What a waste of my time!!!

Too many fans seem to be blown away

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

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.

Meandering but enjoyable comedy/drama of a rodeo rider who is coming to the end of his wandering days.The narrative seemingly rambles more than necessary but at the end of the film it makes sense since the protagonist has lived his life drifting from one place to another never answering for the consequences of his actions.James Coburn is well cast in the lead his craggy features suiting a hard living cowboy and his laconic style a natural fit. He is well supported by two performers who were often better than the projects they found themselves in. Chill Wills gives his good old boy sidekick role a lot of shading that makes the character more than was intended. Lois Nettleton, a fine actress whose quiet style was often unappreciated, adds her easy warm presence as Coburn's patient wife. A bit surprising to see Anne Archer just starting out and cast as a Native American. She's fine but it's jarring to see her miscast considering her future fame and knowledge of her very Causian complexion.Similar in spirit to Nicholas Ray's superior The Lusty Men and Sam Peckinpah's Junior Bonner, this a good film with a very effective ending.

I just watched The Honkers this afternoon and was most impressed. James Coburn is great to watch as a hard living rodeo champ who has returned to his hometown and long suffering family for a bull riding competition. Slim Pickins plays Coburn's best friend and guardian angel as a rodeo clown who always has his back. The direction by the late Steve Ihnat is outstanding and the filmography is great. I enjoyed the bull riding scenes which must have been from real competitions. This film depicts a man's decline and disrespect of his own life, yet somehow Coburn's suburb acting causes the viewer to still have sympathy for his character. All the supporting actors also do a fine job. This film shows the price that is paid from daily hard drinking, fighting, breaking promises and sleeping around...and Coburn shows this beautifully. For great scenes of 1970s southern hard living with great James Coburn acting you need to see this picture.

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.