Bite the Bullet (film)

Bite the Bullet is a 1975 American Western film written and directed by Richard Brooks and starring Gene Hackman, James Coburn, Candice Bergen, Ben Johnson, Ian Bannen, JanMichael Vincent and Dabney Coleman.

The colorful contestants include two former Rough Riders Hackman and Coburn who cant let friendship come between them if they intend to win, a lady of little virtue Bergen, a punk kid Vincent, an old cowhand in poor health Johnson, an English gentleman Bannen whos competing just for the sheer sport of it all, and a Mexican with a toothache Mario Arteaga who literally needs to bite the bullet. All must race against a thoroughbred of championship pedigree owned by a wealthy man Coleman who has no intention of seeing his entry lose.The film touches on the themes of sportsmanship, animal cruelty, the yellow press, racism, the end of the Old West and the bonds of marriage and friendship. As the race progresses, the conditions test not only the endurance of horses and riders but also their philosophies of life and the meaning of victory and defeat. ........

Source: Wikipedia