Clint Eastwood Collection - Bronco Billy [DVD]

Bronco Billy is Clint Eastwood’s most personal film, made when he and his co star Sondra Locke were an item, and is a warm comedy romance in which he directs and stars as the title character. It’s also one of my favourite Eastwood films.It’s another example of that popular film plot, the odd couple, in this case a spoilt heiress and the proprietor of a Wild West circus. Their paths cross when her new husband, who she has only married to ensure her legacy from her father’s will, departs with their rented limousine and all their luggage This leaves her stranded in the small town where Billy’s show is about to perform. With no other choice she has to join the show and act as Billy’s assistant, in his horse riding and knife throwing act, after previous candidates have failed dismally.Their initial prickly relationship gradually warms when the circus gives a free show at a children’s home run by nuns. Meanwhile her errant husband is arrested and charged with her murder and is persuaded by her stepmother and sleazy lawyer to plead guilty but insane. As in all the best fairy tales the bad guys are defeated, and good triumphs.Amongst the rest of the cast the only well-known face is Scatman Crothers as the circus ringmaster. Geoffrey Lewis as the husband tends to exaggerate but the rest of the cast are much more convincing. Most American films tend to be set in the East or West coasts so it is a pleasant change to see a film set in the prairies of the Mid West.

This is a movie you must have seen to get the nostalgia

I loved this film when I was a little boy and love it 40 years later. Great family film, no gratuitous sex or violence or profanity. From a better time !

I really wasn't sure at first what this film was going to be - a comedy, a Western, a drama? It's a tiny bit of all of those, but forgetting the precise genre for a moment, it's basically an all-round great family film with a class performance from Mr Eastwood. The rest of the cast are memorable too - watch out for Scatman Crothers just being fantastic as usual!For those who like Clint Eastwood in a softer role this is just great.

Good

One of only two films (the other is 'The Beguiled') where Clint dies. Plays an ill guitarist who wants to play the 'Grand Ole Opry'. A fine performance.

Bought for my son he loves it

Bought to replace vhs tape of the same. Not popular with the critics on its release, but I thought he made it, slightly tongue-in-cheek, which I believe gave the film its own individual charm.