Cowboy UP: Inside the Extreme World of Bull Riding

Review of a documentary film that covers the sport of professional bull riding. Click the Vendors Site to purchase the DVD!

Important Information:

COWBOY UP: Inside the Extreme World of Bull Riding
Narrated by Luke Perry.
Directed and Produced by David Wittkower. Featuring: Bull Riders Jerome Davis, Tuff Hedeman, Cody Lambert, Lane Frost's family, and many more.
Includes Never Before Seen Footage.
Not Rated but Parental Guidance is suggested.
95 Minutes.
2003 Lighthouse Productions.

Synopsis:

Filmmaker David Wittkower takes his viewers on an unprecedented look behind the scenes of professional bull riding. He delves into what it really means to 'cowboy up' a catch all phrase that is often used (even by the 2003 Boston Red Sox) but seldom understood.

Through the use of intimate interviews with legendary bull riders, bullfighters, and their families, Wittkower explores with depth and understanding what this sport means to these men and women. At the same time he sheds light on the sport and dispels some popular myths that surround these larger-than-life characters. The film is at times extremely graphic and profoundly sad, but at all times enjoyable, educational and powerful.

Review:

I've seen plenty of films about rodeo, crash tapes, documentaries, how-to's, and everything beyond and between. Rarely am I surprised or moved by them, having been inside the arena myself as a bareback rider and watching rarely matches doing.

But this film not only moved me but even choked me up a little as the film lead up to tell the stories of the untimely deaths of Brent Thurman and Lane Frost. I can fully understand why both the PBR and PRCA endorsed it. The behind the scenes access this film was granted is exceptional and the range of top names that sat down to speak about their passion is impressive in itself. The best stories are usually told by the people who've lived them and never in this film does the director intrude on that story being told.

That said, the director does a great...no, excellent job of capturing what it means to 'cowboy up.' He also manages, what few have documented before, to dispel a few myths and show bull riding and by proxy rodeo in it's true light.

You can tell people that bull riders and cowboys are the last "true" athletes on the planet, but this film shows it in all its gory and dangerous detail. This film is recommended for all who love bull riding, and the free, competitive spirt.

Plusses:

Great coverage, cinematography, and narrative style.

Does a good job explaining the sport and how it works.

Shows unprecedented access to those involved in the sport.

The myths that all professional bull riders are rich, that they're all crazy, or that the sport is just a weird throwback to days past are shattered.

Bull riders tell in their own words what drives them to compete against all odds in this sport.

Great celebrity involvement. Hats off to Luke Perry for standing up for the sport despite the misgivings his movie 8 Seconds caused in the rodeo community.

Continue on to finish the review...