‘Midnight Cowboy’: How the First R-Rated Best Picture Winner Redefined Hollywood Prestige
Before films like The Godfather redefined Hollywood’s perception of prestige cinema, a different, quietly groundbreaking film broke barriers at the Academy Awards. Midnight Cowboy became the first R-rated film to win Best Picture in 1970, a moment that signaled a shift in the types of stories Hollywood was willing to honor.
A New Era in Cinema
Released during the “New Hollywood” era, Midnight Cowboy, directed by John Schlesinger (Marathon Man, Pacific Heights), represented a departure from the morality tales of Hollywood’s golden age. Based on James Leo Herlihy’s 1965 novel, the film starred Jon Voight in a breakout performance alongside Dustin Hoffman, fresh off his success in The Graduate. The film initially received an X-rating due to its subject matter.
What is ‘Midnight Cowboy’ About?
Midnight Cowboy centers on Joe Buck (Voight), a Texan who travels to New York City with the intention of becoming a male prostitute. Despite his efforts, Joe struggles to find success. He forms an unlikely friendship with Rico “Ratso” Rizzo (Hoffman), a low-life con artist, and the two begin hustling for money and dreaming of a better life in Miami. However, the reality of achieving their dreams proves harsh, impacting them both mentally and physically.
‘Midnight Cowboy’ Is an Unlikely Love Story
The film contrasts with traditional Hollywood romances. Joe, despite his initial self-serving goals, ultimately seeks human connection. He finds it in Rico, who, despite his own flaws, offers Joe support in a chaotic environment. Their relationship, though subtly hinting at homosexuality, is fundamentally about acceptance and finding solace in each other when society rejects them.
Midnight Cowboy arrived on the heels of films like Don Siegel’s 1968 crime thriller, Coogan’s Bluff, featuring Clint Eastwood. While Coogan’s Bluff was a Neo Western, Midnight Cowboy deconstructed the image of the American male hero through Voight’s portrayal of Joe Buck. Joe’s cowboy persona, a reflection of idealized masculinity, is gradually eroded by experiences with homosexuality, drug use, and poverty. His pursuit of fortune and pleasure ultimately leads to disillusionment.
From “X” to “R”
Upon its release in 1969, Midnight Cowboy was initially classified “X.” Director John Schlesinger, as noted in William J. Mann’s Edge of Midnight: The Life of John Schlesinger, accepted the rating, stating they had “made the film for adults, not for children.” Studio United Artists supported the film despite the limitations the “X” rating placed on its distribution and promotion.
During the 1970 Oscar season, the Academy initially refused to consider Midnight Cowboy unless the MPAA reclassified it as “R” by removing a specific scene. Schlesinger refused to make the edit, but the film still received nominations and ultimately won Best Picture. A year later, the MPAA changed the rating to “R” without any edits, reportedly due to the Academy’s reluctance to award Best Picture to an “X”-rated film.
Frequently Asked Questions
What rating did Midnight Cowboy initially receive?
Midnight Cowboy was initially given an X-rating due to its racy subject matter.
Who directed Midnight Cowboy?
John Schlesinger directed Midnight Cowboy.
What other films did John Schlesinger direct?
John Schlesinger also directed Marathon Man and Pacific Heights.
Does the willingness of the Academy to award Midnight Cowboy Best Picture, despite its controversial rating, suggest a broader shift in the types of stories Hollywood was willing to tell and celebrate?