Cast and Crew of Bite the Bullet

Bite the Bullet

"Bite the Bullet" is a captivating western adventure set at the dawn of the 20th century, centering on a grueling 700-mile endurance horse race organized by a newspaper. Among the nine diverse contestants are Sam Clayton (played by Gene Hackman), a seasoned rider, and Miss Jones (portrayed by Candice Bergen), the formidable female competitor. The film explores themes of perseverance, camaraderie, and respect as these individualists from different backgrounds face harsh terrain and personal challenges over several days.

Trivia Facts:
1. Gene Hackman did many of his own riding stunts in the film, adding authenticity to his rugged portrayal of Sam Clayton.
2. The film's endurance race was inspired by real historical long-distance horse races popular in the early 1900s, and some scenes were shot in remote locations to capture the vast, untamed landscapes.
3. Candice Bergen's role as Miss Jones was notable for challenging gender norms of the era, portraying one of the few strong female leads in a predominantly male western race narrative.

Full Cast of Bite the Bullet

Gene Hackman as Sam Clayton

Gene Hackman

Sam Clayton
Candice Bergen as Miss Jones

Candice Bergen

Miss Jones
James Coburn as Luke Matthews

James Coburn

Luke Matthews
Ben Johnson as Mister

Ben Johnson

Mister
Ian Bannen as Sir Harry Norfolk

Ian Bannen

Sir Harry Norfolk
Jan-Michael Vincent as Carbo

Jan-Michael Vincent

Carbo
Dabney Coleman as Jack Parker

Dabney Coleman

Jack Parker
Sally Kirkland as Honey

Sally Kirkland

Honey
Buddy Van Horn as Slim

Buddy Van Horn

Slim
Jean Willes as Rosie

Jean Willes

Rosie
Robert Donner as Reporter

Robert Donner

Reporter

Mario Arteaga

Mexican

Crew of Bite the Bullet

Full backstage crew list →