The Honkers

James Coburn is a devilish, lady-loving rodeo-circuit rider down New Mexico way; Anne Archer is a smitten fan who bats her eyes at him; Lois Nettleton plays his wife who puts up with all his comings and goings. The early 1970s were rife with these kind of cowboy character pieces, and all of them have the same scenes: the unloading of the horses at sunrise, the sizing up of the competition, the aged cowpoke sidekick chiming in with his two cents (here it's Slim Pickens), the parade down Main Street and, that old standby, the protagonist getting caught with another man's woman (and escaping with his pants down). Co-written by Steve Ihnat, who also directed, and Stephen Lodge, the lackadaisical film probably made an inoffensive co-feature at drive-in theaters but, on its own terms, the clichéd results are pretty thin. Coburn is energetic and amiable--he's always good when cast as the wily scalawag--but the movie depressingly stacks the deck against him. The western milieu in general doesn't feel like a natural fit for Coburn, who looks like he might be more at home sitting on the Riviera plotting someone's demise. ** from ****

I saw the Honkers in the early 70s and loved it and remembered it. I also saw both JW.COOP & JUNIOR BONNER - both excellent. The reason I had to catch Honkers was that Mr.Inhat deeply impressed me in Madigan as Barney - an enduring psycho performance - which I can still quote verbatum. I also made a note of him in Hour of The Gun. I felt grim when he died (just after the Cannes screening?) But rest assured he, and the film, are recalled fondly. .

This is one of those movies that was never publicized and therefore was missed when it originally played in the theaters.

I came across it while switching TV channels and was immediately engrossed in this story of an aging rodeo bum whose recklessness and lack of responsibility hurt everyone around him. I've often wanted to see the movie again but couldn't even remember its name, and have never seen it in the rental stores.

James Coburn and Slim Pickens were excellent in their roles, and the rodeo footage was first rate. While being an action movie and having a western setting and theme it could be enjoyed by anyone regardless of their taste in films.

Ebert was needlessly harsh in reference to Coburn's scene hogging, and gave the film 2 stars. He loved a few performances, and Picken's certainly played well the loyal "mascot" - a perfect term for his character. The performances are fine - and the rodeo scenes are well done and executed. Yes there are a few inserted pointless plot devices but overall, I think it a terribly underrated film. Coburn plays the "rake" well enough, and I found his character more sympathetic than most. Most of his downfall is attributable to making a stand for the sake of his wife's "honor". knowing full well he is not good enough for her. Another reason to watch would be Anne Archer. in what was her first role. She isn't much of an Indian of course, despite her head band (nice try) but oh so lovely in a De Tomaso Pantera nonetheless.

James Coburn stars in and dominates The Honkers the story of a veteran rodeo cowboy who really ought to settle down with his wife Lois Nettleton and son Teddy Eccles. But Coburn likes the life too much especially the partying and those rodeo bunnies. Something about those bowlegged cowboys gets to them I guess.

So Coburn makes one of his many pit stops at his home and he and Nettleton have their usual argument about that final divorce decree he won' t sign so she can marry steady and reliable Richard Anderson who has a used car dealership. But there's a nearby rodeo so he and best friend Slim Pickens who is a rodeo clown are off to it.

The Honkers takes an honored place beside such rodeo films as The Lusty Men and Junior Bonner. Steve Ihnat really captures the ambiance and feel of the rodeo as an American institution.

Before he went into films Slim Pickens was a rodeo clown and this is the only film he actually gets to play one. Like his buddy Coburn this is the life he knows though he's not the party animal that Coburn is. I guess someone has to be the designated driver and it seems to have fallen to Slim to be that for Coburn in all situations. Being a clown requires the same kind of reflexes it does when riding a bull or a bucking horse. Slim too has slowed up a might.

Anne Archer makes her film debut as a rodeo bunny whose father is a big oil millionaire. As a kind of Indian rodeo hippie, Archer makes a fine debut in The Honkers.

I did like the ending which was most vague and you have to decide for yourself what the future holds for Coburn. This one is really worth checking out.