Watch Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo

Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo is a 2009 documentary film that takes the audience on a journey to the Oklahoma State Penitentiary located in McAlester, Oklahoma, where male inmates participate in a unique rodeo event. The film covers the story of a prison rodeo team, its history, and its cowgirls, who are the subject of the documentary.

The documentary begins by introducing the audience to the inmates who participate in the rodeo, which takes place every year in August. Essentially, the rodeo is a showcase of prisoners' ability to tame wild horses and ride bulls, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the country. The prisoners participate in the rodeo with the hopes of getting their sentences reduced and receiving pardons for good behavior. As such, the stakes are high, and the inmates' emotions are intense.

The film's main focus is on the cowgirls who train and perform in the rodeo. The cowgirls are female prisoners who participate in the barrel racing event, where they race around barrels on horseback. Watching these women train and perform in the rodeo is nothing short of inspiring, and the documentary does an excellent job of highlighting their resilience and determination.

One of the primary storylines in the movie follows two friends, Scottie and PJ. Scottie is a cowgirl who has been riding since she was a child but has never competed in a rodeo before. PJ is her best friend, a fellow inmate, and a seasoned rodeo veteran. Scottie is excited and terrified at the same time, while PJ is focused on winning the event. Through their journey, the documentary delves into the complex relationships between the female inmates and their love for the rodeo.

The film also explores the impact of the rodeo on the prisoners' mental and physical wellbeing. For many inmates, the rodeo is a way to escape the monotony of prison life and a chance to prove something to themselves and others. Watching them train and perform provides a glimpse into the prisoners' lives and their struggles.

Another character the documentary focuses on is Danny Liles, the prison's former assistant warden, who was responsible for bringing the rodeo to the prison. Liles is a fascinating personality who is seen as the driving force behind the rodeo's success. His passion and dedication to the inmates and the rodeo are admirable, and his story adds depth to the documentary.

Brandy Witte, a freelance journalist, is also featured in the film. She was responsible for convincing her editors at Sports Illustrated to cover the prison rodeo, which resulted in a feature story that brought national attention to the event. The story helped humanize the prisoners in a way that had never been done before and paved the way for documentaries like Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo.

Overall, Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo is a fascinating documentary that sheds light on an unconventional event that takes place in a place most of us wouldn't go willingly. The documentary is engaging, and the characters are compelling. The film's pacing is excellent, and the soundtrack is fitting. It is a movie that will evoke strong emotional responses from its viewers, whether they are rooting for the inmates, the cowgirls, or the horses. Ultimately, the film provides a powerful commentary on the human experience and the universal need for purpose and fulfillment.

Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 70.