulls started replacing passé disco floors. The first of Travolta's many comebacks, Urban Cowboy provided the star with a more "manly" image after his Moment by Moment (1978) fiasco, but it was neophyte co-star Winger who got even better notices. With its Western milieu and retro view of relationships, Urban Cowboy stands as a sign of the nascent Reagan era, as '70s icon Travolta learned bull-riding himself and replaced his white polyester with a black Stetson. ~ Lucia Bozzola, Rovi

Flixster Users

77% liked it

31,603 ratings

Critics

77% liked it

13 critics

PG, 2 hr. 15 min.

Directed by: James Bridges

Release Date: June 6, 1980

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DVD Release Date: October 8, 2002

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Stats: 1,301 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,301)

  • stormyweather980
    October 15, 2009
    stormyweather980
    A pleasant surprise. I'd read that this was one of the most popular movies from my birth year, so I watched it and immediately said it was one of the best movies I'd ever seen.
  • flixsterman
    January 6, 2009
    flixsterman
    Another box office hit that has not withstood the ravages of time. What was once hip now seems dated and cliche'.
  • movieguru12
    August 9, 2008
    movieguru12
    Very good John Travolta movie. I LOVED IT!!!
  • dreamfaeries
    November 3, 2006
    dreamfaeries
    It was alright.
  • binky013
    April 25, 2006
    binky013
    Winger, like Sean Young, seems to have a negative rep in Hollywood. I hope that isn't true, and if it is, I wish they would get beyond whatever it is that makes them act in whatever way it is that upsets folks around them so much. They both deserve exposure to parts that would ... read morealllow them to shine.



    All that being said, I have another thing that makes me very curious, flixsters. Is there any movie where Travolta doesn't dance? Maybe Blowout? Have to watch that again. Dancing is kind of like his signature, right? And good acting, to be sure.

    Travolta is another one of those actors who, for me, can do no wrong--no matter how bad the movie overall. If he moves into directing, and if he's as good at it as Eastwood, then he'd move into my top drawer of all-around talented people. This movie is a must-see for any Travolta fan. Not to mention a country music soundtrack for the ages.
  • Godless
    March 9, 2006
    Godless
    I want to give him a hug.
  • EbertsLittleApprentice
    November 23, 2009
    EbertsLittleApprentice
    The title explains easily, why this film is pretty bad.
  • irisheyes686
    May 17, 2009
    irisheyes686
    I loved this movie. Great story, music, and acting. Travolta is so hot!
  • jonnycrumley
    August 28, 2008
    jonnycrumley
    Good early performance by Travolta. He trades the disco for a good old fashioned Honkey tonk bar. Fans of Travolta won't be disappointed.
  • ileo
    December 26, 2007
    ileo
    Personal favorite. A movie from my childhood.

View All Urban Cowboy Reviews

Critic Reviews

Lori Hoffman
March 16, 2007
Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly

Travolta & Winger sizzle

Carol Cling
April 7, 2006
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Pop-culture time capsule dominated by Winger's breakthrough performance.

Emanuel Levy
July 6, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

At their prime, John Travolta and Debra Winger make for a very sexy married couple in this James Bridges' musical drama, which launched the country and Western fad in music and film. Full Review

Clint Morris
March 11, 2005
Clint Morris, Moviehole

A versatile, intriguing Travolta vehicle

Jake Euker
July 4, 2004
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)

Ultimately it's enjoyable Hollywood stuff.

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

Urban Cowboy zeroes in the the desperate night life of frustrated individuals who find neither adventure nor fulfillment in their daytime existences. Full Review

Scott Weinberg
August 16, 2003
Scott Weinberg, Apollo Guide

Movies that just create silly fads are destined to linger long after their gimmicks have become jokes. Full Review

Bob Bloom
January 19, 2003
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

Flashy and silly; tries to be a country-Western "Saturday Night Fever," but misses the mark.

James Sanford
July 29, 2002
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

"aside from Winger, this soap opera is utterly dismal"

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Bud Davis: Shit, McDonald's again?
    • Wes: Pick that shit up!
    • Aunt Corene: Damn Bud, Ya'll live like pigs!
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Urban Cowboy Trivia

  • Which actor was the protagonist of a series of movies like Grease, and Urban Cowboy?  Answer »
  • I have been in Broken Arrow, Urban Cowboy, and the Boy in the Plastic Bubble. Who am I?  Answer »
  • What movie did Mathew Broderick not appear in ?  Answer »
  • John Travolta had a mechanical bull put in his house and he became so good he didn't have to use a stunt double in Urban Cowboy ?   Answer »
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