This movie suffers from a few inaccuracies, but those inaccuracies help move this film along at a pace that non-rodeo people can enjoy. The acting is fine, and that's really Luke Perry on some of those bulls. You've got to give the guy a nod for that.

The soundtrack is also very influential on the look and feel of this movie. "Once In Awhile" by Billy Dean is the pinnacle performance in this movie, and if you're eyes don't well up when you hear it, you've got no heart inside.

This is a decent family movie, although some younger kids probably shouldn't be exposed to some of the language and the adultery. It should be noted, however, that these things are key in making this a real story.

This is a solid movie about a real man, full of heart and fault, yet still a hero to us all.

21 of 22 found the following review helpful:

Great movie about a person that will be remembered in rodeo.  Feb 12, 2000
By Jason Strebin
Lane Frost, was a bullrider that loved what he did day in and day out and that was RODEO. He had to overcome many different problems throughout his short career. In this movie it isn't all about one man who rode bulls for a living. 8 Seconds shows how much rodeo is to all of the Cowboys in rodeo. This movie showed me that Lane Frost was a man that had his ups and his downs throughout his short career as a pro bull rider. It showed me that rodeo is a way of life that is so unpredictable that you never know when your last ride is going to be and it showed me that there is more to rodeo than just getting on a horse, bull, or bronc. Rodeo is a way of life and it can bring people together and build those close relationships that you never want to lose and it can also take away the ones you love. I would have to say this is one of my most favorite movie because it showed me that you need to hang on to the things that last and never ever give up no matter what the coarse looks like ahead of you.

14 of 15 found the following review helpful:

VIEW OF A CULTURE  May 24, 2000
By no longer a customer
No, this isn't standard Hollywood-esque fare; No, this isn't a penetrating psycho-analysis of one man's life or of an extreme sport; No, this isn't even great film-making. But so what. One thing this film does do is to reveal a North American Western culture tenaciously clinging to life in a world that constantly mocks and denigrates it. Lane Frost was, (and still is), one of the best representatives of this culture. This was the world I grew up in here in South Texas, where honesty and a person's word meant something; where ideas of family and faith were REAL and not just political agendas for republicans and fundamentalist fanatics. Yes, there is a dark side to this culture, (I also grew up surrounded by racism and bigotry and religious nonsense), but ALL human societies have their positives and negatives. I for one have grown tired of seeing Texans and other people of the West constantly depicted in film and literature as know-nothing yokels. 8 SECONDS is a welcome reprieve from the usual way westerners are treated, along with TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL and TENDER MERCIES. And Lane Frost certainly deserves the tribute this movie gives him. How long the culture of the North American West will be able to survive the relentless cynical New York-L.A.-Perrier drinking-Vegan-Politically Correct but Intellectually Bankrupt Weltanschaung Machine is hard to say. But for an hour or two it was nice to relax and remember what is good about that culture and to bask in the glow of one our culture's greatest heroes.

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:

Heart breaking story of Lane Frost  Aug 15, 1997

I am a 16 year old female who is so touched by the story of the BEST BULL RIDER, Lane Frost. This story touched my heart so much, I had tears in my eyes. I have watched it so many times and still cry. Lane is the bravest man I know. He has so much courage and will always be in my heart. Luke Perry did a great job in the movie, he deserves alot of credit. To Lane Frost's family, all my prayers to you, you were the luckiest family to have Lane be your son. Best of Luck!! I love you! Love Angela D. from Arkansas END

5 of 5 found the following review helpful:

The story of a TRUE Champion  Apr 23, 2003
By JT Thompson
I got the chance to meet Lane at the Pendleton (Oregon) Roundup the year before he was killed at Cheyenne. I really don't think they could have gotten anyone better to portray him. I saw the movie in the theater probably 10 times , got the book , and own the movie now. My oldest son was named after Lane. I rodeod professionally from 1994 up to 2000 (started out as a bullrider , and then switched over to a Bullfighter), and I'm here to say , I don't know of one single person that that movie hasn't affected in one way or another. Lane touched alot of people's lives , both in and out of the arena. He had a way with kids , and was an ambassador to the sport. This story reaches out and lets you know if you are human or not. If it touches you in a certain way , you'll know. People still make quotes from the movie to this day , and everyone I know that has seen it , has either watched it more than 4 or 5 times , or just bought it. If you haven't seen it. Watch it. If you haven't read the book , read it. Believe me , you will NOT be dissapointed. And ALWAYS , hold on to the things that last.

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