Silicon Cowboys (2016)

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Not Rated
1h 17min
Documentary, History
16 Sep 2016 (USA)
Movie

6.9 (2,109)

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Three friends dream up the Compaq portable computer at a Texas diner in 1981, and soon find themselves battling mighty IBM for PC supremacy. Their improbable journey altered the future of computing and shaped the world we now know.

Director:

Jason Cohen

Writers:

Jason Cohen, Steven Leckart

Stars:

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination.
See more »

Reviews:

Photos and Videos

Launched in 1982 by three friends in a Houston diner, Compaq Computer set out to build a portable PC to take on IBM, the world's most powerful tech company. Although many others had tried cloning IBM's prized code, only to be trounced by high-priced lawyers, Compaq's vision for a portable PC found startling success, sending shockwaves through the industry and dethroning a tech giant. Directed by Oscar®-nominated director Jason Cohen and produced by Ross Dinerstein ("Jiro Dreams of Sushi"), SILICON COWBOYS charts the unexpected rise (and eventual fall) of Compaq during the booming 1980s PC industry, offering a refreshing and important addition to the familiar narratives of Jobs, Gates, and Zuckerberg.

Still of Rod Canion, Bill Murto and Jim Harris (XIX) in Silicon Cowboys (2016)

Still of Gary Burghoff, Larry Linville and Harry Morgan (I) in Silicon Cowboys (2016)

Still of Bill Gates (I) in Silicon Cowboys (2016)

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13 photos | 2 videos

Cast

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	Rod Canion	...	Self
	Jim Harris	...	Self
	Bill Murto	...	Self
	Bill Fargo	...	Self
	Alec Berg	...	Self
	Christopher Cantwell	...	Self
	Mitch Kapor	...	Self
	John Markoff	...	Self
	Chris Garcia	...	Self
	Bill Aulet	...	Self
	Bob Jackson	...	Self
	Howard Anderson	...	Self
	Ross Cooley	...	Self
	Hugh Barnes	...	Self
	Gary Stimac	...	Self
	Steve Ullrich	...	Self
	Steve Flannigan	...	Self
	Ben Rosen	...	Self
	Mike Swavely	...	Self
	Karen Walker	...	Self
	Charles Lee	...	Self
	Kim Francois	...	Self
	Roger McNamee	...	Self
	Ken Price	...	Self
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
	Steve Ballmer	...	Self (archiveFootage)
	Gary Burghoff	...	Self (archiveFootage)
	Stewart Cheifet	...	Self (archiveFootage)
	John Cleese	...	Self (archiveFootage)
	David Copperfield	...	Self (archiveFootage)
	Lou Dobbs	...	Self (archiveFootage)
	Bill Gates	...	Self (archiveFootage)
	David Graham	...	Self (archiveFootage)
	Peter Jennings	...	Self (archiveFootage)
	Jan Lewis	...	Self (archiveFootage)
	Larry Linville	...	Self (archiveFootage)
	Anya Major	...	Self (archiveFootage)
	Harry Morgan	...	Self (archiveFootage)
	Hakeem Olajuwon	...	Self (archiveFootage)
	The Pointer Sisters	...	Themselves (archiveFootage)
	Ronald Reagan	...	Self (archiveFootage)
	William Shatner	...	Self (archiveFootage)
	Stuart Varney	...	Self (archiveFootage)

Directed by

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Jason Cohen

Written by

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Jason Cohen	...	(written by) and
Steven Leckart	...	(written by)

Produced by

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Jason Cohen	...	executive producer
Ross M. Dinerstein	...	producer
Lydia Dunham	...	co-producer
Samantha Housman	...	executive producer
Steven Leckart	...	co-producer
Glen Zipper	...	producer

Music by

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Ian Hultquist

Cinematography by

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Svetlana Cvetko

Editing by

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Jake Pushinsky

Editorial Department

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Adam Hawkey	...	colorist
William B. Macomber	...	finishing supervisor
Ben Northenor	...	assistant editor
Ed Schuerman	...	finishing producer
Ruben Sebban	...	assistant editor

Sound Department

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Robert Dehn	...	sound studio manager
Josh Ellis	...	sound effects editor
Paul Hollman	...	re-recording mixer
Christopher Mullins	...	sound mixer (as Chris Mullins)

Camera and Electrical Department

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Bora Kim	...	assistant camera
Alvin G. Morris	...	assistant camera / digital imagining technician
Todd Sheridan	...	assistant camera

Animation Department

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Syd Garon

...

title design and animation

Music Department

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Kerri Borsuk	...	music supervisor
Drum & Lace	...	composer: additional music (as Sofia Hultquist)
Xander Singh	...	additional synth programming

Additional Crew

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Zac Bright	...	distribution advisory services
Abdul Choudhury	...	assistant to producer
Colin Frederick	...	post-production coordinator
Elisha Gustafson	...	publicist
David Magdael	...	publicist
Chris Perez	...	clearance counsel
Francisco Sanchez	...	publicity team (as Frank Sanchez)
Lee Meltzer	...	film publicist (uncredited)

Thanks

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Philip Odegard

...

the producers wish to thank (as Philip)

Production Companies

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Distributors

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FilmRise (2016) (World-wide)

Special Effects

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Other Companies

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Storyline

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Plot Keywords	journey science-and-technology-documentary the-future 1980s See All (4) »
Taglines	They risked their future to create ours_ See more »
Genres	Documentary History
Parents Guide	Add content advisory for parents »
Certification	Singapore:PG South Korea:12 United States:Not Rated

Additional Details

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Runtime	77 min
Country	United States
Language	English
Color	Color
Aspect Ratio	1.78 : 1 See more »

Box Office

Opening Weekend United States

$5,724, 16 Sep 2016

Did You Know?

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Trivia	Gary Burghoff, Larry Linville and Harry Morgan all played major characters on MAS*H. See more »
Movie Connections	Features Halt and Catch Fire (2014). See more »
Soundtracks	Houston The Action Town See more »

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