The 1994 contemporary Western biographical drama film, 8 Seconds, is definitely one of the most loved films about bull riding in movie history. It does a great job of telling the amazing true story of Lane Frost – one of the youngest national champions in rodeo history.
It represented key moments from his life and career that will never be forgotten by anyone who’s seen the movie. Some of those scenes will forever be carved on our collective memory – here are five of them.
Lane Frost Conquering The Red Rock
Red Rock was “the bull no man could ride.” In fact, he had not been ridden in more than 300 attempts.
In the movie, viewers were shown Frost’s real-life series against Red Rock, and the scene where he becomes the first rider to conquer the unrideable bucking bull was totally one of the highlights. Frost and Red Rock came out for that 8-second ride.
The Fun Always Begins With Line Dancing
One of the movie’s most spirited and joyful scenes that you shouldn’t dare skip happened during Frost and Kellie Kay’s wedding, where the groom and his best friend Tuff Hedeman broke into an impromptu line dance-off that got the wedding guests going wild.
What made the dance showdown a standout is that it was set to Linda Ronstadt‘s 1975 hit “When Will I Be Loved?” performed by Vince Gill and Karla Bonoff. It’s such a fan-favorite moment that many couples still recreate the scene at their weddings even to this day.
The Poem, Cowboy Is His Name
Flying on a small plane on their way to a rodeo, Frost and Hedeman listened to their friend Cody Lambert in silence, as he recited a remarkably touching poem called “Cowboy Is His Name.”
The poem ended with, “It’s guts and love and glory, one mortal’s chance at fame. His legacy is rodeo, and Cowboy is his name” – and it’s perhaps the film’s most iconic line.
Tuff Hedeman Paying Tribute To His Best Friend Lane Frost
Sadly, Frost died in a tragic rodeo accident when the bull he was riding – named “Taking Care Of Business” – hooked him in the back after dismounting. This broke several of his ribs and resulted in internal injuries that almost instantly led to Frost’s death.
In the movie’s final scene, Tuff Hedeman rode the same bull that killed Frost. He mounted his bull during the National Finals Rodeo and went on for the ride of his life. When the 8-second bell rang, he held it for an additional eight seconds to pay tribute to his late friend.
When he landed in the dirt, he waved to the crowd and to Frost’s wife, Kellie Kay – who couldn’t help but shed a tear.
The Incredible Country Songs
If you’re a fan of good ole country music, you’ll surely dig the soundtrack of 8 Seconds – which includes hits of Martina McBride & the Ride, David Lee Murphy, Reba McEntire, and Brooks and Dunn. After all, you can never have one great rodeo movie without some fantastic country songs!
Without a doubt, Lane Frost’s legacy lives on with this biopic. How about you? What’s your favorite scene?