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Poster for The Buddy Holly Story

The Buddy Holly Story

Seen it?

1978 | 114 min | Drama, Music

Friday Night Flickearly rating

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won an Oscar, it made about 12 times its budget and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Elvis or Almost Famous, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 54 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • Made in 1978: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

A chronicle of the rise and brief career of rock 'n' roll star Buddy Holly, who aspires to play music the way he wants it to sound. Holly and his band, the Crickets, are first invited to record in Nashville, where they encounter creative differences with the producing staff. Later they play a major booking at the Apollo Theater, scheduled there under the mistaken assumption that they're a black band. Holly's career eventually goes solo -- until the tragic day the music dies.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.1 out of 10

  • AwardsStrong

    Won 1 Oscar: Best Original Song Score. Also nominated for 2 more Oscars.

  • Box office & staying powerStrong

    $14 million worldwide on a $1 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 117K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Steve Rash

  • Gary BuseyBuddy Holly
  • Don StroudJesse Charles
  • Charles Martin SmithRay Bob Simmons
  • Conrad JanisRoss Turner
  • William JordanRiley
  • Maria RichwineMaria Elena Holly
  • Amy JohnstonCindy Lou
  • Dick O'NeillSol Gittler
  • Fred TravalenaMadman Mancuso
  • Neva PattersonMrs. Holly