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The Electric Horseman

The Electric Horseman

He's a washed-up loser. But sometimes losers can be heroes...

19796.12h 2m

Overview

A former champion rodeo rider is reduced to using his saddle skills to promote a breakfast cereal in a gaudy Las Vegas show. When he's asked to perform with a $12 million horse, he discovers it is being doped to remain docile. He flees into the desert astride the beast in an act of defiance. A story-hungry female reporter gives chase.

Directed by Sydney Pollack
Written by Robert Garland
Produced by Ray Stark
Box OfficeBudget: $12.5MRevenue: $61.8M

Top Cast

Robert Redford

Robert Redford

Sonny

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda

Hallie

Valerie Perrine

Valerie Perrine

Charlotta

Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson

Wendell

John Saxon

John Saxon

Hunt Sears

Nicolas Coster

Nicolas Coster

Fitzgerald

Allan Arbus

Allan Arbus

Danny

Wilford Brimley

Wilford Brimley

Farmer

Will Hare

Will Hare

Gus

Basil Hoffman

Basil Hoffman

Toland

Themes & Keywords

rodeohorsedopinglovecowboy

About The Electric Horseman

The Electric Horseman is a drama, romance, comedy, western film released in 1979 exploring themes of rodeo, horse, doping, love, cowboy. Directed by Sydney Pollack, it stars Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, Valerie Perrine. A former champion rodeo rider is reduced to using his saddle skills to promote a breakfast cereal in a gaudy Las Vegas show. When he's asked to perform with a $12 million horse, he discovers it is being doped to remain docile. He flees into the desert astride the beast in an act of defiance. A story-hungry female reporter gives chase.

Movies Similar to The Electric Horseman

Discover titles like The Electric Horseman — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to The Electric Horseman

If you enjoyed The Electric Horseman, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of The Electric Horseman.

The Rider
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8 Seconds
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The Misfits
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While filing for a divorce, beautiful ex-stripper Roslyn Taber ends up meeting aging cowboy-turned-gambler Gay Langland and former World War II aviator Guido Racanelli. The two men instantly become infatuated with Roslyn and, on a whim, the three decide to move into Guido's half-finished desert home together. When grizzled ex-rodeo rider Perce Howland arrives, the unlikely foursome strike up a business capturing wild horses.

The Lusty Men
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Retired rodeo champion Jeff McCloud agrees to mentor novice rodeo contestant Wes Merritt against the wishes of Merritt's wife who fears the dangers of this rough sport.

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Hidalgo
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Hud
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Hud(1963)

Movie7.3/10

Hud Bannon is a ruthless young man who tarnishes everything and everyone he touches. Hud represents the perfect embodiment of alienated youth, out for kicks with no regard for the consequences. There is bitter conflict between the callous Hud and his stern and highly principled father, Homer. Hud's nephew Lon admires Hud's cheating ways, though he soon becomes too aware of Hud's reckless amorality to bear him anymore. In the world of the takers and the taken, Hud is a winner. He's a cheat, but, he explains, "I always say the law was meant to be interpreted in a lenient manner."

Side Effects
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America! Built on a better pill. Karly Hert has spent the last ten years selling drugs. Legally, that is. Karly is a pharmaceutical sales representative. She sells pills to doctors. She makes lots of money. She has a company car. She has a nice fat expense account. But there's a growing pit in Karly's stomach. Something isn't right behind the scenes at big pharma. Based on the director's decade working directly for the industry.