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The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

PG  |   |  Biography, Drama, Music  |  3 November 1978 (Finland)
7.2
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Ratings: 7.2/10 from 6,008 users  
Reviews: 54 user | 30 critic

The story of the life and career of the early rock and roll singer, from his meteoric rise to stardom, to his marriage and untimely death.

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Title: The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

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Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 5 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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William Jordan ...
Maria Richwine ...
Amy Johnston ...
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Sol Gittler (as Dick O'Neil)
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Neva Patterson ...
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John F. Goff ...
T.J. (as John Goff)
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Jody Berry ...
Richard Kennedy ...
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Storyline

The musical career of rock and roll pioneer Buddy Holly is chronicled, from the days when "Peggy Sue" was "Cindy Lou", a song about his first girlfriend, to the meteoric run of "That'll Be the Day" up the charts, to his marriage, breakup with the Crickets, reunion with the Crickets, and untimely death. Written by Jason A. Cormier <wildrose@mindspring.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

The music you'll love forever. The man you'll never forget. The movie you must not miss. See more »

Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

3 November 1978 (Finland)  »

Also Known As:

A História de Buddy Holly  »

Box Office

Budget:

$1,200,000 (estimated)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

,  »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The members of the Crickets had already sold their portrayal rights to the producer of a different Buddy Holly movie, so fictitious names had to be used for the Crickets here. Also, for story simplifcation, the three Crickets were reduced to two. See more »

Goofs

When Buddy calls Maria from Clear Lake, Maria answers her bedside phone and the background music from the Clear Lake concert is heard coming from her phone a split second before she actually lifts the receiver. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Buddy Holly: Hey, Riley, we're all plugged in and checked up... yeah, we're ready.
Buddy Holly: [to Ray Bob] Riley wants to hear you at the mike - that's the one right there; say somethin' into that mike.
Ray Bob Simmons: One, two, three, testing... one...
Buddy Holly: [to Riley] How's that sound?
Riley Randolph: All right, that's a good level, Buddy, hold it right there... Yeah, you better get ready, it's about thirty seconds till eight.
See more »

Crazy Credits

Caption shown at end of film: "Buddy Holly died later that night along with JP 'The Big Bopper' Richardson and Ritchie Valens in the crash of a private airplane just outside of Clearlake... and the rest is rock 'n' roll!" See more »


Soundtracks

Everyday
Written by Buddy Holly (uncredited) and Norman Petty (uncredited)
Performed by Gary Busey
Peer International Corporation
See more »

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User Reviews

 
set the standard
13 December 2008 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

This film set the standard for all rock biopics to follow. It accomplished this through the energetic performances of the leads, the steadiness of the camera-work (avoiding 'rock-video' clichés that were actually invented for the Beatles in their first two films), tight editing, and a non-judgmental presentation of the star as human being rather than symbol or god (or demon). Yes, there are minor holes in the plot, and incidental details that are a little unnecessary, and there will always be debate between families of those personally involved as to specifics. But the issue here, as in the much more recent "I walk the Line" or Carpenter's famed TV Elvis biopic of the same era, is whether the meaning of the performer's life, in its time and place, as a catalyst for fans' ideals and appreciation, is made manifest in the performance, and this is clearly the case here. We come away from this movie understanding not only how Buddy Holly became a star, but why. I don't see what else one could want from the film.


11 of 12 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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