Review of The Buddy Holly Story (1978) by Tony Medley for tonymedley.com — 19 Feb 2005

An exceptionally good musical biopic with a sensational performancy by Busey.

This review of The Buddy Holly Story (1978) was written by Tony Medley and published by tonymedley.com on 19 Feb 2005.

The Buddy Holly Story has generally received positive reviews.

Was this review helpful?

Yes

More reviews of this movie:

More Reviews of The Buddy Holly Story

Review of The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

By Bruno L (623) on 21 May 2010

Most of the biographical movies about musicians have similar stories, but I thought this one was really good, especially considering the year…

Read Review

Review of The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

By Catherine S (209) on 12 May 2010

Pretty weird to see a young-ish gary busey. He did a pretty good job in this one but he did have some gary busey moments…

Read Review

Review of The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

By Matt H (2,287) on 26 Mar 2015

Solid early modern biopic. There's very little genuine conflict in the movie, but Busey gives his character enough like to keep the movie interesting…

Read Review

Review of The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

By Ryan V (1,568) on 14 Sep 2012

Believe it or not, there was a time when Gary Busey was a respected actor. Even Oscar nominated…

Read Review

Review of The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

By Helena M (211) on 04 Jun 2010

Saw this movie about tragic deaths of outstanding musicians again after three decades and the music is still perfect…

Read Review

Review of The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

By Caleb C (670) on 09 Apr 2011

Rather boring, but not horrible. the music above all else is great here, and Busey seems believable in the role but nothing really memorable here…

Read Review

Review of The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

By The Critic ( (601) on 12 Aug 2012

A consistently compelling telling of one of the music industry's most important figures, 'The Buddy Holly Story' depicts a time when rock 'n…

Read Review

Review of The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

By Rodney E (723) on 16 Dec 2012

As a huge Buddy Holly fan I feel justified in my assessment. Too tame. Get's bogged down in middling factuality. Ignores the rebellion…

Read Review

Review of The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

By Michael Sragow (1,413) for New Yorker (1,403) on 21 Apr 2013

The facts in this pop biography are often hopelessly askew, but the story is carried by the unadulterated power of Gary Busey's original and…

Read Review

Review of The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

By Carlos D (596) on 02 May 2014

Busey at his best,he's the one that keep you entertained,and,if you don't know buddy's life story,well..it will make it more interesting,on…

Read Review

More reviews of this movie

Reviews of Similar Movies

Review of Miss Potter (2006)

By Rickyt. (1) on 10 Jan 2007

A disturbing, forgettable travesty. Renee and Ewan are both terrible…

Read Review

Review of Music Within (2007)

By Tasha Robinson (753) for The A.V. Club (5,644) on 16 Feb 2017

Sheen is often the saving grace of Music Within, thanks to an aggressively profane wit that gives an otherwise tapioca-bland story a little edge…

Read Review

Review of The Girl Next Door (2007)

By Joef. (3) on 21 Feb 2008

Irresponsibly exploitive and feebly made. Only harry potter abuses its child actors more…

Read Review

Review of Jem and the Holograms (2015)

By Them3Memaster (1) on 28 Oct 2015

Why? Why in all of god would you reboot something that was amazing and make it trash…

Read Review

Review of Play Misty for Me (1971)

By Nancy The Shieldmaiden (57) on 13 Oct 2008

I thought this was so bad I couldn't finish it…

Read Review

Review of Fire in the Sky (1993)

By Diego E (200) on 11 Jul 2010

As pure sci-fi this is boring. As a true history this is bullshit…

Read Review

Review of Purple Rain (1984)

By Luvdamovies (1) on 20 Jul 2011

Purple Rain the movie is really bad. There is no sense in sitting through such garbage to listen to the music by Prince…

Read Review

Review of Gotti (1996)

By Mithun L (17) on 15 Jun 2011

There's so much story here and yet this is almost free of story, what the hell…

Read Review

Review of The King (2007)

By Leigh G (95) on 03 Sep 2008

Yeah yeah, he was gay, we know. maybe they could've focussed a bit more on his career…

Read Review

Review of Bandit Queen (1994)

By Tony B (947) on 16 Apr 2008

Here's a movie I wish I hadn't seen…

Read Review

More Reviews

Popular Movies Right Now

The Menu

2022

70%145 Reviews

Terrifier 2

2022

65%48 Reviews

Past Lives

2023

84%62 Reviews

Everything Everywhere All at Once

2022

78%291 Reviews

Hereditary

2018

72%1,650 Reviews

Dune

2021

77%276 Reviews

The Invitation

2022

47%33 Reviews

Barbie

2023

68%382 Reviews

Alien: Covenant

2017

61%1,909 Reviews

A Simple Favor

2018

69%617 Reviews

Movies You Viewed Recently

The Buddy Holly Story

1978

74%145 Reviews

The Anniversary Party

2001

59%152 Reviews

Young Adam

2003

61%239 Reviews

Funny Face

1957

73%535 Reviews

Outside Providence

1999

64%159 Reviews

Brother Bear 2

2006

61%241 Reviews

Fifty Shades of Grey

2015

43%1,173 Reviews

Fight Club

1999

84%1,021 Reviews

Here Comes the Boom

2012

58%657 Reviews

The Night Before

2015

61%819 Reviews