Umair Gaines
The Electric Horseman, a 1979 American Western comedy-drama film, stars Robert Redford as Sonny Steele, a former championship rodeo rider who becomes a spokesperson for a cereal company. The film features a $12 million electric-lit horse, named Rising Star, which is central to the plot. After discovering that the horse has been abused, Sonny decides to abscond with Rising Star and travel cross-country to release him in a remote canyon. The horse in the film was played by a 5-year-old bay thoroughbred named Let's Merge, and Robert Redford even bought the horse after production and owned him for 18 years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the horse | Rising Star |
| Name of the horse's owner | Sonny Steele |
| Horse breed | Thoroughbred racehorse |
| Horse's value | $12 million |
| Horse's appearance | Bay |
| Horse's age | 5 years old |
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![Electric Horseman [DVD] [1979] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5199tGG8hIL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
The horse's name was Rising Star
The 1979 American Western comedy-drama film "The Electric Horseman" stars Robert Redford as Sonny Steele, a former rodeo champion. In the film, Sonny discovers that the $12 million racehorse he is supposed to ride at a Las Vegas promotional event has been drugged and injured. Identifying with the horse's plight, Sonny absconds with the horse, whose name is Rising Star, and travels cross-country to release him in a remote canyon where wild horses roam.
Rising Star is a $12 million champion thoroughbred racehorse. Before his promotional appearance in Las Vegas, Sonny discovers that Rising Star has been drugged and injured. Sonny decides to steal Rising Star and ride into the desert, accompanied by a feisty reporter, Hallie Martin (played by Jane Fonda). Hallie is a television reporter who is eager to be the first to break the Rising Star story. She locates Sonny and follows him on his unusual quest through the countryside.
Rising Star was played by a 5-year-old bay thoroughbred called "Let's Merge" after a 6-month equine talent search. Robert Redford, who played Sonny Steele, bought the horse after production was complete and owned him for 18 years until the horse passed away. Redford also did all of his own riding stunts in the film.
"The Electric Horseman" was directed by Sydney Pollack and was the fifth film in which he directed Redford. The film co-starred long-time country and western singer Willie Nelson, who played the role of Wendell Hickson.
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The horse was a $12 million champion thoroughbred racehorse
The 1979 American Western comedy-drama film "The Electric Horseman" stars Robert Redford as a former rodeo champion, Sonny Steele, who is hired by a cereal company as its spokesperson. The $12 million champion thoroughbred racehorse in the film is named Rising Star. Sonny discovers that Rising Star has been abused, drugged, and injured, so he decides to abscond with the horse and travel cross-country to release him in a remote canyon where wild horses roam.
The film was directed by Sydney Pollack and co-stars Jane Fonda, who plays a television reporter named Hallie Martin. It also features the debut acting performance of country singer Willie Nelson as Wendell Hickson. The film's soundtrack, composed by Dave Grusin, includes five songs performed by Nelson, including "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" and "Midnight Rider."
"The Electric Horseman" was primarily shot in Nevada and Utah, with Las Vegas and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area serving as prominent locations. The film's budget escalated to $12.5 million, but it was a box-office success, grossing nearly $62 million domestically. It is known for its themes of corporate greed, moral values, respect for animals, and the phoniness of commercialism.
The horse in the film, Rising Star, was played by a 5-year-old bay thoroughbred named Let's Merge, chosen after a 6-month equine talent search. Robert Redford, who performed his own riding stunts in the film, purchased the horse after production and owned him for 18 years.
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Sonny Steele identifies with the horse's plight
In the 1979 American Western comedy-drama film "The Electric Horseman", Sonny Steele, played by Robert Redford, is a former championship rodeo rider who has sold out to a business conglomerate. Steele is hired by a cereal company to become its spokesperson and is given a $12 million electric-lit horse named Rising Star to promote it in Las Vegas. However, Steele discovers that the horse has been abused, drugged, and injured.
Steele identifies with the horse's plight and, disillusioned with his own life, decides to abscond with Rising Star. He travels cross-country to release the horse in a remote canyon where herds of wild horses roam. Along the way, he is accompanied by a television reporter, Hallie Martin (Jane Fonda), who is eager to break the story. The pair develop a romance as they avoid the pursuing authorities.
Steele's identification with the horse's plight can be seen as a reflection of his own feelings of being used and abused by the corporation he works for. By rescuing the horse and setting it free, he is also symbolically freeing himself from the constraints and disillusionment of his life. This theme of corporate greed and the exploitation of nature and animals is a central message of the film.
