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The Electric Horseman (1979) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Electric Horseman (1979) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
1979 · 121 min · English
JustWatch #8,730 277
Directed by
Sydney Pollack
Starring
Jane Fonda, Robert Redford, Wilford Brimley, Basil Hoffman, John Saxon, Willie Nelson

A celebrated rodeo star, now performing in a commercial cereal show, finds his life unfulfilling. He uncovers a disturbing secret: a valuable horse is being medicated to enhance its performance. Defying his current situation, he escapes into the desert atop the magnificent animal. A tenacious journalist sets out to follow their journey, hoping to expose the story behind their flight.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (2)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Electric Horseman (1979)

Where can you watch The Electric Horseman? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on YouTube TV and YouTube Free: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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2 main characters · contains spoilers

The Electric Horseman Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Electric Horseman (1979), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Sonny Steele

    played by Robert Redford

    Former five-time World Champion and the face of Ranch breakfast cereal, Sonny embodies the archetype of a heroic cowboy. Beneath his dazzling exterior lies a deep concern for Rising Star and a quest for authenticity. His indecision between fame and ethical values propels the storyline as he battles corporate greed and fights for what he believes is right.

    • 🤠 Cowboy
    • 🏆 Champion
    • 🐎 Animal Rights
  • Hallie Martin

    played by Jane Fonda

    A clever television newscaster from New York City, Hallie serves as both a chronicler and catalyst in Sonny's journey. Her fierce determination to pursue the truth about Rising Star's treatment allows her to form a bond with Sonny, enriching both characters' arcs. Hallie's growth throughout the story highlights her courage and commitment to uncovering the truth, showcasing her as a compelling protagonist.

    • 🎤 Journalist
    • 💪 Tenacity
    • 💖 Compassion

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:06

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Setting

Where and When Does The Electric Horseman Take Place?

The setting of The Electric Horseman (1979): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The movie takes place in a contemporary setting, likely during the late 20th century, reflecting the culture and social issues of the time. It captures themes of celebrity culture, corporate ethics, and environmental responsibility as it addresses the treatment of animals in the entertainment industry.

Location

Las Vegas, Nevada, St. George, Utah, Rim Rock Canyon, Cisco Falls, Silver Reef

The film unfolds primarily in Las Vegas, a vibrant city known for its glitzy casinos and nightlife. It also explores the natural beauty of St. George, Utah, and the secluded Rim Rock Canyon, showcasing the contrast between urban excitement and serene wilderness. Cisco Falls and Silver Reef provide a stunning backdrop for the film's climactic moments, highlighting the journey of the characters as they seek freedom and redemption.

  • 🏙️ City
  • 🌄 Canyon
  • 🌳 Wilderness
  • 🚜 Rural

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:06

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3 major themes

The Electric Horseman Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Electric Horseman (1979) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Redemption

    At its core, the movie explores the theme of redemption through Sonny's journey as he seeks to save Rising Star from exploitation. His actions reflect a yearning to correct the wrongs inflicted upon the horse, symbolizing a quest for integrity in a world driven by commercial interests. Throughout the film, Sonny evolves from a corporate pawn to a principled defender of his values.

  • Ethical Treatment

    The ethical treatment of animals is a crucial theme that resonates throughout the narrative. The story raises awareness about the darker side of entertainment, particularly regarding the use of drugs on performance animals. This theme connects Sonny's personal struggles with broader societal concerns about corporate responsibility and animal welfare.

  • Self-Discovery

    Sonny's adventure is also one of self-discovery, as he transitions from a life of superficial glamour to one of authenticity and purpose. His journey leads him to reconnect with his true self and reassess his priorities in life, fostering a deeper bond with Hallie along the way. This theme emphasizes the significance of personal growth and meaningful connections.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:06

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Character & theme questions

The Electric Horseman Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Electric Horseman (1979): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is The Electric Horseman set?

The movie is set primarily in Las Vegas, Nevada, with key scenes also taking place in St. George, Utah. The story explores the contrast between the glitzy urban environment of Las Vegas and the natural beauty of locations like Rim Rock Canyon, Cisco Falls, and Silver Reef, which provide a stunning backdrop for Sonny and Rising Star's journey toward freedom.

  • las vegas
  • st george utah
  • rim rock canyon
  • setting
  • locations
Q2

What time period is The Electric Horseman set in?

The film takes place in a contemporary setting during the late 20th century, reflecting the culture and social issues of that era. It captures the attitudes toward celebrity culture, corporate ethics, and emerging concerns about animal welfare in the entertainment industry.

  • 1970s
  • time period
  • contemporary
  • late 20th century
  • era
Q3

What is the main theme of The Electric Horseman?

The primary theme is redemption, embodied in Sonny Steele's journey to save Rising Star from exploitation. His evolution from a corporate pawn promoting breakfast cereal to a principled defender of his values represents a quest for integrity in a world driven by commercial interests.

  • redemption
  • theme
  • main theme
  • integrity
  • values
Q4

What does The Electric Horseman say about animal treatment?

The movie addresses the ethical treatment of animals by exposing the dark side of entertainment, specifically the use of drugs on performance animals. This theme connects Sonny's personal struggles with broader societal concerns about corporate responsibility and animal welfare in the entertainment industry.

