The Ride (2010 film)

The Ride is a documentary on professional bull riding.^[1] It was produced by Vice Media and directed by Meredith Danluck, after originally being created for VBS.tv. It premiered at the SXSW Film Festival in 2010.

The Ride
Directed by	Meredith Danluck
Cinematography	Jake Burghart
Music by	The Weight
Production company	VICE Films
Release date	March 18, 2010 (2010-03-18) (SXSW Film Festival)
Running time	91 min
Country	United States
Language	English

Synopsis

With event footage, bull riding, pyrotechnics, and big arena rock and roll, The Ride goes through the lives of professional cowboys^[2] on the Professional Bull Riders circuit. The circuit is a tour of the top 45 bull riders in the world, consisting of roughly 32 stops a year around the US. The winner of the world title in Las Vegas also wins a million dollars.^[3]

Cast

• J.B. Mauney, professional bull rider
• Willy Ropp, Amish bull rider
• Flint Rasmussen, PBR arena entertainer
• Shorty Gorham, professional bullfighter
• Leann Hart, singer/songwriter
• Tom Teague, millionaire bucking bull breeder

Production

Filmed in 2008, it has an original score by Brooklyn band The Weight. Director Meredith Danluck and DP Jake Burghart both previously worked on the VBS.tv showcase entitled Toxic Garbage Island. It was produced by VICE Films^[4] as a presentation of a Jeff Yapp production.^[5]

Release, reception

It premiered in March 2010 at the SXSW Film Festival.^[2] According to a review in the Austinist, "People are the soul of a well-told story and Danluck is enamored with her down-home characters at the expense of a deeper look at the sport, its history and rules. Danluck’s not-quite-novel glimpses into rural southern culture eclipse the beautifully shot ringside action. She’s hooked on the rugged romance of cowboydom, from cattle to Coors, and less transfixed by the intricacies that lead these people into the bull’s eye."^[6]