The film also explores the phoniness of commercialism and the preservation of wild lands. Steele's journey with the horse serves as a critique of the corporate world and a celebration of the untamed spirit of the West. Through his connection with Rising Star, Steele is able to rediscover his own sense of freedom and purpose, highlighting the power of empathy and the importance of standing up for what is right.
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$209.73
The horse was played by a 5-year-old bay thoroughbred
The 1979 American Western comedy-drama film "The Electric Horseman" features a $12 million racehorse, which is ridden by the film's lead character, Sonny Steele, played by Robert Redford. The horse, named Rising Star, was played by a 5-year-old bay thoroughbred called Let's Merge. The horse was discovered after a 6-month equine talent search, and Robert Redford bought the horse after production ended, owning it for 18 years.
In the film, Sonny Steele is a former championship rodeo rider who has sold out to a business conglomerate and is now reduced to making public appearances to sell a brand of breakfast cereal. In a Las Vegas promotional appearance, he is set to ride the $12 million champion thoroughbred racehorse, Rising Star. However, he discovers that the horse has been drugged and injured, and decides to abscond with Rising Star, travelling cross-country to release the horse in a remote canyon where wild horses roam.
The film also stars Jane Fonda as Hallie Martin, a television reporter who follows Sonny on his quest. "The Electric Horseman" marks the first lead role for Robert Redford after a 3-year hiatus, and his return to the big screen was much publicised. The film was directed by Sydney Pollack, and it explores themes such as corporate greed, the preservation of wild lands, respect for animals, and the phoniness of commercialism.
Let's Merge, the horse that played Rising Star, was an integral part of the film's storyline and added to the visual appeal of the production. The choice of a bay thoroughbred with a talented equine performance helped to enhance the impact of the film's themes and the character's journey. The horse's performance in the film, along with its relationship with Robert Redford's character, contributed to the overall success and memorability of "The Electric Horseman".
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Robert Redford did all of his own riding stunts
The Electric Horseman is a 1979 American Western comedy-drama film starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda. The film is about a former rodeo champion, Sonny Steele, who is hired by a cereal company to become its spokesperson. Sonny, a five-time national champion rodeo cowboy, has retired from competition and signed on as the spokesman for a cereal named Ranch Breakfast. However, he is often drunk and falls off his horse during a half-time show. During rehearsals for a variety show at Caesars Palace, Sonny notices that Rising Star, the champion racehorse he is set to ride on stage, has been drugged with tranquilizers. He confronts AMPCO's chairman, Hunt Sears, about the stallion's exploitation, but is reminded of his contract. Despite this, Sonny rides the horse out of the casino and out of town, leading AMPCO executives to desperately try to locate him before the press does.
Robert Redford, who played Sonny Steele in the film, is known for his natural acting style and clear diction in The Electric Horseman. Interestingly, it has been noted that he performed his own riding stunts for the film. This is evident in a particular scene where Redford is saddling up his horse while delivering a lengthy dialogue. While managing the various props attached to the saddle, he accidentally knocks over a hot coffee pot, spilling coffee down the back of the horse. This unscripted moment showcases Redford's multitasking abilities and his commitment to performing his own stunts.
The Electric Horseman marked the fifth collaboration between director Sydney Pollack and Robert Redford. Their previous films together include "This Property Is Condemned" (1966), "Jeremiah Johnson" (1972), "The Way We Were" (1973), and "Three Days of the Condor" (1975). Pollack and Redford would go on to work together on two more films: "Out of Africa" (1985) and "Havana" (1990).
In addition to his acting, Robert Redford is also known for his love of horses and riding. This is evident both on and off-screen, as he is often photographed with horses and embraces the cowboy lifestyle in films like The Electric Horseman. His passion for riding likely contributed to his ability to perform his own stunts in the film, showcasing his versatility as an actor and his dedication to bringing authenticity to his character.
Overall, Robert Redford's decision to perform his own riding stunts in The Electric Horseman adds a layer of realism to the film. His natural acting style and horseback riding skills contributed to the success of the film, and his collaboration with director Sydney Pollack highlights their mutual trust and understanding.
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Frequently asked questions
The horse in the film is called Rising Star.
Rising Star is played by a 5-year-old bay thoroughbred called Let's Merge.
Rising Star is ridden by Robert Redford, who plays Sonny Steele, a former rodeo champion.
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