  • animal welfare
  • animal cruelty
  • ethics
  • drugs on horses
  • entertainment industry
Q5

How does The Electric Horseman explore self-discovery?

Sonny's adventure represents a journey of self-discovery as he transitions from a life of superficial glamour to one of authenticity and purpose. His experiences lead him to reconnect with his true self, reassess his priorities, and foster a deeper bond with Hallie along the way.

  • self discovery
  • personal growth
  • authenticity
  • identity
  • journey
Q6

Who is Sonny Steele in The Electric Horseman?

Sonny Steele is a former five-time World Champion rodeo star who has become the face of Ranch breakfast cereal. Beneath his dazzling celebrity exterior lies deep concern for animals and a quest for authenticity. He represents the archetype of a heroic cowboy torn between fame and ethical values.

  • sonny steele
  • rodeo star
  • champion
  • cowboy
  • character
Q7

Who is Hallie Martin in The Electric Horseman?

Hallie Martin is a clever television newscaster from New York City who serves as both a chronicler and catalyst in Sonny's journey. Her fierce determination to pursue the truth about Rising Star's treatment allows her to form a meaningful bond with Sonny, and her character showcases courage and commitment to uncovering the truth.

  • hallie martin
  • journalist
  • newscaster
  • reporter
  • character
Q8

Who plays Sonny Steele in The Electric Horseman?

Robert Redford plays Sonny Steele, the former rodeo champion turned cereal commercial star. Redford embodies the heroic cowboy archetype, bringing depth to a character torn between corporate fame and his moral values.

  • robert redford
  • cast
  • actor
  • lead role
Q9

Who plays Hallie Martin in The Electric Horseman?

Jane Fonda plays Hallie Martin, the tenacious television newscaster from New York City who follows Sonny and Rising Star's journey to expose the story. Fonda portrays a determined journalist whose pursuit of truth drives much of the film's narrative.

  • jane fonda
  • cast
  • actress
  • lead role
Q10

What is Rising Star in The Electric Horseman?

Rising Star is the valuable horse that Sonny discovers is being medicated to enhance its performance. This horse becomes the catalyst for Sonny's moral awakening and his decision to defy his corporate situation. The horse symbolizes both vulnerability and the quest for freedom that defines the film's themes.

  • rising star
  • horse
  • animal
  • main animal
Q11

How does the movie use the contrast between Las Vegas and the desert?

The film uses the contrast between Las Vegas's glitzy, artificial world of casinos and nightlife against the natural beauty of Utah's wilderness to highlight Sonny and Rising Star's journey from corporate exploitation toward freedom and authenticity. The desert represents liberation, while Las Vegas symbolizes the superficial glamour Sonny is escaping.

  • las vegas
  • desert
  • wilderness
  • contrast
  • setting symbolism
Q12

What is the tone and emotional message of The Electric Horseman?

The film has a hopeful tone because despite initial corporate oppression and animal abuse, the story culminates in a successful, happy ending. The emotional weight is medium, balancing serious themes of corporate exploitation and animal cruelty with an optimistic journey and a gradual romance between Sonny and Hallie.

  • tone
  • emotional message
  • hope
  • happy ending
  • mood

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Electric Horseman, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Electric Horseman tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Redemptive Journeys Like in The Electric Horseman

Characters seeking personal redemption on a hopeful, cross-country adventure. Find movies like The Electric Horseman where characters find redemption and freedom on the open road. These films feature scenic adventures, hopeful tones, and stories of individuals reclaiming their integrity against a cynical world.

  • hopeful
  • free-spirited
  • principled
  • redemptive
  • adventurous
  • reflective
  • Tone: hopeful, reflective
  • Pacing: steady, journey-focused
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These stories typically follow a character escaping a corrupt or unfulfilling system, often corporate or urban. Their flight into a vast landscape—deserts, mountains, plains—forces a confrontation with their true self. The journey is both literal and metaphorical, leading to a principled stand and a hopeful resolution.

Why they belong together: They share a steady pacing that allows for character reflection, a dominant hopeful tone despite serious themes, and a focus on the transformative power of nature and solitude. The emotional journey from cynicism to authenticity is central.

Movies with Adversarial Duos Like The Electric Horseman

An unlikely pair teams up to expose corruption and escape corporate pursuers. If you liked the dynamic between Sonny and Hallie in The Electric Horseman, explore these movies about unlikely pairs defying the system. These stories combine a chase narrative, corporate critique, and a relationship that grows from conflict into camaraderie.

  • rebellious
  • defiant
  • adversarial
  • principled
  • journalistic
  • chase
  • Tone: hopeful, defiant
  • Pacing: steady, pursuit-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative is a chase, driven by a principled act of defiance. A journalist or outsider often pursues the fugitive protagonist, their relationship evolving from suspicion to alliance. The central conflict is not just escape, but exposing the truth, with the duo's bond strengthening under pressure.

Why they belong together: They are grouped by the specific character dynamic of a principled rebel and a tenacious outsider, a steady-paced chase structure, and themes of integrity versus corporate greed. The mix of rebellion, pursuit, and budding respect creates a distinct, engaging vibe.

Every angle

The Electric Horseman (1979) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Electric Horseman in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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